red carnations: memories, meaning, and modern gardens

When I see red carnations blooming in my garden, I’m instantly transported back to my grandmother’s porch in Ohio. She’d tuck a single carnation behind her ear every Mother’s Day, a tradition I tried to pass on to my own children. But times have changed. My daughter prefers wildflowers and native grasses, saying carnations are too old-fashioned and thirsty for our changing climate. It’s funny how a simple flower can spark such debate. In our community, some neighbors still plant neat rows of carnations, believing in their symbolism of love and remembrance. Others argue that we should focus on drought-tolerant natives, especially after last summer’s heatwave scorched so many traditional gardens. The HOA even sent out a notice about water usage, and suddenly, carnations became a symbol of resistance for some, and wastefulness for others. I can’t help but feel torn. There’s comfort in the familiar scent of carnations, a link to family and the past. But I also understand the push for sustainability and new gardening methods. Maybe there’s room for both—a few cherished carnations for memory’s sake, surrounded by resilient local plants. After all, isn’t gardening about finding beauty in both tradition and change? #carnationdebate #gardeningmemories #climatechange #Gardening