Every now and then we like to bring changes to our programme of mostly horticultural matters. Of course the clue was in the title of our latest talk \u201cThe Carnation and Pink in art and culture\u201d yes, we really were talking about art and culture!<\/p>\n
The carnation is a fascinating flower and Twigs Way (that really is her name) described its fascination for artists, writers and people like you and me since time immemorial – Shakespeare called it the \u2018fairest flower of the season. Some believe that the carnation\u2019s name derives from the Latin word \u2018Carnis\u2019 for flesh because of its original colour. Others think that it is from the Latin \u2018corona\u2019 because it was used in wreaths and garlands at Roman festivals. But all agree that the carnation\u2019s botanical name \u2019dianthus\u2019 is from the Greek words \u2018dios\u2019 – God and \u2018anthus\u2019 – flower. Translated it becomes the \u2018divine flower\u2019 – the flower of the gods\u2019<\/p>\n
One myth describes the carnation springing up from the tears of the Madonna. The Carthusian monks appreciated the pink\u2019s beauty for we still call a pretty pink the \u201cCarthusian pink\u2019 because it was first found in the grounds of Carthusian monasteries. Certainly the carnation inspired great artists. Think of Leonardo Da Vinci\u2019s \u2018Madonna of the Carnation\u2019 now housed in a Munich Art Gallery.Then there is Raphael\u2019s \u2018Aldobrandini Madonna\u2019 where the Christ child shares a carnation with the infant John. Search it out in the National Gallery.<\/p>\n
Why is it called a \u2018pink?\u2019 Probably because the edges of the petals look as if they were cut with pinking shears. Remember them? A clove carnation was also called a \u2018gillyflower\u2019 by Chaucer, Spenser and sometimes Shakespeare. But carnations are very much a flower of the 21st century – look up Allwoods Nursery and you will find a host of popular carnations. The nursery was started in 1910 and specialises in pinks and carnations and has the largest collection of dianthus plants in the world! We are told that \u2018pinks make perfect plants for a sunny position, producing scented flowers throughout the summer and can be grown as a cut flower. They can tolerate hot, dry spells and the coldest of winters but are not too keen on getting over watered\u2019. So go on, order Doris, Painted Lady or Mrs Sinkins\u2026.. Impress your friends by telling them that Mrs Sinkins was named after the wife of Mr Sinkins, the Superintendent of Slough workhouse! Honestly! Did you know that the emblematic flower of Slough is still the carnation?<\/p>\n
Once you start looking you will see carnations everywhere – Elizabeth1 was often painted with the flower in her hand, visit many mosques in Turkey and most will be decorated with the lovely Iznik tiles decorated with not only carnations but also roses, tulips, lilies and hyacinths. Americans still love their Mother\u2019s Day cards covered with carnations. Bridegrooms often choose carnations for a buttonhole. Green carnations remind us of Oscar Wilde. Red carnations often mark revolutions e.g. Portugal and Russia.<\/p>\n
Twigs gave many more examples and much more information – a fascinating talk.<\/p>\n
With apologies to Shakespeare – especially Mercurio in Romeo and Juliet\u2026.stay \u2018in the pink\u2019 until next month \u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.<\/p>\n
Mary Duff<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Every now and then we like to bring changes to our programme of mostly horticultural matters. Of course the clue was in the title of our latest talk \u201cThe Carnation and Pink in art and culture\u201d yes, we really were … Continue reading