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Annuals/Carnations

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Expert: - 6/19/2006


Question
I was wondering if carnation varities can be both perannuauls and annuals, and how can you tell the differents when buying?

Thank you, Carol

Answer
Carnations that we see in the florist are actually tender perennials, Carol - they are "tender" because if exposed to freezing temperatures they do not survive; they are "perennials" because if they are growing in one of those very pleasant non freezing climates they come back every year.  

Related very closely to those are the perennial Dianthus, which are smaller, shorter, non-cutting kinds that are hardy (they will NOT die if exposed to freezing temperatures, the opposite of tender) on Long Island where I live and garden.

The difference is that the tall larger Carnations are not hardy; the short ones about as tall as your hand are hardy.

These are all quite fragrant and if you can grow them at home - you did not mention where you live - you will notice a very strong clove fragrance that is more pronounced than the ones from the florist, where refrigerated storage diluates and finally erases all signs of fragrance.

I refer you to The Gardener's Network (http://www.gardenersnet.com/flower/) where they have posted some serious advice for anyone who wants to grow these.  They are not difficult by the way.  And you can grow them under lights if you really can't bear the thought of not having them in your gardening repertoire!  Growing them from seed - piece of cake.

Annuals

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Long Island Gardener

Expertise

Decisions, decisions... If you can't make up your mind which Annuals to grow, you're not alone. Problem with your new flowering Annuals flats? I`ve been there, done that. Petunias, Sweet Alyssum, Larkspur, Marine Blue Lobelia -- they all grow here at my house on Garden Street on Long Island, N.Y.. Cutting and Cottage Gardens, Sun and Shade Gardens, White Gardens and Night Gardens, I`ve done them all. Annuals are the perfect summer flower, bursting with color June through fall's first frost. I can`t speak on Cactus or tender Tropical Plants -- they don`t grow outside in my Zone 7. I`m no Farmer, so I cannot guide you on Fruits and Vegetables. But whether it`s an Annual you want to start from seed, mail-order or pick up at your local garden center, I can help you grow amazing blooms this Summer. Yes, together, we can turn your neighbors green with envy.

Experience

I have a lifetime of gardening behind me here on the North Shore of Long Island. While I have degrees in related fields, there's nothing like hands-on work to build real knowledge. I stay on top of current science -- there's a boom in research, and Kingdom Plantae is filled with surprises. By the way, I really do live on Garden Street.

Publications
Gannett newspapers, The New York Times, and hundreds of others - but not on Annuals.

Education/Credentials
B.A., botany; graduate credits in European Intellectual History and Political Science; minor coursework in related fields, docent training at our local botanical gardens (required for volunteers). I'm currently working on an advanced biochemistry degree.

Awards and Honors
I could tell you, but then you'd know who I am.

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