Wine Carnation?

[paulaKKG]

Ladies of Pi Phi,

I'm hoping you can be of help. As you know, mothers day is rapidly approaching. Every year I buy flowers for my grandmothers. Well, my grandmother-in-law is a Pi Phi and since she and I have bonded over our sorority involvement this year, I wanted to give her wine carnations rather than standard flowers.

Easier said than done. I've had no luck so far. So I thought I would turn to the experts. Can anyone enlighten me as to how I can order these? I can't seem to explain to a florist what I'm looking for, and I couldn't find an online florists that carried any in their listing. Any suggestions?

Thanks!
Paula

[breathesgelatin]

It can be a problem sometimes--wine carnations usually have to be ordered in advance because most florists don't stock them, but I've never had trouble before when I've given enough notice (this could be primarily because I live in a college town where all the florists are aware of sorority flowers). You might have better luck describing them as burgundy carnations or something. I don't know other than that.

[erniegurl00]

It's hard to find a "wine" carnation. I say go to a local florist and find the darkest carnation that you can. If anything, buy a red one and tie a silver blue ribbon around the stem. I'm sure your grandmother won't mind the lack of "wine", but she'll still love the emotion behind the gift!

[dakareng]

Wine carnations do grow here in Texas (I have them in my backyard) but the season is short. In a pinch, white carnations can be dipped or sprayed to make them "wine".... I've never had a florist not know what I wanted when I asked for a wine carnation but have had them ask if dipped was okay.

[angelove]

My chapter used to sometimes use those carnations that were white with dark red/wine around the edges. Again, not exactly the same, but nice. (We would also get white ones sprayed silver blue - not something I'd recommend for sending your grandmother.)

Isn't it nice to have a flower that's not common - sort of like Pi Phis?

[erniegurl00]

Originally posted by angelove
Isn't it nice to have a flower that's not common - sort of like Pi Phis?

I like it. When I first joined I was bummed because it seemed like a lot of sororities claim the carnation, but we have our own color. AND, I've grown to like carnations the best, even more than roses! Carnations are not only pretty, but they also last longer than any other flower I've seen!

[carnation]

Yeah, and if you trim an inch or so off the end every day, they REALLY live a long time!