Lessons From a Kingscliff Flower Shop: The Real Story of January's Flowers

The Two Faces of January's Birth Flowers

Hi, I am Siobhan from Lily's Florist, one of the 2 founders. Bella actually wrote this a few years ago but I decided to give it an entire makeover as I felt it needed an update. Hope you enjoy. xx

January babies get something pretty special, in case you didn't know, not one, but two birth flowers. The carnation is the primary flower, while the snowdrop plays the supporting role, think of baby sister. It's like having a choice between a bold statement piece and a subtle whisper of elegance.

Back when we had our florist shop in Kingscliff in 2006, January was always interesting, aside from the immense heat from the flower and food fridges and the profuse sweating due to no A/C. The Christmas rush would die down, tourists would head home, and suddenly we'd get these requests for "something special for a January birthday." That's when I really started appreciating carnations - they were reliable, lasted forever, and came in every colour imaginable.

Carnations - The Misunderstood Beauty

Let me tell you something about carnations, from my experience they get a bad rap. People oddly think they look a tad cheap or boring, but that's like saying a classic white shirt is boring. It's all about how you use carnations, and we love them.

I remember this one customer, must have been 2008, who came into our Marine Parade shop absolutely insisting she didn't want carnations for her mum's 70th that they were having at Salt Bar. "Anything but carnations," she said from memory. The florist who contracted to us ended up making her this gorgeous arrangement with deep burgundy carnations mixed with eucalyptus and some white roses. When she came to collect it, she didn't even recognise them as carnations which was very cool to witness I have to say. That's the thing, when they're done right, they're absolute rippers of flowers.

The meaning behind carnations changes with their colour:

• Pink ones represent gratitude and admiration
• Red screams deep love and affection
• White symbolises pure love and good luck
• Yellow... well, that's the tricky one - it can mean disappointment or rejection, so maybe skip those for birthdays

The History Behind Carnations

Carnations have been around for over 2,000 years. The ancient Greeks and Romans were absolutely mad for them. They'd use them in ceremonial crowns and garlands. The name comes from "coronation" or "crown", which makes sense when you think about those ruffled edges looking a bit royal.

There's this whole debate about whether they originally came from the Mediterranean or China. Honestly, after dealing with flower suppliers for years, I reckon they probably popped up in both places. Nature doesn't really care about borders.

Snowdrops - January's Delicate Alternative

Now snowdrops, these little beauties are something else entirely. They're like the anti carnation, at least I like to think that way about. Where carnations are bold and ruffly, snowdrops are these tiny, nodding white flowers that push through frozen ground which, when you think about it, is such an amazing adaptation.

We never stocked snowdrops in the shop, they're not exactly practical for the Australian climate, especially not in subtropical Kingscliff. But I'd see often snowdrops in the flower mags we'd get delivered, and they always looked, well, there was something about them that I found really cool. They're literally the first flowers to bloom in the Northern Hemisphere's winter, sometimes pushing right through the snow.

The symbolism is pretty awesome too, snowdrops represent hope, rebirth, and consolation which I like the best. Snowdrops are great for January, really, when everyone's making fresh starts and new resolutions.

Why January Has Two Birth Flowers

The whole two flower thing for January makes sense when you think about it globally. Carnations are available pretty much everywhere, all year round. They're the practical choice. But snowdrops? They're specifically a cold-climate, Northern Hemisphere flower.

It's like how we had to adapt our shop offerings based on what was actually available. You can't promise someone snowdrops in Brisbane in January - it's the middle of summer! But carnations? Those we could get fresh every single day of the year when we had it.

Caring for Your January Birth Flowers

Here's what 16 years in the flower business taught me about carnations, they're absolute champions when it comes to longevity. We used to tell customers they could get two weeks out of them easy, sometimes three if they followed our care instructions.

Our secret? Fresh water every couple of days, a clean diagonal cut on the stems, and keep them away from fruit bowls. That ethylene gas from ripening fruit will knock them out faster than a summer heatwave.

One trick we learned from Anna and Will who florists who used to work for us and that is to add a tiny bit of sugar to the water. Not much, just a small pinch. It feeds the flowers and keeps them perky. We'd sometimes add a drop of bleach too, sounds weird I know right, but it keeps the bacteria at bay.

Modern Takes on January Birth Flowers

These days, florists are doing incredible things with carnations. They're dying them rainbow colours, using them in massive installations, creating these textured walls of ruffles. It's not your grandma's grocery store bunch anymore.

We've seen orders for carnation clouds, literally hundreds of carnations clustered together to create these floating floral sculptures. Or deconstructed arrangements where single carnation heads float in glass bowls. The creativity is endless.

Choosing January Birth Flowers as Gifts

If you're buying for a January birthday, here's my advice after years of helping customers and that is, don't discount carnations just because they're common. Choose quality over quantity. Five coloured carnations with some greenery will almost always look better than twenty dreary ones crammed in a vase.

My advice is to mix them up, carnations play beautifully with roses, stocks, and chrysanthemums. Add some eucalyptus or ruscus for texture. Think about the recipient's favourite colours rather than sticking to traditional meanings.

And if you really want to honour the snowdrop connection but can't get the real thing? White sweet peas or lily of the valley can give a similar delicate vibe. We used to suggest these alternatives all the time in the shop.

The Business Side of January Flowers

January in the flower business is interesting. After the Christmas and New Year rush, things quiet down. But then you get Australia Day at the end of the month, plus all those January birthdays. Carnations were always our steady sellers - reliable, profitable, and they rarely disappointed.

From a business perspective, carnations are brilliant. They ship well, last ages, and come in every colour. No wonder they've been a florist staple for centuries. When we were building Lily's Florist from that tiny shop to a national network, carnations were always part of our core range.

What January Birth Flowers Say About You

Peeps born in January are supposed to be loyal (my grandmother in law for sure), ambitious, and hardworking, kind of like carnations themselves I guess, really I mean that. They're not vivacious or demanding like say for example that roses can be at times, but they're always there, always reliable, always beautiful in their own way.

The snowdrop connection adds that element of resilience. January babies are the ones who push through when things get tough, who find beauty in the bleakest moments. After running a business through the GFC and coming out the other side, I can appreciate that symbolism.

Making January Birth Flowers Special

The key to making carnations special is all in the presentation and the story. Don't just hand over a bunch of flowers. Tell them about the 2,000-year history. Mention how they were used in ancient coronation ceremonies. Talk about how each colour has its own secret meaning.

We used to include little cards with our arrangements explaining flower meanings. Customers loved it - it turned a simple bunch of flowers into something with depth and significance. That's the difference between a transaction and an experience, between a flower shop and a florist who cares.

Looking back now, from running a tiny shop in 'Kingy' as it's affectionately called by locals, to building a network of over 800 florists across Australia, I reckon carnations taught me a lot. Carnations showed me, in some odd way, that success isn't just about being the fanciest or most expensive. Sometimes it's about being reliable, adaptable, and always showing up looking your best. Just like those trusty January carnations.

FAQ

Can I Request Specific Carnation Colours in My Bouquet?

Absolutely! That's one of the best parts about carnations. When you place your order, there's a section for special instructions or notes. Just mention the colours you'd love to have, like "deep reds and whites for an anniversary," or "a mix of cheerful pinks." Our local partner florist will always do their best to match your request based on what's fresh and beautiful that day. Just remember, in some smaller towns, the colour range might be a bit more limited, but they'll always create something gorgeous.

Do You Have Guides for Other Birth Months?

We sure do. This is a bit of a passion project for us, sharing the stories and meanings behind all the flowers we've worked with over the years. We're building out a complete library of guides for every month, from February's violets to December's narcissus. You can find all of our published guides on our main Birth Flowers Guide page here.

What's the Biggest Mistake People Make With Cut Carnations?

After seeing thousands of bouquets leave the shop, I can tell you the biggest mistake is almost always the water. People will top it up, but they won't fully replace it. After a few days, bacteria builds up in the vase and clogs the stems so they can't drink. The secret is to tip all the water out, give the vase a quick rinse, and refill with fresh water every 2-3 days. That little drop of bleach we mentioned? That's the pro-move to stop the bacteria in its tracks.

Is It Ever Possible to Get Fresh Snowdrops in Australia?

That's the million-dollar question! Unfortunately, as fresh-cut flowers for bouquets, the answer is pretty much no. They are a true cold-climate flower that needs a frosty winter to thrive, something we just don't get in most of Australia, especially not in 'Kingy'! They're also incredibly delicate and don't travel well. That's why we always recommend honouring their hopeful spirit with beautiful alternatives like white sweet peas or delicate lily of the valley.