back to the homepage

List of articles

Favourite Buttonholes

For the last 30 years I have grown carnations primarily to wear as buttonholes. As such I am more interested in blooms with a small calyx, not too ostentatious and of interesting colours. In recent years I have entered a number of BNCS exhibitions largely to increase the number of blooms on the show benches. Having no interest in the strength of the stems I am often advised to give my plants some Viagra!
Over the years I have changed my views on what is a good buttonhole. For years my main achievement was to produce a fresh bloom every day of the year. In December that was at times a challenge itself!
Now with a larger greenhouse and considerably more plants I am more discerning in taste. A small calyx with medium sized bloom remains important. Scent has taken on an increased importance. To have fragrance throughout the day is a major factor (particularly for someone who abhors after shave)!
So what are my favourite varieties this year? I have to say Doris Allwood and Pink Doris are hard to beat. Storm has a particular attraction because of it’s colour (though very weak stems). Frank Bruno is spectacular and fragrant for most of the year. Tony’s Choice is I think this years choice with fragrance and deep red colour. Solway Star is also interesting. And Irene Ann is an interesting bloom with a lovely shade of pinky mauve with scent. John Barrington gave me some cuttings of one of his highly scented seedlings earlier this year. I cannot wait until this plant blooms later in the year so that I can asses its value as a button hole.
I had thought as I got older I would have changed to wearing orchids but instead I am increasingly discerning as to which PF to choose each day!
James Dennison
September 2007