Fresh Choices BY KATIE VINCENT
NOT YOUR GRANDPARENTS’ CARNATIONS > The public’s perception of carnations is a bit dated. Many people picture a baby pink (or red or white) boutonnière, reminiscent of 1950s proms and weddings. Some remember school-age Valentine grams, while others associate them with bargain bunches in bodegas or gas stations. Their undeserved reputation: antiquated, common, cheap. Breeders of dianthus (carnations’ scientifi c name) know this is far from
the truth. For years, they’ve been creating varieties that look dramatically diff erent from the traditional spheres in a few simple shades. These newer varieties feature a wide range of shapes, sizes, colors and textures. Many look more like specialty fl owers used for texture and movement than those typically worn on a lapel or used for fi ller in a bouquet. “Dianthus off ers diversity, performance and creative possibilities
that have not yet been fully explored,” says Mónica Medina, project manager of Dianthus Land, a marketing initiative founded by seven breeding companies in Colombia that have historically struggled to get new varieties widely into the marketplace because many farms have not wanted to take a commercial risk on an unfamiliar product. “Because they are not widely known, growers hesitate to plant
them,” Medina says. “If they are not planted, they are not available in the market. If they are not available, demand never develops.” The idea behind Dianthus Land is to target those who ultimately
infl uence purchasing decisions from the farms: fl oral designers, retailers, wholesalers and supermarkets. If these buyers become excited about dianthus and begin requesting it, growers will gain confi dence to plant more new varieties. “Breaking the barrier of fear has been key,” Medina says. “Today, there are large growers successfully cultivating these newer lines, and once the market becomes familiar with them, demand grows organically. When consumers experience the product, they respond positively.”
‘STAR CHERRY TESSINO’ La Gaitana Farms
‘STAR FRUITY TESSINO’ La Gaitana Farms
‘RAFFINE PETIT FAYE’ La Gaitana Farms
‘RAFFINE MILOU’ La Gaitana Farms
‘RAFFINE THIA’ La Gaitana Farms
18 FLORAL MANAGEMENT | May/June 2026 |
WWW.SAFNOW.ORG
‘KIWI MELLOW COOL’ Selecta One
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