I have long been a fan of the much-maligned carnation and championed it for its availability and affordability. And winter is the season I always stand up to sing its praises.

Detractors dislike their exotic clover-like smell or saw-tooth edge petals or easy availability–all assets in my mind. But it is their dowdy misuse that has given them a bad reputation. Banish the ghastly image of dyed carnations paired with sterile ferns and a sad spray of baby’s breath from your mind. Picture, instead, deep-red carnations paired with velvety carmine roses, or snowy carnations teamed with white stock, variegated holly and eucalyptus berries. Even a simple bundle of three dozen same-color carnations displayed in a cut-crystal bowl can elegantly dominate a winter table; no other additions are necessary to make the bouquet the center of attention.

Best of all, carnations are inexpensive–less than half the cost of roses–and long-lasting. A properly conditioned arrangement of carnations will last 10 to 12 days, enough to make it through the holidays. Now that’s something to croon about.