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Do you know what’s special about March 17th? It’s St. Patrick’s Day! You better wear something green if you don’t want to get pinched!

St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. Renowned for its lush green countryside, Ireland is nicknamed The Emerald Isle. That’s how the color green became associated with St. Patrick’s Day.

According to some of the legends, it’s really good luck to find a four-leaf clover. But you can make some of your own luck (like not getting pinched) by turning a white carnation green and making yourself a little boutonniere to wear on this special day. (A boutonniere is a flower that can be worn in a jacket or sweater buttonhole.)

• One or more live, white carnations. Let them go a little limp so that they’re thirsty.
• A glass or vase
• Warm water
• Green food coloring
• Scissors
• Green floral tape
• A straight pin or a hatpin
• A dose of patience

1. Pour some fresh water into the vase.
2. Add as many drops of the green food coloring to the water as it takes to turn the water dark green and mix it up.
3. Cut about a 1/2 inch to 1 inch off the end of the carnation stem. Make the cut at an angle. That makes it easier for the flower to drink up the water.
4. Place the freshly cut carnation(s) into the water.
5. Now take a dose of that patience and in about 24 to 48 hours you should have an Irish carnation! You can enjoy your green bouquet or continue on.

To make a boutonniere:

1. Remove the carnation from the water.
2. Cut the stem off so that you still have about an inch left.
3. Wrap a strip of the green floral tape around the flower’s base and the remaining stem. This will prevent the flower from dripping on your jacket and help to retain some of the moisture for the flower.
4. Insert the stem end into your jacket buttonhole and secure with a straight pin or a hatpin.