Tag: garden

Scented Leaves & Velvet Petals: A Geranium Journey

Legend has it that geraniums first grew where the prophet Mohammed hung his shirt to dry in the sun (nice to learn that even prophets do their own washing – and take delight in a ‘good drying day’, just as we do!) And there are many other myths linked with geranium: they’re said to grow in pots near witches’ cottages, for instance (though we do not recommend idly passing on that fact to touchy relatives…)

We adore how versatile geranium can be as a note for perfumers to play with in their compositions, and as you can see from this curated patch of geranium perfumes we’ve picked for you: geranium scents can vary from ultra soothing and nostalgic, to utterly contemporary, with many an olfactive surprise to be found even from this note you may feel you know so well. Let’s dig in!

 

 

Geraniums exist in a great number of varieties, but in most varieties of geranium, the flowers have no scent. The scent molecules are contained in the leaves. For many of us, geranium has an incredibly nostalgic scent: the scent of a grandmother’s greenhouse, rubbing a furry-leaved plant between our fingertips. In fact, there are hundreds of species of geranium, with scents that conjure up many other plants: lemon, apple, lime, mint, orange, rose, citronella, camphor, pineapple, sage and more. The leaves and stems can be steam-distilled to produce oils, then, with quite different characters, depending on the variety.

 

Mostly, the type used in perfumery is Pelargonium graveolens or more commonly called the ‘rose geranium’: it gives a scent that’s similar to rose, but with a lemony twist, and less of the powderiness. The most prized geranium of all comes from the Ile Bourbon, with its rich, green, fruity-mint rosiness. With such complexity, in a single ingredient, no wonder many perfumers love it. But it’s also grown in Algiers, Morocco, and in Grasse, among other perfumery ingredient places.

 

 

 

Jo Fairley – editor of The Scented Letter magazine – has written a gloriously evocative feature, The Scented Greenhouse, on the nostalgic scent of geraniums in the just-published The Language of Flowers summer edition of our multi award-winning publication, where you can read all about an extraordinary project she was part of, in collaboration with C.Atherley (Cath Kidston’s new fragrant venture, inspired by being ‘wild about geraniums’) and The Chelsea Flower Show. So, do buy the gorgeous print edition to bury your nose in, or make sure you are signed up to receive a FREE copy of the digital edition in your inbox!

 

 

But for now, let us explore the fuzzy-leafed fragrances below, and delight in the scent of geraniums all over again…

 

 

 

 

Floris Ledger Series Rose Geranium

A poised waltz of classicism and quiet daring, this composition unfurls with the silken touch of geranium – its verdant, lemon-tinged brightness weaving through a tapestry of rose and palmarosa. The note is not content to simply echo rose’s familiar refrain, but instead pirouettes with a citrusy vivacity, buoyed by citronella and the gentle caress of rosewood. A cedarwood base anchors the airy floral heart, imparting a subtle, woody warmth that lingers like the memory of laughter in a sunlit conservatory. Here, geranium is the green thread that binds nostalgia to elegance, whispering of gardens both real and remembered.

£220 for 100ml eau de parfum florislondon.com

 

 

 

 

 

Diptyque Geranium Oderata

A study in contrasts, this scent is a crisp boutonnière pressed against the skin – geranium at its heart, radiating a cool, almost minty clarity that shimmers with a touch of spice. Cardamom and pink pepper flicker around the edges, while tonka bean and vetiver lend an earthy, grounding undertone. The effect is both tailored and tender, as if a fresh-cut stem were slipped into a silk lapel. In this olfactory portrait, geranium is the pulse of green running beneath the surface, a breath of garden air in the midst of urban sophistication.

£135 for 100ml eau de toilette selfridges.com

 

 

 

 

Maison Martin Margiela From the Garden

Sun-drenched and brimming with life, this fragrance captures the tactile joy of hands plunged into loamy earth. The dewiness of tomato leaf and green mandarin sparkles at the outset, but it is the geranium – lush and leafy, humming with a gentle bitterness – that conjures the soul of a summer garden. Patchouli’s earthiness grounds the composition, echoing the quiet satisfaction of a day spent among growing things. Here, geranium is the heartbeat of the garden, green and alive, a fragrant memory pressed between the pages of time.

£62 for 30ml eau de toilette spacenk.com

 

 

 

Jean Paul Gaultier Scandal Pour Homme Le Parfum Intense

Swagger and sensuality collide in a bold, intoxicating statement where geranium bursts forth in the opening – sharp, aromatic, and bracing as a bell. This green, almost metallic freshness is swiftly enveloped by the creamy richness of tonka bean, while sandalwood smoulders in the base, adding a sultry, velvety depth. The interplay is electric, a dance of cool and heat, with geranium providing the initial spark that ignites the senses, leaving a trail of intrigue and irresistible magnetism.

£81 for 50ml eau de parfum intense theperfumeshop.com

 

 

 

Frederic Malle Geranium Pour Monsieur

A modern ode to classic refinement, this fragrance is a masterclass in balance. Geranium – cool, green, and exhilarating – is elevated by the icy brightness of mint and the subtle sweetness of rhodinol. Spices of clove and cinnamon add a sophisticated warmth, while sandalwood and white musk create a silken, lingering finish. The composition is both invigorating and serene, a fresh breeze through open windows on a spring morning. In this creation, geranium is the architect of clarity, sculpting an aura of effortless elegance and contemporary poise.

£255 for 100ml eau de parfum harrods.com

 

Written by Suzy Nightingale

Garden Party Perfumes

There’s something inherently magical about a garden party: the gentle clink of glasses, laughter floating on a breeze, and the air alive with the scent of fresh blooms and cut grass.

While many of us picture these joyous gatherings taking place in our own back gardens – surrounded by familiar flowers and cherished memories – the beauty of fragrance is its ability to transport us far beyond our fences.

In this special edit, we celebrate perfumes that evoke the spirit of the garden party, whether rooted in the English countryside or whisking us away to sun-dappled groves and grand estates abroad.

Join us as we explore a selection of scents that capture the essence of alfresco revelry, inviting you to travel via your nose to garden parties both near and far…

 

 

 

Kingdom Scotland Botanica

Kingdom Botanica was a passion project for founder Imogen Russon-Taylor, who told us: ‘When I moved to Edinburgh and had my first child, I’d walk with my pram through the gardens every day. I saw them through all the seasons, as my maternity leave progressed, and the gardens always gave me such an incredible sense of peace and tranquillity.’ Having been given access to botanic samples carried over by Darwin on the Beagle, Botanica is a scented tribute to ‘all the botanists, scientists and adventurous Scottish plant hunters of the past, present and future’, created with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Think blackcurrant meets pine needles, herbaceous verdancy and a soothing woodiness that hugs its borders. Glorious!

£132 for 50ml eau de parfum in our shop

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mizensir Vert Empire

For this one, let’s imagine we’re attending a garden party in Italy (how fabulous!) and are sauntering beneath the shade of citrus groves – the sparkle of their zest filling the air, the whole trees appreciated, from leaf and stem to trunk and earth, and of course the abundance of luscious, sun-warmed fruit. The house say: ‘Vert Empire from Mizensir is inspired by the beauty of the Mediterranean, the abundance of lemon and orange trees basking in the sunshine. Uplifting in composition with aromatic intensity and zest. Essence of mandarin and petitgrain conjure the beauty of citrus fruits yet to be harvested, the freshness of the Mediterranean is represented with paradisone, a floral citrus note, with a hint of cardamom. The scent allows you to travel amongst the Italian groves with hints of woody notes, sandalwood and ambrox, angelica and sage.’ Oh let’s grab our passports and go, shall we?!

£185 for 100ml eau de parfum harveynichols.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4160 Tuesdays Ealing Green

Firmly on home ground for this garden party, we imagine bunting gently fluttering in the breeze, cloudless blue skies, bumblebees droning and afternoon teas. Perfumer and founder Sarah McCartney explains the inspo best, saying: ‘We were invited to make a midsummer scent for a 2013 charity evening in Ealing, West London, using plants and flowers named in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, so we imagined the scenes taking place by Pitzhanger Manor on Ealing Green, and created the aroma of a magical summer evening. Its perfect for wearing in the heat. It starts with a wander through the herb and flower gardens of Walpole Park, takes in a picnic on the grass and ends up lying on the lawn by the pond, staring at the clouds floating by, smelling the warm earth.’ Just about the perfect English summer’s day, bottled, we’d say.

£65 for 50ml eau de parfum in our shop

 

 

 

 

Angela Flanders Taffeta

For this party, we think of a grand house, and an elegant lady flitting from the hubbub for a moment of contemplation in the wilder part of the garden. Her taffeta skirt brushes hedges and flower borders along the way, and as dusk settles the scent of the garden is carried in swirls and eddies around her, like an invisible shawl to match her light-shifting gown. As Angela Flanders beautifully evoke: ‘A dewy top note of hyacinth enhances the delicate notes of iris and rose in the heart of Taffeta. A touch of smoky vetiver, calamus and civet in the base add a sophisticated depth as the perfume warms and opens on the skin. Taffeta captures the early evening when dusk starts to fall, and we prepare to embark on an evening adventure. The elegant dry and mysterious quality of silk taffeta, which appears to change with the light, is the inspiration for this elusive and elegant perfume.’

From £85 for 30ml eau de parfum angelaflanders-perfumer.com

 

 

 

Penhaligon’s Highgrove Bouquet

A right royal garden party, this one, which Penhaligon’s explains as having been inspired by the unique atmosphere of this treasured place: ‘In Summer, Highgrove Gardens hum with a smell often described as earthly sunshine’ they say, continuing: ‘The grass bows to weeping silver lime, mimosa, and cedar.’ Captured quite literally (using Headspace Technology) the linden blossom in this beguiling scent glides through a fluffy breeze of of that mimosa, grounded in the cedar, and enlivened by citrus. It’s a radiant delight to wear at any time, of course, but really comes into its own when wafted forth during the summer – the very season it seeks to capture in scented form. Incredibly, this wasn’t a mere ‘inspired by’ project. Highgrove Bouquet was created with HRH King Charles III (then The Prince of Wales), in part as a tribute to the magnificently fragrant summers he’s spent at his beloved Highgrove Gardens.

£175 for 100ml eau de parfum selfridges.com

 

 

 

Whether you’re hosting friends on the lawn, daydreaming beneath a shady tree, or simply longing for a moment of escapism, these garden party perfumes promise to conjure the joy and splendour of outdoor celebrations with every spritz. From the comforting familiarity of homegrown blooms to the allure of distant, fragrant landscapes, let your senses lead you on a scented adventure. Wherever your garden party takes place – be it close to home or in the wildest corners of your imagination – these fragrances ensure the festivities are always in full bloom.

 

Written by Suzy Nightingale

Now Blooming: Spring Garden Scent Ingredients

As spring unfurls its tender green shoots and bursts of colour across gardens in the U.K., we find ourselves drawn to the beauty of familiar blooms and verdant landscapes. These are the sights and scents that herald the season’s arrival, yet their olfactory counterparts in perfumery often remain under-appreciated.

This month, we celebrate those fragrances that elevate ‘humble’ yet evocative notes – camellia, pear blossom, daffodil, crocus, saffron, and yes, even grass (so welcome as a splash of green re-emerging at this time of year) – transforming them into radiant expressions of springtime… and HURRAH for that much-needed breath of fresh air!

 

 

Grass – CHANEL Les Exclusifs Bel Respiro Eau de Toilette

Bel Respiro captures the very essence of a dew-kissed morning in a lush, manicured garden. Its opening is a vivid burst of crushed greenery, evoking freshly mown grass with a whisper of herbal sharpness. The bitterness softens as it develops, revealing a delicate interplay of transparent florals that float above the verdant base. This fragrance is an ode to simplicity and elegance – a restrained yet luminous portrayal of nature’s renewal. With its airy sophistication, Bel Respiro feels like stepping into a sunlit meadow just as the earth begins to awaken.

£240 for 75ml eau de parfum chanel.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daffodil – Yardley English Daffodil

The cheerful daffodil, a quintessential symbol of spring in British gardens, takes center stage in this fragrance. Yardley’s English Daffodil offers a sparkling introduction with citrusy notes of grapefruit blossom and lemon zest. As it unfolds, the heart reveals the golden warmth of daffodils intertwined with lily of the valley, creating a floral harmony that feels both fresh and nostalgic. Anchored by soft musk and cedarwood, this scent exudes joy and optimism – a fragrant embodiment of sunlight streaming through petals.

£12 for 125ml eau de toilette boots.com

 

 

 

Camellia – ELLA K Camelia K

Camellia flowers are rarely used in perfumery, but perfumer Sonia Constant used headspace technology to capture it’s allure, transforming this elegant bloom into an intoxicating masterpiece. The fragrance opens with a burst of ginger and blood orange, lending a zesty vibrancy that mirrors the camellia’s velvety petals glistening with morning dew. At its heart lies an opulent bouquet of red camellia and jasmine sambac, their creamy sweetness balanced by subtle hints of orange blossom. As it dries down, warm notes of vanilla and patchouli add depth and sensuality. Camelia K is both bold and refined: a floral symphony that lingers like sunlight on skin.

£215 for 100ml eau de parfum harveynichols.com

 

 

Pear Blossom – Eight & Bob Guethary

Pear blossom’s delicate charm is beautifully captured in Eight & Bob’s Guethary. This fragrance opens with a light dusting of pear blossom mingled with marigold’s herbal brightness. A salty amber accord weaves through its heart, evoking coastal breezes that carry hints of blooming orchards. As it settles, subtle suede and white musk provide a creamy backdrop that enhances its ethereal quality. Guethary is a serene yet striking composition – a fragrant stroll through an orchard by the sea.

£238 for 50ml extrait de parfum harveynichols.com

 

 

 

Crocus / Saffron – Parfums de Marly Haltane

From the humble crocus emerges saffron, one of perfumery’s most prized ingredients. Parfums de Marly’s Haltane showcases saffron’s duality – its honeyed warmth and leathery spiciness – against a backdrop of oud and dry woods. The composition opens with bergamot’s brightness before unveiling saffron’s golden glow, which lends a rich depth to the fragrance without overwhelming its balance. Sweet praline nuances soften its edges, creating an interplay between gourmand richness and earthy sophistication. Haltane is an evocative celebration of saffron’s complexity – a scent as luxurious as the crocus stamen from which it originates.

£270 for 75ml eau de parfum uk.parfums-de-marly.com

 

 

 

 

This spring, let us revel in these familiar yet transformative notes – each one a fragrant reminder that beauty often lies in what we see every day but rarely stop to truly appreciate. These perfumes invite us to rediscover the extraordinary within the ordinary, bringing gardens to gorgeously blossoming life – not just in sight, but in all their scented splendours.

 

Written by Suzy Nightingale

Craving salad? Let these crisp veg-inspired scents refresh you!

After the festive season’s indulgences, our palates and noses often crave a refreshing change. Just as we might yearn for a crisp salad after weeks of rich fare, our olfactory senses seek lighter, more invigorating scents. Enter the world of vegetable-based fragrances (featuring ingredients that wouldn’t look out of place in a a salad), and get ready to discover this burgeoning trend in modern perfumery that’s as surprising as it is delightful…

The past few years have seen a veritable harvest of vegetable notes sprouting up in perfumes. From the earthy sweetness of beetroot to the green crunch of cucumber, perfumers are exploring a whole new ‘gourmand’ category that leans away from sugary sweetness and into savoury notes. These scents don’t merely mimic their botanical inspirations; thanks to cutting-edge extraction techniques and innovative aroma molecules, they capture the true essence of these garden delights in ways that are both familiar and fantastically novel.

 

 

Victoire in her gorgeous vegetable garden

 

 

The launch of L’Officine Universelle Buly’s ‘The French Garden’ collection exemplified this trend beautifully. Co-founder Victoire de Taillac describes a garden as ‘a perfect universe, a paradise, a haven,’ where ‘smells come together and surprise you.’ The six fragrances in this line intertwine vegetable notes with flowers and musks, creating olfactory experiences that evoke the dewy freshness of a morning garden stroll.

 

 

 

Les Jardin Français is available online at www.buly1803.com and at their Selfridges counter: £145 for 75ml. La Sizaine collection of six x 9ml travel perfumes is also available for £108, selfridges.com. The perfect way to sample the whole collection (because you will need to smell them all!)

 

 

 

 

Another notable entry in this verdant realm is L’Artisan Parfumeur’s Le Potager collection. This range celebrates the humble vegetable patch, transforming common garden produce into sophisticated scents. As perfumer Quentin Bisch, who worked on the collection, notes, ‘The challenge is to dress the vegetable with a classic material to keep a part of the mystery.’ This approach results in fragrances that are both reassuringly familiar and intriguingly complex.

So now, with the spirit of freshness and seeking something new for our noses, let’s explore these garden salad-inspired scents – which would you pick as a refreshing change from the heavier scents you’ve been wearing, we wonder…?

 

 

 

4160 Tuesdays Le Jardin de Monsieur McGregor

This whimsical creation traces a mischievous rabbit through a Lake District garden. The scent opens with crisp cucumber and celery notes, complemented by leafy greens and creamy mushrooms. A hint of nibbled strawberries adds sweetness, while a trail of pipe smoke lends a touch of human presence to this botanical adventure.

From £40 for 15ml eau de parfum 4160tuesdays.com 

 

 

 

 

 

Shay & Blue Clementine

Don’t let the name fool you – this fragrance is more than just citrus. Succulent clementine is entwined with swags of laurel leaves and the surprisingly bright, peppery green of watercress. The addition of petitgrain brings a piquant sunshine that revives flagging spirits, making this an ideal scent for banishing winter blues.

From £25 for 10ml eau de parfum shayandblue.com

 

 

Officine Universelle Buly Indian Cucumber and Syrian Mint

Offering us a refreshing olfactory journey through a sun-drenched garden (yes please!) the crisp cucumber provides an invigorating opening, while Syrian mint adds lively aromatics that feel cool and clean, yet definitely pep-up flagging sprits. A whisper of iodine evokes sea breezes, and white musk lends a soothingly soft base. It’s, elegantly wearable and will have you craving more!

150 for 100ml eau triple buly1803.com

 

 

 

 

 

Jack Perfume Covent Garden

Inspired by London’s famous market, this scent captures the essence of a morning stroll among the stalls. Carrot takes centre stage, its aromatic sweetness tinged with ginger. The overall effect is reminiscent of munching on fresh vegetables while an exciting breeze carries hints of exotic spices.

£95 for 100ml eau de parfum jovoyparis.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diptyque Eau Rose Eau de Parfum

In this reimagining of their classic rose scent, Diptyque add an unexpected twist: artichoke. This fleshy, green note enhances the original rose oil, adding a slightly bitter edge that speaks of melancholy moments in walled gardens. The result is a more complex, arboreal take on floral romance.

 £153 for 75ml eau de parfum diptyqueparis.com

 

 

 

 

To the Fairest Élan Vital

Oh this takes us to a forest floor in all its lush complexity. A medley of green notes, including a hint of stinging nettle (which make a nourishing soup, apparently – have you ever tried it?), and settles onto a base of grounding vetiver. Soft moss and patchouli create a cosy bolthole, while a cover of golden leaves adds warmth to this woodland-inspired scent.

£85 for 50ml eau de parfum tothefairest.com

 

 

 

 

 

Comme des Garçons Rouge

True to the brand’s avant-garde spirit, Rouge subverts familiar notes in daring ways. Blood-red berries mingle with earthy beetroot, creating a vegetal sweetness that’s grounded by swirls of iced incense and charred leather. It’s a bold, unconventional take on the vegetable trend we can get behind.

£135 for 100ml eau de parfum libertylondon.com

 

 

 

 

L’Artisan Parfumeur Iris de Gris

‘How many times, while shelling fresh peas, have I dreamt of this green fragrance?’, exclaims perfumer Quentin Bisch. Ethereally airy thanks to bright green galbanum, (‘an herbaceous plant with a scent akin to the pea’ L”Artisan tells us), ‘this fragrance is a hymn to green in all its forms, punctuated with iris, which makes a refined imprint on skin.’ We concur – and it has us dreaming of dew-dappled plants and brighter days, for sure.

£170 for 100ml eau de parfum artisanparfumeur.com

 

 

 

 

 

As we embrace a new year, why not resolve to explore these garden-veg inspired scents? They offer a fresh perspective on perfumery, proving that vegetables can be just as alluring as flowers when it comes to fragrance. So go ahead, spray your five a day – your nose will thank you for the olfactory boost!

Written by Suzy Nightingale

Summer Garden Scents – set your senses free

With the gardens in full bloom, so many of us are taking every opportunity to run to a patch of green and bask in sunlight this summer (you only have to see the parks or green spaces of any major town or city, filled with workers making the most of their lunch breaks, to know how vital it is for us to be taking time out to enjoy nature.

And – naturally – this leads us to ponder which perfumes we’d wear to maximise this fabulously flower-filled time of year.

 

 

 

Not a fan of floral fragrances? We’ve all manner of gorgeously evocative scents, from green and shady to full-on florabundant to recommend, each of them celebrating the joy of gardens in their own unique way, and all of them blooming beautiful…

 

 

 

THoO Cypress Shade

Part of their ‘Klem Gardens’ collection – which celebrates ‘the timeless garden’ that’s inspired perfumers through the centuries, Cypress Shade offers a welcome breeze of coolness, in shadows ‘cast by the boughs of a cypress tree brings a moment of relief and refreshes the soul. The sparkling notes of mandarin, lemon and bergamot light up to enjoy the first invigorating lights of sunrise. The fresh and vivid light of the dawn has something miraculous. each ray cleaves the huge fronds of the cypresses moved by the wind as in a dance. On the skin, aromatic and woody variations break up and overlap each other, giving the fragrance a disarming depth.’

From £220 for 75ml eau de parfum  harveynichols.com

 

 

 

Fornasetti Giardino Segreto

Creators of the most covetable candles, Fornasetti are back on the scent scene with three so-divine wearable fine fragrances: the florabundant Giardino Segreto being our focus here, of course. The powerful green of Tomato leaves and frshly plucked black raspberries are mysteriously swirled with myrrh, and draped in silken sandalwood to create the kind of secret garden you long to explore – we picture tiptoeing through dew-pearled grass at dawn in a gauzy gown, the morning sunlight drowsily awakening the freshness before settling to a contented cat-stretch in a patch of warmth (on a Fornasetti-patterned cushion amidst a garden maze? We feel it’s scent appropriate). A considered purchase, for sure, but oh it’s a glorious journey (and oh! That BOTTLE!)

£480 for 100ml extrait de parfum harrods.com

 

 

 

Clive Christian Queen Anne Rock Rose VII Noble Collection

The fragrant inspiration for this garden-centric scent came from none other than Clive Christian’s own Queen Anne house gardens, which he’s worked hard to restore to their former glory, encompassing a planting scheme that echoes the history of the place. Inspiration that blossoms fully within this classically styled and late summer-mistily refined fougére with a surprisingly modern edge. Citrus, bergamot and neroli are sprinkled with black pepper a superbly dry lavender, violett and intriguing scent of rock rose simmer in the heart. In the base, base, cocoa, patchouli, amber and vetiver glow as if lit by the last sunlight of the day.

£490 for 50ml parfum selfridges.com

 

 

Penhaligon’s Highgrove Bouquet

Captured quite literally (using Headspace Technology) the linden blossom in this beguiling scent glides through a breeze of mimosa, cedar, and citrus. It’s a radiant delight to wear at any time, of course, but really comes into its own when wafted forth during the summer – the very season it seeks to capture in scented form. Incredibly, this wasn’t a mere ‘inspired by’ project. Highgrove Bouquet was actually created with HRH The Prince of Wales, in part as a tribute to the magnificently fragrant summers he’s spent at Highgrove Gardens.

£175 for 100ml eau de parfum selfridges.com

 

(Psst! See details for The Garden of Delights Discovery Box, below, to learn how to get a sample of this and many more…)

 

 

 

Adscenture Secret Garden

‘Luring you in, you’re unable to resist the enchanting bouquet of white flowers. Night is looming, the last sunlight cascades over this secret place. As darkness descends, frangipani comes to life. Magical notes of peach and coconut delight you, whilst undertones of amber and woods ground you. You’re on your ADSCENTURE. Exotic notes of bergamot and peach linger with sweet and creamy coconut. The heart of this scent brings sun-kissed frangipani combined with delicate jasmine and fleshy ylangylang. A base of vanilla santal, warming amber and musk complete this scent.’

£60 for 30ml eau de parfum in our shop (or why not try this AND the Penhaligon’s Highgrove Bouquet as part of the sample found in The Garden of Delights Discovery Box? See below for all the details!)

 

Now we are all set to scamper with wild abandon this summer in our gardens (when the weather allows!), why not treat yourself to that fragrant feeling of joy and freedom via an entire wardrobe of verdant and flora-bundant fragrance samples to be found in The Garden of Delights Discovery Box?

 

We know that gardens help us to feel renewed, so we curated this collection of vibrant, bright fragrances, so everyone can feel the rejuvenating benefits of gardens in every single spritz…

 

Garden of Delights box

 

The Garden of Delights Discovery Box is priced £19 + p&p to VIP Club Members & £23 + p&p to everyone else – be sure to log into your account to take advantage of the special VIP Club price. Inside, you’ll find this amazing line-up of scents…

Adscenture Secret Garden 2ml eau de parfum
Cosmoss Sacred Mist 1.5ml eau de parfum 
EauMG Rockin Rose 2ml extrait de parfum
Floral Street Sweet Almond Blossom 2ml eau de parfum
Granado Jardim Real 1.8ml eau de parfum
Juliette has a gun Magnolia Bliss 1.7ml eau de parfum       
Mizensir Vert Empire 2ml eau de parfum
Molton Brown Heavenly Gingerlily 1.5ml eau  de parfum
Penhaligon’s Highgrove Bouquet 1.5ml eau de parfum 
Shay&Blue Amber Rose 2ml eau de parfum 
Versace Dylan Purple 1ml eau de parfum
Yardley London English Rose Body Mist 200ml
SBC Arnica Moisturising Gel 100ml

 

Written by Suzy Nightingale

Chelsea Flower Show 2024: blossom & bloom with these joyful spring scents!

As flower and garden lovers we are, of course, super excited about this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show – the annual event celebrating the very best of garden design, the growers, movers and shakers in the horticultural world. And of course, it’s the season when the perfume landscape is naturally burgeoning with florals for late spring and early summer.

 

 

 

At The Perfume Society, we have rooted out some florals for you to fall for – no matter if you are lucky enough to have a ticket for Chelsea Flower Show, are looking forward to visiting some spectacular public gardens over the coming weeks, or simply enjoying your own garden or local park.

Here you will discover a whole garden of floral and seasonally sublime samples – SO brilliant for trying before you buy a full-size – with earthy tones, fruity notes and even a subtle dusting of spice. Each fragrance sample has been specially picked to form a panoramic view of all the blossoming promise a floral fragrance can bring. They’re perfect for popping in your pocket or throwing in a bag for travel, too.

 

 

We know even those who thought they didn’t like floral and scents have fallen for several of the seasonally perfect perfumes from this selection! And you can find them all handily gathered within the Seasonal Scents Box Spring Box. Which will you pick to wear first? In the box you’ve got ALL these blossoming glories to try samples of…

 

 

4160 TUESDAYS SONNET No.1 eau de parfum
Fragrance Family: FLORAL

‘We first made a limited edition of Sonnet No. 1 for the Barnes Fragrance Fair, and the aim was to blend the aroma of Shakespeare’s flowers. Shakespeare’s first sonnet mentions “beauty’s rose” hence the name. To rose – both the absolute and essential oil – we added lavender, beeswax, narcissus and hay absolutes, and evoke the aromas of lily and violet. It floats on a bed of white musks. This is the most expensive fragrance we’ve ever made…’

 

 

BRIONI ESSENTIEL eau de parfum sample
Fragrance Family: WOODY AMBRÉE

‘The intriguingly green opening with sparkling bergamot and bright aromatic cardamom create a play of light through tender tomato leaves. Earthy patchouli enhances the heart’s woody facets which features an exclusive tonka bean variety, used for the first time in perfumery. The enveloping amber drydown brings out two truly spiritual notes – resinous frankincense and creamy sandalwood – and reflects a sense of calm and well-being.’

 

 

CREED SPRING FLOWER eau de parfum sample
Fragrance Family: FLORAL

‘Pretty in pink, Spring Flower is a playful and unapologetic celebration of femininity. Succulent peach extracts and soft florals blend effortlessly into notes of jasmine and white flowers, transporting you to a quintessential English garden on a perfect spring morning. Sensual ambergris and musk follow, adding depth and tranquillity to ensure every accord of this powerful female fragrance is fully savoured.’

 

 

 

GOUTAL PETITE CHERIE eau de parfum sample
Fragrance Family: FLORAL FRUITY

‘Petite Chérie is the irresistible fragrance Annick Goutal bestowed on her daughter Camille as a gift. Petite Chérie is a bright and cheerful floral-fruity musky perfume. Beneath its soft, mischievous and carefree airs, the fragrance unveils captivating, devilishly tempting and dangerously endearing charms. It seduces firstly with its playful notes of sweet and juicy pear and freshly-cut grass then blossoms into sumptuous and sensual rose with petals as velvety-soft as skin. It is said to be reminiscent of a young girl’s cheek that you want to lovingly kiss.’

 

 

 

FLOWER BY KENZO IKEBANA eau de parfum sample
Fragrance Family: FLORAL WOODY

‘This second fragrance in the FLOWER IKEBANA collection brings the Japanese mimosa to the fore. The Mimosa Absolute is at the heart of the scent and offers a unique floral expression close to nature. The verticality of hinoki wood supports the entire composition, with golden sesame extract resonating in a sillage of addictive comfort.’

 

 

LALIQUE SOLEIL VIBRANT eau de parfum sample
Fragrance Family:  WOODY FLORAL

‘Woody, floral, with a hint of vanilla. Soleil Vibrant Lalique bottles a beaming energy whose scent is a joyful ode to femininity and wildness. A fragrance that smells as delicious as sun-kissed skin. That makes you feel as happy as a summer day.’

 

 

 

MOLTON BROWN DELICIOUS RHUBARB & ROSE eau de parfum sample
Fragrance Family: FLORAL FRUITY

Firmly rooted in cherished childhood memories of baking with rhubarb’s unique tartness sprinkled by just enough sweetness. In this utterly addictive eau de parfum, those seeking scrumptiousness can indulge with joyfully juicy raspberry and a vivacious kick of pink pepper enhancing rhubarb’s sparkle, as luscious lychee and the tender peony showcase rose’s powdered charm, with a soothingly sensual base of cedarwood and musk swathing you in a gossamer soft trail. This is one to wear when you want to smell utterly scrumptious, and simply can’t get enough of yourself. Delicious, darling!

 

RUTH MASTENBROEK SIGNATURE eau de parfum sample
Fragrance Family: CHYPRE

‘A story of freedom…set along a winding path of wet and earthy leaves that lead to a secret garden. In Signature, fresh fruity notes of mandarin, bergamot and pineapple waltz elegantly together with rose on a stage of patchouli and oakmoss. The result is a sparkling and elegant perfume with an evolving woody base, that lives as an accolade to times gone by.’

 

 

 

SHAY & BLUE CEDARWOOD GRAPEFRUIT eau de parfum sample
Fragrance Family: WOODY CITRUS

They say: ‘Huck the Fipsters! This fragrance is not just for beards. Sparkling pink grapefruit will put some style in your step contrast with coffee bean for character. Finish with refreshing cedar wood for a sense of mystery.’ Discover Cedarwood Grapefruit Eau de Parfum from Shay & Blue, an uplifting scent with notes of juicy pink grapefruit, neroli, vibrant coffee bean and cedarwood. This gorgeous scent will make a refreshing addition to any perfume collection.

 

 

 

TOCCA COLETTE eau de parfum sample
Fragrance Family: FLORAL AMBRÉE

‘Colette is a heady bouquet of florals with warm, spicy edges that linger everywhere she goes. Sparkling citrus and pink peppercorn swirl around jasmine and violet, drying down to musk, vanilla, and sandalwood. Spicy. Mysterious. Seductive.’

 

So, whether you’re looking for a new signature scent, want to settle down with a Shakespearean-inspired floral, or even dream of some Parisienne armchair travel, throw open the windows as we indulge in the Spring Seasonal Scents Subscription Box…

Step into Les Jardin Français with Officine Universelle Buly’s vegetable-inspired scents

As we predicted last year in the (now Jasmine award-winning!) article for The Scented Letter Magazine, How to Spray your Five-a-Day, vegetable plots have been a place of much inspiration for perfumers. Now, there’s a whole new bumper crop of L’Officine Universelle Buly Les Jardins Français fragrances to explore and enjoy – and we promise, you’ll really dig them…!

‘The French Garden’ is a new collection of six fragrances from L’Officine Universelle Buly that garland vegetable notes with flowers and musks, all giving off a morning dew freshness. The launch happily coincided with the publication of our own garden themed latest edition of the magazine, The Perfumer’s Garden – because really, ever since the pandemic, it has all been about how much we get from our gardens and green spaces we can access for our mental health; how they inspire us all.

‘A garden is like a perfect universe,’ agrees Buly’s co-founder, Victoire de Taillac (pictured in her own garden, below). ‘A paradise. A haven… Gardening means being outside in all weathers, with all your sense awakened. The smells come together and surprise you…’ Also taking the senses by surprise are combinations like Indian Cucumber and Syrian mint, offering ‘crazy minty joy’, in a cloak of musk, and Iraqi Beetroot and Egyptian Rhubarb, tethered to the earthiness of patchouli. Or enjoy that note du jour, geranium, adding an extra dash of green to Oriental Watercress & Sardinian Parsley.

 

 

 

 

 

Some of the notes (like rhubarb, carrot and cucumber) have been used for many years by noses in their creations, while others seem more peculiar at first: sweet potato? It seemed incongruous, but oh it works amazingly well! They all do, having been expertly blended to achieve an almost photo-realistic encounter at first sniff, which then melds with your skin to become the fine fragrances they truly are. Basically put, no matter which you plump for, we promise you will NOT end up smelling like a soup or bowl of salad!

The project began when Buly co-founder Ramdane Touhami bid on an antique seed box in an auction. Having won it, he wondered if these precious seeds collected over hundreds of years could still be planted. Sadly that experiment didn’t flourish, but it did plant the seed of an idea: what if their next fragrances could reflect the love we all had for our gardens and green spaces during lockdown? A scented escapism in every spritz?

 

“Les Jardins Français” brings back to life an intoxicating and unique palette of garden fragrances. They all seem to be seized by the morning dew during a morning stroll through the vegetable garden and orchard, between rows of plants coming from the farthest ends of the world, acclimatised since Antiquity by patient monks, meticulous collectors and erudite healers, all genius gardeners and gatherers. Like a miraculous harvest in a universal garden, with freshly raked paths adorned with rare flowers, these armfuls of familiar vegetables and simple herbs, these aromatic and sunny delicious bouquets delight the senses and the heart.

 

 

 

 

Les Jardin Français is available online at www.buly1803.com and at their Selfridges counter: £145 for 75ml. La Sizaine collection of six x 9ml travel perfumes is also available for £108. The perfect way to sample the while collection (because you will need to smell them all!)

Since the launch of the fragrances, there’s been another crop of newness with Savon Superfin soaps and the divinely moisturising Lait Virginal to complement. One thing’s for certain – this growing L’Officine Buly Les Jardins Français collection is un-beet-able. [Apologies]

Written by Suzy Nightingale

Blooming marvellous! A flower garden extravaganza of scents & scintillating reads

During the recent torrential summer downpours in the U.K. a phrase oft’ repeated was “…well, it’s good for the gardens!” Which may have been less than welcome to hear while staring forlornly out of the window, but IS true nonetheless.

 

A bit of sun these last few days has perked us all up no end, and now finally we might wear the summer dress we’d been saving and sit in our own gardens, if we’re lucky enough to have them – sans raincoat and brolly. The thrill! All of this has us appreciating our gardens all the more, and despite the weather, all things garden-centric really has been the trend of the year thus far…

Coinciding with the opening of an extraordinary new outdoor space at the Palace of Versailles, we themed our Summer issue of multi-award-winning magazine, The Scented Letter, around ‘The Perfumer’s Garden’. Talking to green-fingered perfumers, sharing recommendations for scented plants for your garden and showcasing a round-up of glorious modern florals (for the home and for the skin) that evoke gardens or greenhouses – bringing the outdoors in and savouring a garden’s verdancy on your skin, too, is all we want to do right now.

 

 

 

Here’s what you can enjoy in this 60-page PRINT issue celebrating the garden’s ability to inspire and delight…

  • The Perfumer’s Garden – inspired by a fragrant garden just opened at Versailles, our 10-page florabundant extravaganza celebrates gardens, florists and flower scents
  • #Smellfie 2023 – to mark International Fragrance Day 2023, our fans and followers got snapping to share their love of perfume
  • A Working Nose – natural perfumer Delphine Thierry
  • Gelat-eaux! How to wear one of the ultra-cool new gourmand scents – without smelling like Mr. Whippy
  • Memories, Dreams, Reflections – British supermodel turned scent and skincare creator Kate Moss shares favourite perfumes and blooms
  • When Your Back Garden is a Tuberose Field – we join Aurélien Guichard at the harvest-time of this heady flower

Plus, as always, discover ALL the Latest Launches – in home fragrance, as well as perfumes to wear – and get a whiff of news, in Nosing Around

And don’t forget: you can now take out a yearly Print Subscription to The Scented Letter, the world’s only magazine for fragrance-lovers, here.

 

Master Perfumer Alberto Morillas enjoying his own ‘Perfumer’s Garden’ in The Scented Letter magazine.

 

Meanwhile, can we encourage those of you who THINK you don’t like ‘floral scents’ to explore the contemporary delights of Floral Street’s Discovery Set for only £16? This groundbreaking, hugely sustainable and so-likeable British house has wowed the world with their modern take on a floral – using this family as inspiration rather than slavishly following old-fashioned notions of how such fragrances should smell. Get ready to have your pulse race with these blooming wonderful perfumes…

 

Wonderland Peony This not only features armfuls of that flower, but pink berries and violets, Anything but cutesy, it’s given a woody-balsamic warmth by cedarwood, alongside vetiver.

Chypre Sublime An utterly modern take on this sophisticated fragrance family, blending incense with Damask rose absolute, midnight violet, pink pepper and geranium, on a stunning base of benzoin, labdanum and olibanum.

Black Lotus The classic English-Rose dressed in a black leather jacket. Intoxicating, spirited, bohemian and alive. Complex and multi-faceted, the sweet honeyed scent of centifolia rose adds depth to lighter, spicy nuances by way of red peppercorn and saffron.

Iris Goddess There’s nothing shy about these violets. An explosion of powdery petals collide with ripe red fruits. Black vanilla, warm musks and earthy carrot seed bring exoticisim and depth, sparkling lemon zest and red chilli pepper add a jolt of life.

London Poppy A love letter to London: a city as tough as ever-lasting poppies. The scent that opens with a bright beam of light. Sicilian Lemon and Florida Orange bring the zing. A salt-spray marine note adds an unexpected sea-facing view.

Neon Rose You will never have smelt flowers like these. Freshly chopped jasmine draped around your neck. Roses around your wrist. And yet no roses were harmed in the making of this showpiece – these buds were cooked up in a lab for extra punch. Crisp, green Angelica leaves bring a botanical dimension, while fresh Bergamot floats overhead.

Wild Vanilla Orchid It’s vanilla, but not as you know it. A raw-edged confection of creamy vanilla beans, blossom, cassis and citrus, dressed in a bunch of just-plucked jasmine. Offsetting the lingering sweetness; bamboo and sandalwood bend and fold underneath.

Ylang Ylang Espresso  A strikingly modern blend of red rose, ylang ylang and jasmine cross paths with a soothing cloud of just-brewed coffee, fresh cream and Sichuan pepper – sustainably harvested from the foothills of the Himalayas. A fragrance to get lost in.

PS: It it isn’t just the fragrances which are strikingly innovative, but the packaging. Each of Floral Street’s full-size bottles showcases a stunning, decadent flower artwork by renowned fashion photographer Matthew Donaldson – whose flower-powered photography also adorns this Discovery Box.

 

 

Finally, those of you who haven’t yet grabbed out latest Garden of Delights Discovery Box [£23 /£19 for V.I.Ps] should sprinkle the seeds of your new scent addictions via this perfectly curated outdoors-inspired selection. Highgrove Bouquet by Penhaligon’s, created with HRH the Prince Of Wales, now King Charles, draws on his own garden at Highgrove. We’d also love to introduce you to new brands Adscenture, EAU.MG and COSMOSSbyKateMoss and Granado is new to the UK. More newness is provided by Floral Street Sweet Almond Blossom. There are also fragrances from Versace, Molton Brown, Mizensir, Juliette has a gun and Shay&Blue all highlighting various flowers and herbs. We’ve also added SBC Arnica Moisturising Gel for other restorative powers from the garden…

Might we suggest a scent appreciation session is in order, where you can sit and relax, perhaps sip a chilled glass of something lovely, and appreciate sniffing each of these garden-centric scents in turn, while browsing through The Scented Letter magazine? How much more salubrious that sounds than battling the throngs of school-holiday crowds – getting to try a whole new wardrobe of fragrances in your own home (or garden!), and in your own time. Bliss!

Written by Suzy Nightingale

Glorious NEW Garden-Inspired Scents from Santa Maria Novella

In our just-published (and rather gorgeous, though we do say so ourselves) Perfumer’s Garden issue of The Scented Letter magazine, the focus was flower-filled gardens. Because isn’t summer all about flowers? It is for every perfume-lover and perfumer that we know.

Coinciding with the opening of a new outdoor space at the Palace of Versailles (below), our themed issue talks to green-fingered perfumers, shares recommendations for scented plants for your garden and showcases a round-up of glorious modern florals, for the home and for the skin, that evoke gardens or greenhouses – a major trend in perfume and home fragrances, right now.

 

 

You can purchase a stunning print copy here (definitely one to keep on the coffee table!) but do also make sure you are signed up to have the free electronic version delivered to your inbox!

 

 

 

We are thrilled to see this garden vibe blossoming across new launches still hitting our desks (our noses aren’t always on the pulse-point of perfumery!) and although this exciting collection from Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella was too late launching to include in our issue, we wanted to share it with you here, as it SO PERFECTLY fits the Perfumer’s Garden theme!

‘Each of our Eau de Parfums expresses a close harmony between the most precious perfumery ingredients. A deep expertise in crafting and combining olfactory notes, and the desire to write the new chapter of a unique heritage. Discover the intimate and powerful homage to the flower and symbol of Florence with L’Iris Eau de Parfum. Discover the most bizarre and fascinating flower and fruit varieties. Immerse yourself in a world of treasures and discoveries, that are expressed through the olfactory senses…’

With the brand celebrating over 800 years of heritage, research and tradition – Santa Maria Novella presents this new collection comprising four Eaux de Parfum – L’Iris, Bizzarria, Gelsomino, and Magnolia – which inspired the Florentine Maison to trace the roots of different flower and plant varieties to produce the beautiful collection.

 

 

 

‘“I Giardini Medicei” is a collection that epitomises the quintessential roots of Officina, starting from its very own, most intimate spirit. And for doing so, it chooses perfumery art as the means of its expression. The most direct of all art forms, that directly envelops the fortunate “visitor” of this splendid and audacious realm.’ Inspired by the stunning Medicean Villas, they beckon us forth to step into the garden and smell these…

 

 

L’Iris (£160.00, 50ml) – ‘The Officina’s very first Eau de Parfum which debuted in spring 2022 earns its place in the ‘I Giardini Medicei; collection. L’Iris Eau de Parfum will now be available in the exclusive double-bottom illustrated box of the collection. The iris flower connects many cultures, it has been a potent symbol of protection since ancient Greece. It carries many names, too: iris, lily, gaggiolo…’

 

 

Bizzaria (£160.00, 50ml) – ‘An original, unexpected Eau de Parfum that pairs the Hesperides traits with resounding notes of Cedarwood. Bizaaria is the most peculiar citrus tree of all: lemon, bitter orgaqn and etrog.’

 

 

Gelsomino (£160.00, 50ml) – ‘Strong notes of Jasmine, this is a floral, woody and spicy scent.’

 

 

 

Magnolia (£160.00, 50ml) – ‘Magnolia Eau de Parfum embraces all the characteristics of the tree that defied time into a powerful olfactory landscape. Notes of white rose and geranium, it confers a multi-layered depth with the heart of magnolia grandiflora paired with the absolutes of magnolia champaca…’.

 

Written by Suzy Nightingale

Forage – Stop to smell the flowers… then eat them, too?

Forage for your food, lately, or too scared to pick your own? There’s a whole world of edible plants growing around us, but if the closest you’ve ever been to foraging for food is scrumping apples (or more recently, scrabbling at the red-stickered items in your supermarket’s Reduced section), you need this beautiful book…

Yes, it’s another book we’ve eagerly added to our Fragrant Reads shelves, but although the publishers of Forage: Wild Plants to Gather and Eat say ‘Anybody can enjoy the increasingly popular back-to-nature activity of foraging’, the truth is, very few of us feel confident enough to start picking some of the foliage we see on our daily walks. Thanks to author Liz Knight’s clear descriptions, and the stunning botanical illustrations of Rachel Pedder-Smith, the identification is made far easier and reading this, you’ll really feel encouraged to explore and diversify with wild ingredients.

What’s more, it’ll certainly make you look at flowers in a different way. From honeysuckle cordial (which sounds like something the fairies would drink in A Midsummer Night’s Dream), pickled cherry blossoms, linden leaf madeleines, dandelion petal cake to damson and rose petal preserves, the accompanying recipes sound like a feast for all the senses.

 

Forage: Wild Plants to Gather and Eat by Liz Knight, illustrated by Rachel Pedder-Smith [Laurence King Publishing]
Buy it at Waterstones

There’s such an elegant and understated confidence to Forage, and no wonder – Liz has a wealth of experience, having spent years learning the ways of foraging, founded Forage Fine Foods – a business she runs from her kitchen in rural Herefordshire – where she teaches courses on foraging and cooking wild ingredients, and also sells some delicious foodie finds. You may also have seen her appearing on the eight-part series of Channel 5’s Escape to the Farm with presenter Kate Humble. But if you’ve the idea that Liz was born in the bosom of the country and learned such skills at her mother’s knee, it certainly didn’t come naturally.

 

 

‘I grew up in normal street in a normal town just outside London,’ says Liz, and it turns out she gradually grew to love freshly picked food having tasted the tomatoes from a neighbour’s greenhouse, and later, worked in care homes and talked to the older residents. Explains Liz:

‘These people knew food; they taught me how to make butter, what cuts of meat to buy and how to cook it, what leaves to nibble on and what food should really taste like…Thanks to them I got a fire in my belly about the wild, wonderful food of Britain and that fire turned into Forage.’

Nowadays we’re becoming used to seeing ‘foraged food’ celebrated on menus of fine dining restaurants, but really Liz wants everyone to feel confident enough to try their hand at picking ingredients growing wild locally. Because Liz’s life now truly is spent searching the local hedgerows in search of scrumptious finds, and we’re sure reading this book will sew some more seeds of the passion for foraging. Now you won’t only want to stop to smell the roses (and wild cherry blossom, linden trees, honeysuckle, gorse…) but eat them (once safely identified!) too.

By Suzy Nightingale