Ask Ella: Opening Your Carnations
Carnations have long been regarded as something of a homely plant– but this common flower is coming back into style with a vengeance, so get on the retro vibe and grab a few the next time you are at your local market. If they aren’t totally open yet, that’s fine, just roll the green casing at the top of each carnation and they’ll open up quickly. This is a little-known trick that makes carnations look more like cottage roses, so it’s an ideal way to get more bang for your buck!
You can fluff the petals of each carnation up manually with your fingers and voila! An instant, classy fix-up. If you have any flowers left over after you make an arrangement, put them in a clear glass full of water and add a floating candle. What could be better on a cold winter’s night?