Lynn McGinnis

Mother’s Day is an occasion to honor and appreciate the most important woman in our lives, our mothers. It is a day to express our gratitude and love towards them for all the sacrifices they have made for us. One of the most popular ways to do so is by gifting them with flowers.

Flowers are a symbol of love and appreciation. They are a beautiful and thoughtful way to express our feelings towards someone special. For centuries, flowers have been used as gifts to express emotions and sentiments. In fact, the tradition of giving flowers on Mother’s Day dates back to ancient Greece, where they celebrated a festival in honor of the mother of gods, Rhea.

Carnations, the flower most closely associated with Mother’s Day, have woven their vibrant hues and rich symbolism into the fabric of contemporary culture and events, playing pivotal roles in celebrations and social movements around the globe.

One of the most well-known stories of the carnation flower meaning has to do with the flower’s symbolism of a mother’s love. In Christianity, when the Virgin Mary saw Jesus carrying his cross before he was to be crucified, she wept, and her tears caused carnations to sprout from the ground. Because of this, pink carnations are meant to represent a mother’s undying love.

In 1907, carnations became the official flower of Mother’s Day. Anna Jarvis, the founder of Mother’s Day, selected carnations because they were her mother’s favorite flower and to her symbolized the purity of a mother’s love. On the first Mother’s Day, Jarvis sought to memorialize her recently deceased mother by sending 500 white carnations to the church where her mother had taught Sunday school. Largely in part of Anna Jarvis’ advocating in favor of, in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson declared the second Sunday of May as Mother’s Day in the United States.

A few words to describe carnations are thoughtful, tasteful, dynamic, durable yet delicate, unique, fascinating, fluffy, and fragrant. Much like most of our mothers! Carnations are herbaceous perennials, meaning the roots of carnations survive throughout the year resulting in fresh blooms each spring and summer. They offer a mild spicy or peppery clove-like aroma that is utilized in some perfumes. The appearance of carnations is unforgettable and unlike many other common blooms. Some say that the petals of carnations look as though they were cut with pinking shears, which has led to their nickname “clove pink.” The layered petals of carnations are ruffled and full, making them stand-out, eye-catching flowers.

Carnations are a beautiful symbol of love, devotion, passion, commitment, distinction, fascination, and most notably on Mother’s Day – a mother’s undying love.

The Smith County Master Gardeners wish you all a Happy Mother’s Day. Enjoy your special day!