What About Carnations? A Florist's Honest Answer
Carnations are a very good choice in many situations: they last two weeks or more in a vase, come in dozens of colours and look elegant when arranged well. The one thing to know before giving them in Russia is that classic red carnations are strongly linked with Victory Day on 9 May, war memorials and official ceremonies, so the colour and the occasion matter more than with most flowers.
"What about carnations" is a question we hear at the counter of our Saint Petersburg shops almost every day, usually from someone who has just been told that carnations are "old-fashioned" or "only for veterans". Neither is true for modern varieties. Below we go through the associations, the colours that work for everyday gifts, the number of stems, care at home and how to order a carnation bouquet to Russia.
Why carnations have a mixed reputation in Russia
For several generations the red carnation was the official flower of the Soviet state. It was carried at parades, laid at monuments and handed to veterans, and it remains the main flower of 9 May today. Many people over fifty still connect a bunch of red carnations with solemn occasions, and some associate them with funerals as well, especially when the stems come in an even number. Our article on the victory flower explains this history in more detail.
The second reason for the reputation is purely visual. For decades carnations were sold in thin bunches of identical red stems wrapped in cellophane, and that image stuck. It has little to do with what carnations look like now: spray carnations with several small heads per stem, two-tone and fringed varieties, and soft shades of blush, cream, lilac and green that sit comfortably in a modern bouquet.
So the short answer to customers is this: a red carnation on its own carries a message of remembrance and respect, while carnations in other colours, or mixed with other flowers, are an everyday gift like any other. For a wider look at both sides, see Carnations in Russia: Patriotic Symbol or Everyday Gift?.
When carnations are the right choice
For 9 May, for a veteran or for a visit to a memorial, red carnations are not only acceptable but expected. They are also a respectful flower for men, for older relatives and for official congratulations from a company or a team, where roses would feel too personal. On these occasions a modest, neat bouquet says more than a large one.
For everyday gifts carnations work best when the recipient values practicality. They are a good choice for a hospital visit, a colleague's desk or an office reception, because they tolerate warm rooms, do not drop pollen and keep their shape for a long time. Students and teachers often like them for the same reasons.
Pink and white carnations are traditionally linked with a mother's love and gratitude, which makes them a natural choice for a mother or grandmother. Light pink, peach and cream spray carnations combined with roses or eustoma look soft and current, and very few recipients will read them as a Soviet reference.
Carnations are less suitable as the only flower for a romantic gesture or a first date. They can be part of a romantic bouquet, but on their own they do not carry the same message as roses or peonies.
Bouquets we can deliver
Colours and their meaning
Red stands for respect, remembrance and admiration; in a mixed bouquet it can also read as love. White suggests purity and good wishes and is often chosen for weddings and for older women. Pink is the colour of gratitude and tenderness, the safest choice when you are not sure. Yellow and orange are cheerful and friendly, although some older people still connect yellow with parting, so avoid it for a grandmother.
Burgundy and dark wine carnations look dramatic and pair well with white roses for a formal bouquet. Green carnations are a modern florist's favourite: they add texture and freshness to mixed arrangements and have no heavy associations at all. Striped and fringed varieties bring a playful note and suit birthdays.
How many carnations to give
The Russian rule about numbers applies to carnations more strictly than to almost any other flower, because of their memorial associations. For any happy occasion give an odd number of stems: three, five, seven, nine and so on. An even number, especially of red carnations, is reserved for funerals and remembrance, and a recipient will notice it. The rule is explained in full in Odd or Even? The Russian Rule About Flower Numbers.
In large mixed bouquets, where nobody counts individual stems, the rule matters much less. Spray carnations are also counted by stem, not by flower head, so a bouquet of five spray stems with twenty small blooms is still an odd, happy bouquet.
Caring for carnations at home
Carnations are among the longest-lasting cut flowers, and with simple care they often stay fresh for two to three weeks. Cut the stems at an angle just above or between the nodes, the thickened joints along the stem; water travels poorly through a node, so a cut right on it shortens the flower's life. Remove all leaves below the waterline.
Use a clean vase with cool water and change it every two or three days, trimming the stems a little each time. Carnations are sensitive to ethylene, so keep them away from ripening fruit, especially apples and bananas, and away from radiators and direct sun. In a heated Saint Petersburg flat in winter, a cooler windowsill or hallway at night noticeably extends their life.
Pull off faded heads on spray carnations as they go over. The remaining buds on the same stem will keep opening, and the bouquet will look full for much longer.
Ordering carnations to Russia
Pyat Tsvetov has been working in Saint Petersburg since 2011 and has three of its own flower shops in the city: on Ilyushina Street, on the Obvodny Canal Embankment and on Srednerogatskaya Street. We deliver flowers across Russia. Choose a bouquet in the catalogue, add the recipient's details and your message; a card with your text is free.
In large cities you can order delivery 1-2 hours after the order is confirmed, at an exact time with a margin of plus or minus 30 minutes, in one of the windows 09-12, 12-15, 15-18 and 18-21, or 1 to 30 days ahead, which is useful for 9 May and birthdays. In Saint Petersburg delivery runs around the clock. The courier calls the recipient about 15 minutes before arrival and does not name the sender unless you sign the card.
City delivery costs 500 RUB; for remote districts and suburbs the operator confirms the price when confirming the order. You can pay online by bank card, SBP or Yandex Pay, and foreign bank cards are accepted via Robokassa. For questions about a bouquet or delivery, call 8 (812) 507-67-05. We deliver bouquets across Russia in 1–2 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Are carnations a good gift in Russia?
Yes, as long as you choose the colour and number with care. Mixed or pastel carnations are an everyday gift, while red carnations on their own are associated with 9 May and memorials.
How long do carnations last in a vase?
Usually two to three weeks with fresh water every few days, trimmed stems and a spot away from fruit and radiators.
Can I give an even number of carnations?
Not for a happy occasion. Even numbers are reserved for funerals and remembrance in Russia, so choose an odd number of stems.
Which carnation colour is safest for a mother or grandmother?
Pink or white. Both are linked with gratitude and tenderness, while yellow may remind some older people of the superstition about parting.
Ready to send a bouquet?
Pick a city, choose the flowers, and we will hand them over with a photo confirmation.
Choose a city →