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Article: Oscar Wilde's carnation makes a stately return
- Article from:
- The Independent (London, England)
- Article date:
- July 2, 1995
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 1995 The Independent - London. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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THE floppy carnation that Oscar Wilde wore in his lapel, feared
extinct since the 1930s, has been rescued from oblivion.
The malmaison, a variety that was once a feature of the
Victorian gentleman's buttonhole before virtually disappearing, is
being revived in the stately gardens of England.
Prince Charles has started growing malmaisons at Highgrove, as
have the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire at Chatsworth, Lord and
Lady Rothschild at Eythrope Manor, and the Duke and Duchess of
Westminster on the Grosvenor estate.
Throughout Britain, the well-heeled are exchanging cuttings to
propagate malmaisons for use in buttonholes and table decorations.
The luxuriant, deeply scented bloom was known as ...