Question
I was wondering if carnation varities can be both perannuauls and annuals, and how can you tell the differents when buying?

Thank you, Carol

Answer
Carnations that we see in the florist are actually tender perennials, Carol - they are "tender" because if exposed to freezing temperatures they do not survive; they are "perennials" because if they are growing in one of those very pleasant non freezing climates they come back every year.  

Related very closely to those are the perennial Dianthus, which are smaller, shorter, non-cutting kinds that are hardy (they will NOT die if exposed to freezing temperatures, the opposite of tender) on Long Island where I live and garden.

The difference is that the tall larger Carnations are not hardy; the short ones about as tall as your hand are hardy.

These are all quite fragrant and if you can grow them at home - you did not mention where you live - you will notice a very strong clove fragrance that is more pronounced than the ones from the florist, where refrigerated storage diluates and finally erases all signs of fragrance.

I refer you to The Gardener's Network (http://www.gardenersnet.com/flower/) where they have posted some serious advice for anyone who wants to grow these.  They are not difficult by the way.  And you can grow them under lights if you really can't bear the thought of not having them in your gardening repertoire!  Growing them from seed - piece of cake.