The Reincarnation of Carnations

Flowers of Affection

Long considered to be a "filler flower," carnations are now taking center stage in flower arranging when they are grouped en masse. Available in a multitude of shades, the carnation's ruffled appearance, clovelike scent, and long-lasting blooms make it the perfect choice for creative and cost-efficient flower arranging.

Buying Tips

•Carnations are readily available at local grocery stores and florists. Typically only a few colors are displayed, so feel free to ask for the special colors you desire to be ordered.

•Carnations usually come in bundles of 20 to 25 flowers. To determine the amount of flowers needed, consider flower-head size and amount of space to be covered.

•This durable flower can be gently opened to easily cover more surface area of an arrangement.

A Fruity Flavor

Materials
•Medium-size watermelon
•Florist foam
•Chicken wire
•Florist picks
•Magenta carnations
•Assorted fruit (such as lady apples and grapes), small flowers, and berries

Cut the top few inches off of a watermelon, and remove the pulp. Tightly fill the melon cavity with soaked florist foam that is covered in chicken wire. Cut carnation stems in various heights from 2 to 4 inches in length. Starting from the center with the tallest stems, insert flowers to almost completely cover opening. Then arrange grapes and lady apples in open spaces using florist picks. Add a few berries or other small flowers as accents.

It’s Movie Time

Welcome friends to a "night at the movies" with creative arrangements of mini carnations in white with a pop of pale yellow. Plastic popcorn holders can be found at many variety and discount stores, or try the paper ones (the arrangement will need to be set in a plastic bag to retain the water).

Materials
•Plastic popcorn buckets
•Florist foam
•White and pale yellow mini carnations

Fill container with soaked florist foam, and tape in place. Cut stems approximately 1 inch in length, and form a tight ball of white blooms to cover the entire surface. Scatter a few yellow mini carnations throughout, as desired. Repeat the process for multiple containers.

Oh-So Simple

Materials
•Simple vase with small opening
•Florist wire
•Mini white carnations
•Stem of eucalyptus

Smaller flowers staked to a tall stem adds vertical interest to arrangements. Gather a few mini carnations with a sprig of sweet-smelling eucalyptus, and use medium-gauge florist wire to wrap the bundle. This creates a simple, elegant, and artistic presentation.

A Saucy Combination

Hot pink carnations tightly grouped in a piece of blue-and-white china present a bright and cheery combination. Kumquats and berries add a bold accent of color and texture.

Materials
• Choice of container
•Florist foam
•Chicken wire
•Florist tape
•Florist picks
•Hot pink carnations
•Assorted berries and kumquats

To prepare the container, fill it with an appropriately sized piece of soaked florist foam covered in a piece of chicken wire and secured with florist tape. Arrange flowers to cover the entire opening. Using florist picks as supports, place kumquats in small groupings. Add a spray or two of berries.

Have a Ball

Materials
•Round florist foam
•Florist tape
•Green and white carnations

Alternate pale green and white carnations to create a pleasing combination. Simply cut stems to approximately 1 1/2 inches in length, and stick them into well-soaked florist foam that has been wrapped in a cross pattern with florist tape.

Place covered balls on an urn or small pedestal. To create a dramatic effect, group several sizes of balls at various heights.

Let There Be Light

Hurricane glass lanterns make a perfect centerpiece for dining indoors or out. The glass globes can easily be found at home or hobby stores.

Materials
•Round tray or flat container
•Florist ring (to fit container)
•Florist pins
•14-inch hurricane glass
•6-inch pillar candle
•Pale green carnations
•Eucalyptus branches
•Assorted berries

To make the surrounding wreath arrangement, place a soaked florist ring in a circular tray. Lace eucalyptus branches loosely around ring, securing with florist pins. Cut stems of carnations to approximately 1 1/2 inch in length, and surround the ring in a zigzag pattern. Fill in open spaces with berries and a few additional eucalyptus branches.

Bold Color, Versatile Shape

Materials
•Purple carnations (in varying shades)
•4 same-size square containers
•Florist foam

Begin with four bunches of two colors of carnations. Then, using four equally sized boxes filled with soaked florist foam, assemble the arrangements by cutting each carnation stem to 1 to 2 inches in length. Start on the outside edge of each box, and insert flowers around the entire perimeter. Begin another row inside the first until the box is completely filled in.

Contemporary Display

Materials:
•Red, orange, and yellow carnations
•3 flowerpots
•Florist wire
•Raffia
•Florist foam
•Polished black rocks

Simply strip the stems of the carnations' small leaves, and bunch them together tightly. Secure with florist wire. Add raffia ribbon in a cross-way pattern. Push bunches of flowers firmly into brightly colored pots of florist foam, and top them off with polished black rocks.

Design and Styling by Molly Clark