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History of the society

The British National Carnation Society was formed in 1949 from the amalgamation of two existing carnation societies. The National Carnation and Picotee Society (formerly the National Society for Exhibition of Carnations and Picotees founded 1850) amalgamated with the British Carnation Society which had concerned itself with perpetual-flowering carnations.

Its aim is to expand and improve the cultivation of perpetually flowering carnations, border carnations pinks and all forms of dianthus.

A brief history of the B.N.C.S. on it’s 50 th anniversary

The British National Carnation Society celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The Society was inaugurated in February 1949 by the amalgamation of two existing Carnation Societies, the National Carnation & Picotee Society and the British Carnation Society. The object of the Society is to further the culture and improvement of Carnations and all other Dianthus and allied plants.

The National Carnation & Picotee Society was formed in December 1876, and held its first show at RHS Hall, Westminster the following July. An earlier Society had been founded in 1850, named the National Society for the exhibition of Carnations and Picotees, which held its first Show at the Royal Nurseries at Slough, owned by Charles Turner. Following a few years of successful exhibitions, mainly in the north of England, but well supported by southern growers, interest died down for a decade, before the National Carnation & Picotee Society was founded. Border Carnations and Picotees of the era were exhibited, together with the then-famous flakes and bizarres. Most of these latter were almost lost to cultivation by the end of the First World War, and have now completely disappeared. Many of the famous Picotees of the earlier part of this century are now also in danger of being lost. In the early 1930’s one or two classes for Pinks were introduced into the show schedule, with varieties such as ‘Queen Mary’ and ‘Bridesmaid’, raised by the late C. H. Herbert of Birmingham, predominating.

A class for a decorative dinner-table exhibit of Dianthus Allwoodii made its debut at the 1931 show and a few classes for Pinks were also introduced into the Show Schedule. By the end of that decade laced Pinks and the newer Show Pinks were also being shown.
In 1934 a Joint Committee was created, with representatives from both the RHS and the National Carnation & Picotee Society, with the object of assessing and recommending for RHS awards outdoor-grown trials of Border Carnations. A similar committee was formed in 1946 to assess varieties of Pinks. Both these trials continue to be grown at RHS, Wisley Gardens to the present day, now judged by an amalgamated Committee.

The British Carnation Society was formed in December 1885. It was originally named the Winter-Flowering Carnation Society, subsequently changed to the Perpetual-Flower ing Carnation Society, and eventually the British Carnation Society. Trials of Perpetual Flowering Carnations commenced in 1995 at RHS Wisley Gardens. Selected varieties are grown for a two-year period with regular inspections, following which awards are recommended.

In 1928, H.R.H. Princess Mary, the Princess Royal consented to become the British Carnation Society’s Patroness, and Summer Shows were held jointly with the National Carnation & Picotee Society from that date. At that time the British Carnation Society also held shows in conjunction with the RHS in early Spring and early November each year. Upon the amalgamation of the two former Societies in 1949, the Princess Royal became Patroness of the newly-formed British National Carnation Society. Shows are now staged in London in June and October each year. The main summer show, previously also held at Westminster in July, has for the past two years been held at Northampton, but some alternative venues may be chosen in the future. In addition Area Shows are held in conjunction with many of the Society’s Affiliaied Societies. Details of these, together with dates and venues are all given in the Year Book.

Since 1979, the Marchioness of Salisbury has been the Society’s Patroness. Lady Salisbury is a dedicated gardener and is particularly interested in the smaller members of the Dianthus family, Pinks of all kinds. Throughout the years she has regularly visited the BNCS Shows and has keenly inspected each and every vase of flowers exhibited on the Show bench.

Eileen Galbally