My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Dianthus - Pink, Carnation, Clove Pink, Chinese Pink

Dianthus

Detail of my Pink floral art design

Common name

Pink, Carnation, Clove Pink, Chinese Pink

Origin

Mediterranean

Varieties

There are many varieties available including standard, spray, micro and special varieties

Colors

Originally pinkish purple but the flowers are now available in white, yellow, green, red, purple... an huge amount of colours (mono, frosted or duel) are available and the flowers are also often dyed

Vase life

Up to 14 days

Scent

Unfortunately most carnations grown for cut flowers no longer have a scent but garden and border pinks have a wonderful clove or peppery-floral fragrance

Uses

Create textured low pave design, loose tied bunches or pomanders. Green carnations are popular in St. Patrick's Day designs and pink, red or white(depending on local customes)Carnations for Mother's Day

Conditioning

Buy the flowers when they are still in tight bud. Remove all foliage. Cut the flower stems just above the node. Condition in warm water (with flower food) for at least 2 hours before designing.

Every week I add a new design with related tutorials. Be sure to subscribe to receive an email notification with design inspiration.

Related Designs

30 March 2022 Double water source to keep Carnations hydrated in foliage cones

Quick and easy design... perfect for something tiny to celebrate spring.... everywhere!

30 March 2022 Cone of Gratitude

Sweet spring design to hold some buds

12 May 2021 A radiating, gradient carnation design in a shallow container

A bit of Kenzan support for a floating shallow container design

12 May 2021 It’s up there

Whether it’s a solid foot for floating flowers, the tips of new growth or the curve of a dried twig your design needs help to stay upright.

24 February 2021 Sink a carnation composite flower flat top platform into a vase

The trick of this Tutorial is to create a flat top platform to display Spring blossom twigs- the way it would look on moss in a forest.

24 February 2021 Picked up some proper Pruning

An early Spring design with a twist on using an old favourite: composite flowers.

3 February 2021 Weave a Ceropegia Woodii Vine grid to catch your flowers

Suspend flowers over a water filled container by weaving a natural grid.

3 February 2021 here’s the catch

Weave an all natural net to place over a vase to keep your flowers above water.

18 November 2020 Foam free and flameless cardboard and bark yule log

Using all those cardboard boxes to craft a bark covered "log" design for getting a head start on Christmas decorating.

18 November 2020 Have yourself a Merry Cellulose Fibre Christmas: Yule log

...ok not really that fancy- it’s made from paper pulp. A cardboard box Yule log… really. In the spirit of 2020- I am inspired by the endless stream of cardboard boxes being...

27 May 2020 Skewer and thread a double layer foliage ruffle collar to slip over a bud vase

An easy to do and quick to add decorative detail to dress up contemporary floral designs.

27 May 2020 Take a Stab at it

Skewer a few leaves to turn a single carnation in a bud vase... into an occasion... all by itself!

10 July 2013 Where to cut Carnations or Pinks to condition

Cutting carnations to condition

10 July 2013 Pink

Weave an invisible grid to float the plant material on

20 November 2012 Green Trick Floral Wings

Glue gypsophila sticks, green trick carnations, Star of Bethlehem, passion fruit tendrils, jasmine foliage and string of pearls succulents to create floral wings

20 November 2012 there’s a feeling

Glue snippets of dried green stems and Green Trick Carnation to make tiny floral wings for Christmas

3 April 2012 Designing Body Blooms

Designing Contemporary Floral Accessories and Body Flowers Article in the Canadian Florist Magazine