The carnation, also known as dianthus caryophyllus, is a herbaceous perennial plant that grows up to a height of 80cm. The cut stalks typically range from 40cm to 50cm. It is one of the oldest cultivated flower with a history of up to 2000 years. The original colour of the carnation is a bright pinkish-purple but today many more colours have been developed; you can find the bloom in white, pink or red, and in recent years in more unusual hues like caramel, brown and apple-tea. Traditionally perceived as flowers suitable to communicate maternal love, the carnation is now increasingly used in premium all-occasion bouquets because of the new colours cultivated.