Carnations carry a quiet significance that few other flowers can match. For centuries, they have symbolised deep affection, admiration and gratitude—emotions that sit at the heart of meaningful gift-giving. Their ruffled petals and subtle, spicy-sweet fragrance evoke warmth without overwhelming, making them equally suited to joyful celebrations and more reflective moments.
What sets carnations apart is their versatility. A red carnation speaks of love and devotion; a white one offers purity and remembrance; pink conveys a mother's enduring affection. This nuanced language of colour allows you to tailor your message with precision, whether you're marking a milestone birthday, expressing heartfelt thanks, or honouring a cherished memory. Unlike showier blooms that demand attention, carnations complement the sentiment rather than compete with it—a quality that makes them genuinely special.
Carnations suit an exceptionally broad range of occasions, which is precisely why they remain a cornerstone of British floristry. Consider them when you want to:
Celebrate personal milestones – birthdays, anniversaries, graduations and retirements all benefit from the cheerful yet dignified presence of carnations.
Say thank you – their association with gratitude makes them a natural choice for teachers, carers, colleagues and anyone who deserves recognition.
Mark Mother's Day or Father's Day – pink carnations, in particular, have long been linked to parental love.
Offer sympathy – white and pale-toned carnations convey respect and remembrance with understated elegance, making them appropriate for funeral tributes and condolence gestures.
Brighten everyday moments – because of their affordability and longevity, carnations work beautifully as a spontaneous "just because" gift that doesn't require a grand excuse.
If you're uncertain which flower to choose, carnations are rarely the wrong answer. Their adaptability removes the guesswork and ensures your gesture lands with sincerity.
Each of our carnation bouquets is assembled by experienced florists who understand how to showcase this classic bloom to its best advantage. A typical arrangement begins with a generous foundation of fresh carnation stems—often between seven and fifteen, depending on the size you select—chosen for their tight, healthy heads and vibrant colour.
To add depth and texture, our florists introduce complementary elements: delicate gypsophila for an airy, romantic feel; eucalyptus or ruscus for structured greenery; and occasional accent blooms such as spray roses or alstroemeria to create visual interest without overshadowing the carnations themselves. The result is a balanced, professional composition that feels abundant yet harmonious.
Every bouquet is hand-tied using raffia or ribbon and wrapped in our signature packaging, ready to impress the moment it arrives at its destination.
Carnations speak a subtle language through colour, and choosing the right shade adds an extra layer of thoughtfulness to your gift.
Red – passionate love and deep admiration; ideal for romantic occasions or expressing heartfelt devotion.
Pink – gratitude, warmth and maternal affection; the traditional choice for Mother's Day and thank-you gestures.
White – purity, innocence and remembrance; appropriate for weddings, christenings and sympathy tributes.
Purple – capriciousness and whimsy, but also a sense of intrigue; a distinctive option for someone with unconventional taste.
Yellow – joy, friendship and optimism; perfect for cheerful celebrations or lifting someone's spirits.
Mixed hues – a multi-coloured arrangement conveys general good wishes and works well when you want to celebrate without a specific symbolic message.
When in doubt, consider the recipient's personality and the tone of your message. A single-colour bouquet delivers a focused sentiment, while a vibrant mix radiates exuberance.
We offer three size options to match your occasion and budget:
Small – a charming, compact arrangement featuring around seven to nine stems. It's ideal for desk displays, bedside tables or as a thoughtful "thinking of you" gesture. Dimensions are typically 25–30 cm in height once arranged.
Medium – our most popular choice, containing approximately twelve to fifteen stems with fuller greenery. This size makes a confident impression for birthdays, thank-you gifts and other personal celebrations. Expect a finished height of around 35–40 cm.
Large – a showstopping bouquet with eighteen or more stems and generous foliage, suited to milestone events, grand romantic gestures or corporate gifts where impact matters. Heights often reach 45 cm or more.
All sizes are designed to look beautifully proportioned in standard vases, though we also offer the option to add a vase at checkout if the recipient may need one.
Carnations are naturally long-lasting, but we take extra steps to ensure yours arrive in peak condition. Our buying team sources stems from trusted growers renowned for quality, selecting only blooms with firm, unblemished heads and strong, straight stems.
Once in our care, flowers are stored in climate-controlled conditions and hydrated continuously until dispatch. When your bouquet is prepared, each stem is placed in a water reservoir or hydrating gel wrap to maintain moisture throughout transit. Protective outer packaging shields the petals from damage, so your carnations emerge looking exactly as our florists intended.
Every order is backed by our five-day freshness guarantee. If your flowers fail to meet expectations upon arrival, we will arrange a replacement or refund—no quibble, no fuss.
We make receiving fresh flowers as convenient as sending them:
Three-hour delivery in London – order before 6 pm and we can have your carnations hand-delivered within three hours, ideal for last-minute occasions or same-day surprises.
Standard timed slots in London – choose a morning (8 am–12 pm) or afternoon (12 pm–6 pm) window for greater predictability when timing matters.
Next-day delivery UK-wide – place your order before the cut-off time and your bouquet will arrive the following day to addresses throughout England, Scotland and Wales.
During peak periods—Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and the Christmas season—we recommend ordering a day or two in advance to guarantee your preferred slot. Our tracking updates keep you informed at every stage, so both you and the recipient know exactly when to expect the flowers.
With a little attention, carnations can remain vibrant for up to two weeks or longer. Follow these simple steps:
1. Trim the stems – using sharp scissors or a knife, cut approximately 2–3 cm from the base at a diagonal angle. This increases the surface area for water uptake.
2. Remove lower foliage – strip any leaves that would sit below the waterline to prevent bacterial growth.
3. Use fresh, cool water – fill a clean vase and add the flower food sachet included with your bouquet.
4. Change the water regularly – every two to three days, replace the water and re-trim the stems by a centimetre to keep them drinking efficiently.
5. Position wisely – place your vase away from direct sunlight, radiators and ripening fruit, all of which accelerate wilting.
These quick habits will help your carnations look their best for as long as possible.
Carnations pair effortlessly with a range of complementary gifts, allowing you to create a memorable package in a single order:
Chocolates – a box of fine British truffles or Belgian pralines adds indulgence to any floral gesture.
Candles – scented candles extend the sensory experience, especially when chosen in complementary fragrances such as vanilla or rose.
Prosecco or wine – for celebratory moments, a bottle elevates your bouquet into a full gift hamper.
Soft toys – a plush bear or bunny makes the delivery extra special for children or anyone young at heart.
Greeting cards – personalise your message with our free card option, including AI-assisted wording if inspiration runs short.
All add-ons are presented alongside your bouquet in coordinated packaging, so everything arrives together as one beautifully curated gift.
If carnations bring you joy once, imagine having them arrive on your doorstep week after week or month after month. Our flower subscription service lets you do exactly that—ensuring a steady supply of fresh blooms without the need to reorder each time.
Who benefits most?
- Busy professionals who appreciate one less task on their to-do list. - Households that love having flowers at home but sometimes forget to buy them. - Businesses, salons and offices seeking reliable floral décor. - Gift-givers who want to treat someone to months of recurring happiness.
Subscriptions are fully flexible: pause, skip or cancel at any time with no penalty. You choose the frequency (weekly, fortnightly or monthly) and the size, and we handle the rest—hand-selecting seasonal carnation arrangements so every delivery feels fresh and exciting.
Every bouquet is individually priced, and you'll see the exact figure on each product card before you buy. Across our range, bouquets typically start from around £25.90, with larger or more elaborate designs costing more. All prices include VAT.
The final total reflects the size and design you choose, plus any extras such as chocolates, a candle or balloons, and the delivery option for the recipient's postcode. Some bouquets are shown with free shipping, while same-day or urgent slots may carry a fee.
You'll see the full cost of the bouquet, any add-ons and delivery at checkout, once you've selected a delivery date and entered the postcode.
With proper care, our flowers usually stay fresh for up to 12 days, and carnations are well known for their long vase life. Every order includes care instructions so you can keep them looking their best.
Their longevity is also backed by our 7-day freshness guarantee, so if they fade sooner than expected, get in touch and we'll put it right.
To get the most from them, stand the bouquet in clean water away from direct heat and sunlight, trim the stems and change the water regularly. The full guidance comes with your delivery.
We deliver to most areas across the UK, every day of the year including weekends and bank holidays. The one exception is Northern Ireland, which we don't currently cover.
Delivery options are matched automatically to the recipient's postcode as you order, so you'll see what's available for that address, whether that's same-day, next-day or a future date, before you pay.
In London we deliver using our own drivers and couriers; elsewhere in the UK we use Royal Mail Tracked and other trusted couriers. Enter the recipient's postcode to confirm the options for them.
Yes, same-day delivery is available in many areas when you order in time. In London we offer same-day delivery in three-hour slots running through to midnight, including an urgent option for the next available slot.
Outside London, same-day delivery applies to orders placed before 15:00, and it isn't offered on Sundays. After that cut-off, the earliest option is usually next-day.
Availability always depends on the recipient's postcode and when you order, so the exact slots are confirmed at checkout once you've entered the address.
Delivery cost depends on the recipient's location and how quickly you need the flowers to arrive, and many bouquets are shown with free shipping on their product card.
In London, standard same-day delivery starts from £8, and an urgent slot for the nearest available time is from £15. Outside London, same-day delivery (ordered before 15:00, excluding Sundays) and next-day delivery each start from £5.
The exact charge is worked out from the postcode and option you choose, and it's shown clearly at checkout before you pay. All prices include VAT.
You can. Once your carnation bouquet has been hand-tied by our florists, we send a photo of the actual arrangement before it goes out for delivery.
If you'd like something changed, let us know and we'll adjust it where we can before dispatch. It's also a good chance to check the size and overall look match what you had in mind.
The photos on each product card reflect real arrangement sizes, with measurements given in centimetres, and the image usually shows the Medium size as a guide.
The colours and varieties on offer are shown on each product card, so you can see exactly what a bouquet contains before ordering. Carnations come in a broad range of shades, from soft pastels to vivid tones.
Because every bouquet is assembled by hand from seasonal stock, the precise mix can vary slightly. If a particular flower is hard to source, we may substitute one of equivalent value and quality, keeping to the overall look and colour wherever possible.
If you have a specific shade in mind, our team is happy to help; contact us before ordering and we'll advise on the closest match.
Carnations suit a wide range of occasions, which is part of their appeal. We see them chosen for birthdays, anniversaries, thank-you gestures, get-well wishes and thinking-of-you moments, as well as for sympathy and funeral tributes.
You can browse by occasion across our site and add a personalised greeting card to match the moment. Every order is anonymous by default, so your name appears only if you include it in the card message.
If you're not sure what fits, tell us a little about the occasion and we'll suggest a suitable bouquet.
Hand-tied is our main format: the stems are arranged and tied by hand, ready to place straight into a vase on arrival. Most of our carnation bouquets are prepared this way.
Letterbox flowers are a more compact format, packed to fit through a standard letterbox. They're useful when the recipient might not be home, as no one needs to be there to take delivery at the door.
Each product card shows the format, so you can choose what works best for the recipient and how you'd like the flowers to arrive.
At checkout you can add a greeting card with your own message, plus extras such as chocolates, a hamper, a candle, a soft toy or balloons.
Do bear in mind that orders are anonymous by default, so the recipient won't know who sent the flowers unless you sign the card message yourself.
Add-ons appear alongside the bouquet as you order, so you can build the gift and see the full total before paying.
You can cancel for a full refund within 30 minutes of placing your order. After that, cancellation may not be possible, because as a fresh, made-to-order product your bouquet may already be in preparation.
If you need to change delivery details, contact us as soon as you can and we'll update them where the order hasn't yet been dispatched. The sooner you reach us, the more we can do.
For anything time-sensitive, phone or WhatsApp is the quickest way to reach our team, which is available around the clock.
Contact us and we'll make it right. We accept quality claims for up to 30 days after delivery, and our 7-day freshness guarantee covers flowers that don't last as they should.
To look into a claim, we'll ask for clear photos, your order reference and the delivery details. We review claims within 5 business days, and any refund to your original payment method is usually processed within 5 to 10 business days.
Depending on the case, we can arrange a replacement delivery or a full or partial refund. The quickest way to start is to reach us by phone, email or WhatsApp with the photos and your order number.
Yes. You can place an order from anywhere in the world for delivery to a UK address, as our site and payment system support international orders.
We accept PayPal, Klarna, Apple Pay and Google Pay, along with major cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express and others) through Shopify Payments, and every transaction runs through a secure, PCI DSS compliant gateway with 3D Secure. Available cards can vary according to your region and card issuer. Prices are shown inclusive of VAT.
Just enter the recipient's UK postcode at checkout to see the delivery options and timing for that address.