{"id":20265,"date":"2024-05-17T08:00:22","date_gmt":"2024-05-17T06:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/pretoria\/?p=20265"},"modified":"2024-05-15T10:24:35","modified_gmt":"2024-05-15T08:24:35","slug":"spread-the-love-around","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/pretoria\/blog\/2024\/05\/17\/spread-the-love-around\/","title":{"rendered":"Spread the love around"},"content":{"rendered":"

The names say it all: \u00a0\u2018Pink Kisses,\u2019 \u2018 Early\u00a0 Love,\u2019 \u2018I love You\u2019 and\u2019 \u2018Purple Wedding.\u2019 \u00a0These pretty and petite pot carnations in romantic shades of pink, blush and purple, come from centuries of cultivation.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The association of carnations with love, fascination and distinction goes back some 2000 years, when they were named \u2018the flower of the gods\u2019 by Greek philosopher Theophrastus.<\/p>\n

Like roses, many myths and legends surround the carnation, reinforcing its association with romance. They are woven into wedding bouquets and celebratory wreaths and are worn in buttonholes.<\/p>\n

Pot carnations\u2026what\u2019s to like<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Carnation \u2018Pink Kisses\u2019<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Modern pot carnations are compact and bushy, producing masses of bicoloured double flowers above grey-green stems and leaves. They can be planted as a showy border, are ideal for gravel gardens, and are hardy plants for patio containers and hanging baskets. They are perfect gift plants and can be grown indoors.<\/p>\n

Unlike the older, taller carnation varieties that need staking and pinching, pot carnations don\u2019t have to be fussed over.<\/p>\n

Take your pick<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2018Pink Kisses\u2019 <\/strong>produces long-lasting tiny, bicolour flowers in sugar pink with a darker pink centre and a delicious fragrance. Plants grow up to 35 cm high and wide, and the pickable blooms are long lasting.<\/p>\n

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Carnation \u2018I Love You\u2019<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018I Love You\u2019<\/strong> is a living bouquet in shades of deep pink, soft pink and rose through to white, as the flowers change colour as they mature. Butterflies, bees and other pollinators love this fragrant carnation. It\u2019s a frost tolerant carnation that works well both indoors and outdoors.<\/p>\n

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Carnation \u2018Purple Wedding\u2019.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018Purple Wedding\u2019 <\/strong>has single flowers in shades of pink and purple, with a frilly white edging. The flowers cover this compact plant so that it looks like a bouquet but lasts a lot longer. When grown indoors or on the patio it needs plenty of bright light. As a garden plant it stands out as an edging for a bed, in full sun to semi-shade.<\/p>\n

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Carnation \u2018Early Love\u2019<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018Early Love\u2018 <\/strong>has large, double blooms with a frilled centre. The blooms take on a deep red hue, and the dark eye adds to their sense of mystery and allure. The large flowers are carried on short stems so that the plant resembles a flower bouquet.<\/p>\n

Easy to grow<\/strong><\/p>\n