What is the difference between a carnation and a pink?

This is a question we're frequently asked and the confusion is understandable as both flowers look similar.

They're members of the genus Dianthus and therefore closely related but whereas carnations have been bred for length, size of flower head and brightness of colour, pinks breeders have concentrated on scent and more delicate shades.

Pinks are a quintessential English flower. They appear in a number of Elizabethan paintings and in the planting schemes of the formal, geometric gardens of the time and have remained a favourite of gardeners ever since.  The name 'pinks' doesn't actually come from the colour, it refers to the zigzag edge of the petals, like the pattern given by pinking shears. 

Carnations are the pinks' bigger, brasher cousin. In both the spray type, with many flower heads on the same stem, or the stem type, with one flower per stem, the flower heads are bigger.

Carnations also come in a range of bright colours but the vast majority have no scent.

In the late spring and early autumn you might see we have carnations available. These carnations are not Scilly grown but brought in so we have flowers for you to send between our main crops.

So which is our favourite? Well as we specialise in growing scented flowers you can probably guess the answer! With their delicate shades, pretty petals, subtle perfume and heritage it has to be scented pinks every time.