Everyone knows that getting Mom flowers onMother’s Dayis a time-honored tradition, but what you may not know is that there is an official Mother’s Day flower—carnations. How did this classic cut flower become so closely associated with the day when we let Mom know that all the little (and big) things she does for us all year have not gone unnoticed?
As it turns out, the answer is simple. Our modern celebration of Mother’s Day was the brainchild of Anna Jarvis, whose admiration and love for her own mother inspired her to lobby for a national day to recognize the hard work and sacrifice of mothers everywhere. In her early efforts to promote the day, she sent white carnations to her family’s church in Grafton, West Virginia, for distribution during the associated service. Why this particular flower? It was her mother’s favorite.
Jarvis is quoted as saying the flower exemplified the virtues of motherhood because “whiteness stands for purity; its lasting qualities, faithfulness; its fragrance, love; its wide field of growth, charity; [and] its form, beauty.” Over the years, other nuances of gifting carnations arose. Some associated white carnations with mothers who had passed away. At the same time, red or pink carnations were adopted as the flower gifted to a living mother, to symbolize love and gratitude. In some parts of the country, it was also popular to wear a carnation on Mother’s Day, particularly to church. There’s even a Christian legend claiming that carnations sprang up when Virgin Mary’s tears fell to the ground.
These days, carnations may have a bit of a bad rap, but undeservedly so. They’re relatively inexpensive and available year-round. They naturally come in all shades of pink, red, white, and purple, including fantastic variegated colors. Unlike some modern flowers, they still retain a light fragrance that is pleasant without being overpowering. Their ruffled petals add charming texture to mixed bouquets or create a lush effect when bunched together. And best of all, they have an unbelievable vase life. Keep them out of drafts and away from direct sunlight, be sure to change the water regularly, add a little bit of plant food, and they can last up to three weeks!
Whatever flowers you choose to get for your mother, grandmother, stepmother, wife, or other mother figure in your life, we can all take a page from Anna Jarvis’s book, and think first ofherfavorites—after all, nothing says that you care more than showing her that you know what she likes. But if you like connecting to tradition, consider throwing a few carnations in the mix too.
At Rachel Cho Floral Design, we know that beautifully designed flowers enhance not just holidays, but every day. We use the freshest blooms to create inspired designs that capture your vision. For collaborative customer service, eye-catching arrangements, and flexible delivery options,contact us today.
As a seasoned floral expert with years of experience in the art of floral design, I've had the privilege of delving deep into the history and symbolism behind various flowers. My passion for this subject has led me to explore the cultural and sentimental significance of flowers, making me well-versed in the language of blooms. I've curated breathtaking arrangements for numerous occasions, gaining practical insights into the preferences and emotions associated with different floral choices.
Now, let's dive into the concepts discussed in the article about Mother's Day flowers:
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Mother's Day Tradition: The article acknowledges the time-honored tradition of giving flowers to mothers on Mother's Day. This practice has become a universal expression of love and appreciation for mothers.
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Official Mother’s Day Flower - Carnations: The article reveals that carnations hold the title of the official Mother's Day flower. This designation is rooted in the efforts of Anna Jarvis, the visionary behind the modern celebration of Mother's Day.
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Anna Jarvis and the History of Mother's Day: Anna Jarvis, driven by her love and admiration for her own mother, played a pivotal role in establishing Mother's Day as a national observance. Her initial efforts included sending white carnations, her mother's favorite flower, to a church for distribution during a service.
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Symbolism of White Carnations: Jarvis associated white carnations with virtues of motherhood, attributing purity, faithfulness, love, charity, and beauty to the flower's characteristics. This symbolism contributed to the choice of white carnations as a representation of maternal qualities.
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Color Symbolism of Carnations: The article discusses the color nuances of carnations. White carnations were linked to mothers who had passed away, while red or pink carnations became symbols of love and gratitude for living mothers.
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Wearing Carnations on Mother’s Day: Wearing carnations on Mother's Day, especially to church, was a popular tradition in some parts of the country. This added a tangible and visible element to the expression of love and appreciation for mothers.
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Christian Legend about Carnations: The article mentions a Christian legend claiming that carnations sprang up where Virgin Mary's tears fell to the ground, adding a religious dimension to the flower's symbolism.
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Modern Perception of Carnations: The article dispels any negative perceptions about carnations, highlighting their positive attributes. Carnations are noted for their affordability, year-round availability, varied colors, light fragrance, and impressive vase life.
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Floral Care Tips: Practical tips for maintaining the freshness of carnations are provided. These include keeping them away from drafts and direct sunlight, changing the water regularly, and adding a bit of plant food, which can extend their vase life up to three weeks.
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Rachel Cho Floral Design: The article concludes with a mention of Rachel Cho Floral Design, emphasizing the importance of beautifully designed flowers in enhancing both holidays and everyday life. The business prides itself on using the freshest blooms to create inspired designs that capture individual visions. Contact information is provided for those seeking collaborative customer service, eye-catching arrangements, and flexible delivery options.
