Question

What are we referring to carnation and Gardenia?

Answer 1

Carnation or also known as clove pink, is a species of Dianthus. Native to the Mediterranean region but the exact range of carnation species is unknown due to extensive cultivation in the last $2000$ years. Scientific name of carnation is Dianthus caryophyllus. Rubiaceae, which is a family of flowering plants or the coffee family, is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, Madagascar and some islands known as Gardenia.

Complete answer:
Dianthus caryophyllus or the commonly called carnation is a herbaceous perennial plant that grows up to $80cm$ tall. Leaves of carnation are glaucous greyish green to blue-green and slender which measure up to $15cm$ long. The flowers in this plant are formed singly or up to five flowers together in a cyme. Flowers are around $3$ to $5cm$ in diameter which are sweetly scented. These hermaphrodite flowers have radial symmetry.
These plants require well-drained and neutral to slightly alkaline soil. For garden planting, numerous cultivars have been selected. Some typical examples of cultivars include ‘Gina Porto’, ‘Helen’, ‘Laced Romeo’, and ‘Red Rocket’. These plants are being used for medical purposes, such as for upset stomach and fever. Fragrance of carnation was historically used in vinegar, beer, wine, sauces and salads.
The plant Gardenia are evergreen shrubs and small trees which typically grow up to $1-15$ meters tall. The leaves of Gardenia are opposite or in whorls of three or four, which are about $5$ to $50$ centimeters long and $3$ to $25$ centimeters broad. The leaves of this species are dark green in color and glossy with a leathery texture.
Gardenia s are the flowers which have been traditionally worn by men as boutonnière with the evening dress, in France. Edith Wharton suggested that it was a custom for upper class men of New York City to wear a Gardenia in their button-hole during the Gilded Age in her novel ‘The Age of Innocence'.

**Hence,Gardenia is a genus of flowering plant and carnation are flowering species. Gardenia refers to hope, love and trust whereas a carnation flower signifies good luck and pure love. **

Note:
When Hattie McDaniel accepted an Academy Award, she wore Gardenia s in her hair, the first for an African American, for ‘Gone with The Wind'. In the Netherlands, white carnations are associated with Prince Bernhard. During World War II he wore one and in a gesture of defiance some of the Dutch population later on took up this gesture.