Carnation is a tall, colorful flower with many blossoms. The flowers are from 1 to 3 feet (30 to 91 centimeters) high. They may be blue, pink, purple, red, white, or yellow.
Carnations originally came from southern Europe, but several varieties are grown in the United States, both outdoors and in greenhouses. The carnation may bloom throughout the year, depending on its cultivation and the climate. Carnations are usually raised by planting young shoots from the stems of mature plants, or by bending one of the stems into the ground again so that it forms a new root. Carnation plants require a rich, loamy soil combined with a small amount of manure, leaf mold, and some sand.
Gardeners have raised carnations since ancient times. The flower is often used in bouquets and as a lapel flower. It has traditionally been called the flower of the month of January. The scarlet carnation is the state flower of Ohio.
