Dianthus - A little history

Dianthus caryophyllus was described by Theophrastus as early as 300 b.c. Deriving the genus name Dianthus from the Greek Dios, divine, and anthem, a flower it was a five-petalled single flower of a pinkness-mauve colour and around one inch in diameter.

In Spain the carnation is called Clavel. Calves de Olar is a clove flavouring and it is thought the name Caryophyllus was given because of the similarity of the dianthus' scent to that of commercial cloves, the unopened buds of Caryophyllus.

Henry Lyte who translated the "Herbal" of Rembrandt Dodoens in 1578, was the first English author to use the name carnation.

Dianthus are lovers of sunshine and alkaline soil barring a few exceptions.