Aelfrida would have been unfamiliar with the plant that I so enjoy, as this cultivated variety didn’t appear until the 1450’s.Here is a nice article on the search for the original medieval pink. In Shakespeare’s time, the gillyflower was a symbol of promiscuity because of how easily it hybridized.Today, the carnation has come to be a symbol of many different movements,… Continue Reading…
The Carnation has been used medicinally for approximately 2000 years, at least in China. This site gives a good account of its use there. Gerard tells us of the carnation:“The conserve made of the floures of the Clove Gillofloure and sugar, is exceeding cordiall,and wonderfully above measure doth comfort the heart, being eaten now and then.”and“It prevaileth against hot pestilentiall fevers, expelleth… Continue Reading…
