5 Most Popular Flowers Used in Perfumery and our Top Perfume Picks

Flowers are the magical creations of nature that captivate our attention with their ethereal beauty and enchanting fragrances. Spending time in a blooming garden, being mesmerised by the colours and the scents is probably one of the most relaxing and therapeutic experiences we could have. The exceptional beauty and variety of fragrances of the flowers are the reason their essences are used as the building blocks of perfume compositions.

Here is a list of 5 most popular flowers used to make perfumes.

1. ROSE

Also known as the ‘queen of flowers’ rose is the choice of heart note of many floral perfumes in the market. A traditional symbol of love and romance, its scent is mysterious, evocative and romantic. The essential oil is expensive due to the amount of petals required to produce a small batch of oil. Often referred to as ‘liquid gold’, it takes around 4 tons of rose petals to produce 1 kg of pure rose essential oil.

The smell of roses is thought to be relaxing and restorative because it encourages us to breath deeply and slowly.

Our top pick for a rose perfume from our original collection is Aphrodite, a seductive composition of Turkish rose and black tea, with flirty nuances of pear and peach and the allure of musk.

You may also like Rose of No Man's Land by Byredo. Rose of No Man's Land is the nickname given by soldiers to the nurses who saved thousands of lives during WWI. The scent is tribute to selflessness and compassion.

• Top: Pink Pepper, Turkish Rose Petals

• Heart: Raspberry Blossom, Turkish Rose Absolute

• Base: Papyrus, White Amber

2. PLUMERIA

The Plumeria (frangipani) has the strongest scent among all the floral fragrances, which makes it the heart note of choice of many perfumers. Originating from Mexico and Central America, it is quite popular for its appearance on Hawaiian leis. Plumeria flowers have a rich and deep symbolism in many cultures. They primarily symbolize beauty, charm and grace, but can also symbolise new beginnings, birth, creation, immortality, shelter and protection. The ancient Indians believed that Frangipani represents the infinite life of our soul.

Create a sensory carnival with the Revolution de la Fleur EDP, a soft and sensual fragrance with Madagascan Ylang Ylang, Moroccan Yasmine, frangipani, rose, vanilla and sandalwood by Sana Jardin Paris.

3. VIOLET

Violet is popular in the perfume industry due to its refined fragrance; it’s a soft, powdery and romantic scent. Flower of fertility, in ancient times – and a cure, too: garlands of violets worn around the head were thought to prevent headaches and dizziness. Violet flowers symbolise delicate love, affection, modesty, faith, nobility, intuition and dignity. The meaning of the violet changes depending on the color of the flower and the person the flower is sent to. Blue violet flowers symbolizes love and faithfulness, white violets represent purity and chastity, and yellow violets symbolize high worth and goodness.

Wrap yourself in the comfort of Lán Huā by OLFAC3 Perfumes, a nostalgic composition of powdery violet leaf and galbanum top notes; with white orchid, violet, hyacinth, lilac and iris heart notes, anchored by base notes of sandalwood, tonka bean, amber and musk.

You may also like Bois de Violette by Serge Lutens. Bois de Violette is one of a quartet of “Bois” or wood fragrances to follow from Lutens’ ground-breaking, debut perfume, Féminité du Bois for Shiseido. It is a highly admired, much-loved fragrance which essentially served as the mothership for all the Bois siblings which followed.

Top: Violet leaf, Cardamom

Heart: Candied plum, peach, orange blossom, rose, violet, cinnamon, clove, vanilla, honey.

Base: Cedarwood, Musk

4. LAVENDER

Lavender is the most versatile flower, used for several purposes ranging from culinary to medicinal uses. It is native to the Old World and is well-known for its calming, soothing and aromatic properties. Over 2500 years ago, lavender was used in ancient Egypt during the mummification process. Back in the Elizabethan times, when baths weren't common practice, lavender was used to perfume clothes and bed linen. The scent of lavender also deters mice, flies, mosquitoes and other pests.

Imagine walking down the lavender lane of Provence with Haute Provence 89 by Parle Moi de Parfum, with lavender as the featured heart note, composed with melon, watermelon and a hint of narcissus, conjuring up memories of Provence.

5. JASMINE

Jasmine is considered one of the most pleasant and sweet-smelling flowers in the world. The jasmine flower releases its fragrance at night after the sun has set and especially when the moon is waxing towards fullness. They are harvested just before dawn when their fragrance is at its peak and processed immediately before their fragrance fades away. The flowers of jasmine are also used in aromatherapy due to its calming effect on the brain.The name comes from the Persian word “yasamin” which means “gift from God.”

In many countries, jasmines evoke love and peace and are commonly seen adorning wedding ceremonies. It also symbolises modesty; although jasmine flowers are small and simplistic, they produce a strong and delectable scent.

Fans of jasmine will delight in Q, a special composition of mandarin and pink pepper top notes with jasmine, tuberose and orange blossom heart notes; tied together by cedarwood and musk.

Another jasmine interpretation we love is Le Parfum by Elie Saab. The first fragrance from the Lebanese haute couture designer is simply called Le Parfum. After 279 trial versions, an ultra-feminine, flowery-woody composition has been selected, signed by perfumer Francis Kurkdjian.

Top: African orange flower

Heart: Jasmine Grandiflorum, Jasmine Sambac, Rose, White Honey

Base: Virginian Cedar, Patchouli