Carnations have always been a bit naff, mostly because we see them year-round at the corner shop, next to baby’s breath. But there are some larger ones about called spray carnations that have frilly edges and come in beautiful colours like nude and plum, and next to the typical red and yellow ones, they look positively grand. I bought a large bunch yesterday, and added a hodge podge of blue hydrangeas, pink lisianthus, cockscomb (that velvety pink flower) and some gerbera daisies. They’re sitting in a turquoise water jug, and the whole things is a happy thing to look at.