The phenological phase and morphological indicators of 23 carnation cultivars were investigated to provide reliable bases for the resource utilization and genetic improvement of carnation.The results showed that there were large differences between standard carnations and spray carnations.The differences among standard carnation cultivars were large while the differences among spray carnation cultivars were relatively small.The growing speeds of standard carnations usually were faster than those of spray carnations.Dianthus caryophyllus ‘Snow White’ which grew fastest among standard carnations came into its full-flower stage 163 days after planting.While D. caryophyllus ‘Samba’ which grew fastest among spray carnations came into full-flower stage 195 days later after planting.Among all of the phenotypic traits，flower number and branch number had the greatest variation degree,with the variation coefficient of 135.14% and 56.27%,respectively.The height of plant had the smallest variation coefficient,with the variation coefficient of 14.30%.When the genetic distance was 6.1,the 23 carnation cultivars were divided into two big groups，consistent with the results of classification based on the phenotypic traits.Standard carnation cultivars are suitable for forcing culture to bloom earlier while spray carnation cultivars can be used for retarding culture to bloom later.