Where have all the flowers gone? But in Keukenhof’s final weekend Carnation beauty still reigns supreme  

Divine Flowers’ Arnold Vooijs modelling award-winning Dianthus ‘Cherryfly.’

Keukenhof’s Carnation show, held between 2 -12 May 2024, marked the floral finale of fifteen alternating, and permanent indoor shows.

Just like Marlene Dietrich did in the 1960s, Keukenhof visitors in the show’s final weekend deperately asked themselves where all the flowers had gone. Temperatures soaring to 27 degrees had already caused the majority of outdoor tulips to wilt. However, inside the  exhibition’s Oranje Nassau pavilion, floral beauty still reigned supreme at the annual Carnation Show with hundreds of spectacular carnations on display.

Carnation growers from the Netherlands, Kenya and Ethopia took the skill of commercially growing carnations to the competitive level.

A representative of EMF Flowers setting next to a vase filled with Dianthus ‘Alhambra’.

A panel of expert judges evaluated the aesthetic beauty, stem quality, bud size, colour and uniformity. On Saturday 11 May the jury presented trophies in two categories; Dutch grown carnations and imported carnations. Ten growers submitted a total of 110 vases for inspection.

Dianthus ‘Pastel Damascus’, a bred from Dummen Orange and grown by Fa. G. Zuurbier en Zn. from Heerhugowaard scooped up the first prize in the Dutch Standard Carnations category. The jury praised the variety’s sturdy stems, large flower heads with solid pink edging.

Dianthus ‘Hamada’.

Carnation ‘Gobi’ from carnation nursery Divine Flowers/Martin Zwinkels from Honselersdijk ended second in het Dutch Standard Carnations category. ‘Gobi’ stood out for its uniform flower shape and soft orange/peach colour.

In the Dutch Carnations Miscellaneous category the red Dianthus ‘Sem’ by Divine Flowers/Nieuwland earned recognition from the jury because of its beautiful plant habit and nice foliage.

Dianthus ‘Cherryfly’, bred by Selecta Flowers and grown by Divine Flowers/Nieuwland from Hook of Holland, walked away with the Carnation Innovation Award.

Dianthus ‘Samai’.

In Imported Standard Carnations, Dianthus ‘Samai’ grown by J.P. Hogewoning from Aalsmeer impressed the jury by its flower shape and sturdy stems. Ending second was Dianthus ‘Alhambra’, submitted by Molo Greens from Kenya.

In the Imported Carnations Miscellaneous category Dianthus ‘Lala Cult’ from J. P. Hogewoning won the first prize with the jury highlighting its beautiful colour and exceptional flower shape.

Second best in the same category was  Dianthus ‘Hamada’ from EMF Flowers, which operates nurseries in Ethiopia and Kenya.

Carnation nursery Robin van der Hoorn took home the Carnation Industry Award for Dianthus ‘Goblin’ in lime green.