If simnel cake is a special mothering cake presenting to her and it's the symbol of this holiday, red carnation is considered to be the official flower. Why is it so? Anna Jarvis is regarded as a founder of Mother's Day in the USA. Anna's mother had a garden where she planted white carnations, her favorite flower. After Mrs. Jarvis death on May, Anna asked the minister to honor her mother with a special service and decorated the church with white carnations. They seemed to her to be the embodiment of pure maternal love. Later on red carnations became the official symbol of the holiday and are presented to mothers who are alive. But if a person is holding a bouquet of white carnations it means his mother is dead. To please your mother on Mother's Day give her red carnations as a sign of respect and tell her this story.