bizarre

A bizarre is a carnation cultivar distinguished by bold stripes or flecks of a single colour, typically red or pink, appearing on a white ground. The pattern is not a solid overlay but rather irregular streaking or sectoring across the petals, creating the visual effect that gives the variety its name. These flowers have been cultivated for centuries and remain a staple in cut flower production and ornamental horticulture.

The bizarre differs from two related striped carnation types: the picotee, which has a thin coloured band only at the petal edge, and the flaked variety, which shows larger areas or blotches of colour. A true bizarre exhibits the striping throughout the petal surface. Growers select for consistency in the pattern, though some natural variation occurs even within a named cultivar, depending on temperature, light, and growing conditions during bloom development.

Commercial cultivation and use

Bizarre carnations are grown in greenhouses under controlled conditions to maintain pattern quality. Cooler temperatures during petal development often intensify stripe colour; warm conditions can wash out the markings. These flowers command a moderate premium over solid-coloured varieties in wholesale markets, particularly around Valentine's Day and Mother's Day. They are popular in mixed bouquets and high-end floral arrangements where visual interest is desired.

The striping pattern is genetically controlled but influenced by environmental factors and the plant's age. Younger flowers may show weaker patterns that intensify as the bloom matures. Florists must time harvest carefully: too early and the stripes lack depth; too late and the flower begins to senesce. Bizarre carnations typically hold their pattern throughout their vase life when kept at recommended temperatures between 2 and 5 degrees Celsius.

The name itself derives from the visual irregularity of the striping, which lacks the geometric precision of picoteed varieties. In horticulture, "bizarre" has been the accepted trade term for this pattern type since at least the 17th century, when such striped carnations were highly valued among European collectors. Today the term remains standard in both commercial catalogues and floristry reference materials.