Here’s a florist guide listing 50 popular flowers along with their fragrance profile, including the scent description and common uses.
| No. | Flower | Fragrance Profile | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rose | Sweet, floral, rich, sometimes spicy | Perfumes, aromatherapy, skincare |
| 2 | Lavender | Herbal, fresh, calming, slightly camphorous | Essential oils, sachets, candles |
| 3 | Jasmine | Sweet, exotic, intensely floral | Perfumes, teas, skincare |
| 4 | Gardenia | Sweet, creamy, lush | Perfumes, lotions, home fragrance |
| 5 | Lilac | Fresh, powdery, floral | Perfumes, soaps, potpourri |
| 6 | Lily | Sweet, heady, sometimes spicy | Bouquets, perfumes, home decor |
| 7 | Hyacinth | Fresh, sweet, green, slightly earthy | Indoor fragrance, bouquets |
| 8 | Peony | Soft, floral, rosy, fresh | Bouquets, perfumes |
| 9 | Freesia | Fresh, citrusy, light | Body sprays, home fragrances |
| 10 | Narcissus | Sweet, green, earthy | Perfumes, aromatherapy |
| 11 | Tuberose | Creamy, sweet, exotic | High-end perfumes, candles |
| 12 | Orange Blossom | Fresh, citrusy, sweet, floral | Perfumes, skincare, teas |
| 13 | Honeysuckle | Sweet, honey-like | Perfumes, soaps, room sprays |
| 14 | Carnation | Spicy, clove-like, warm | Perfumes, potpourri |
| 15 | Violet | Powdery, sweet, earthy | Skincare, perfumes |
| 16 | Chamomile | Herbal, sweet, apple-like | Teas, skincare, aromatherapy |
| 17 | Magnolia | Sweet, lemony, fresh | High-end perfumes, lotions |
| 18 | Mimosa | Powdery, soft, floral | Perfumes, essential oils |
| 19 | Osmanthus | Apricot-like, sweet, fruity | Perfumes, teas |
| 20 | Sweet Pea | Light, sweet, fresh | Bouquets, perfumes |
| 21 | Geranium | Rosy, citrusy, slightly spicy | Essential oils, perfumes |
| 22 | Marigold | Herbal, slightly musky | Home gardens, skincare |
| 23 | Chrysanthemum | Earthy, herbal | Teas, aromatherapy |
| 24 | Plumeria (Frangipani) | Exotic, sweet, creamy | Tropical perfumes, skincare |
| 25 | Daffodil | Green, earthy, floral | Perfumes, home fragrances |
| 26 | Ylang-Ylang | Exotic, sweet, heady | Perfumes, essential oils |
| 27 | Heliotrope | Sweet, almond-like, vanilla-like | Perfumes, candles |
| 28 | Stock | Clove-like, spicy, sweet | Bouquets, room sprays |
| 29 | Linden Blossom | Sweet, honeyed, citrusy | Teas, perfumes |
| 30 | Wisteria | Sweet, powdery, grape-like | Perfumes, garden decor |
| 31 | Apple Blossom | Sweet, fruity, fresh | Bouquets, perfumes |
| 32 | Cherry Blossom | Light, fresh, slightly sweet | Skincare, perfumes |
| 33 | Snowdrop | Subtle, green, fresh | Bouquets, decorative use |
| 34 | Bluebell | Cool, fresh, slightly sweet | Perfumes, soaps |
| 35 | Iris | Powdery, floral, woody | High-end perfumes, cosmetics |
| 36 | Gladiolus | Subtle, light, sometimes spicy | Bouquets, garden decor |
| 37 | Dahlia | Subtle, green, slightly spicy | Decorative arrangements |
| 38 | Poppy | Soft, warm, sometimes herbal | Perfumes, decorative use |
| 39 | Calla Lily | Clean, fresh, slightly spicy | Bouquets, weddings |
| 40 | Calendula | Herbal, earthy, mildly sweet | Skincare, teas |
| 41 | Sweet Alyssum | Honey-like, sweet | Ground cover, bouquets |
| 42 | Clover | Sweet, herbal, slightly spicy | Lawn gardens, aromatherapy |
| 43 | Elderflower | Sweet, musky, floral | Cordials, teas, skincare |
| 44 | Passionflower | Sweet, fruity, tropical | Teas, aromatherapy |
| 45 | Angel’s Trumpet | Exotic, sweet, heady | Night gardens, perfumes |
| 46 | Night-Blooming Jasmine | Intense, sweet, sensual | Night gardens, aromatherapy |
| 47 | Eucalyptus Flower | Fresh, menthol-like, clean | Essential oils, remedies |
| 48 | Lotus | Fresh, aquatic, slightly sweet | Religious ceremonies, perfumes |
| 49 | Sunflower | Subtle, slightly earthy, nutty | Bouquets, decorative use |
| 50 | Orchid | Exotic, light, floral | High-end perfumes, decor |
Notes:
- Fragrance Strength: Some flowers like jasmine and tuberose are intensely fragrant, while others like sunflowers or dahlias have subtle scents.
- Allergies: Consider sensitivities when choosing highly fragrant flowers for enclosed spaces.
- Blending Tips: Many of these floral scents blend well with citrus, woods, or spices for creating perfumes or room sprays.
This table provides an excellent resource for exploring floral fragrances, whether you’re a florist, perfumer, or simply a flower enthusiast!
Guide to Combining Flowers into Fragrance Pyramids
Fragrance pyramids are structured into top notes, middle (heart) notes, and base notes. Here's a table showing how flowers can be combined into balanced fragrance pyramids, with suggestions for complementary flowers in each category.
| Note Type | Flower Examples | Scent Characteristics | Complementary Notes (Other Flowers) | Common Combinations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Notes | Freesia | Fresh, citrusy, light | Jasmine, Rose, Orange Blossom | Freesia + Jasmine + Tuberose |
| Neroli (Orange Blossom) | Bright, citrusy, floral | Lavender, Gardenia, Ylang-Ylang | Neroli + Lavender + Magnolia | |
| Lily of the Valley | Delicate, fresh, green | Lilac, Hyacinth, Violet | Lily of the Valley + Hyacinth + Musk Rose | |
| Hyacinth | Sweet, green, slightly earthy | Freesia, Gardenia, Mimosa | Hyacinth + Mimosa + Osmanthus | |
| Sweet Pea | Light, floral, slightly fruity | Lilac, Apple Blossom, Violet | Sweet Pea + Apple Blossom + Rose | |
| Geranium | Rosy, citrusy, green | Rose, Peony, Lavender | Geranium + Rose + Bergamot | |
| Middle Notes | Rose | Classic, floral, romantic | Jasmine, Violet, Carnation | Rose + Jasmine + Vanilla Orchid |
| Jasmine | Sweet, exotic, intensely floral | Orange Blossom, Tuberose, Lavender | Jasmine + Tuberose + Ylang-Ylang | |
| Gardenia | Sweet, creamy, lush | Lily, Honeysuckle, Neroli | Gardenia + Honeysuckle + Magnolia | |
| Peony | Rosy, soft, fresh | Freesia, Rose, Sweet Pea | Peony + Sweet Pea + Violet | |
| Magnolia | Sweet, lemony, fresh | Jasmine, Tuberose, Rose | Magnolia + Jasmine + Musk | |
| Carnation | Warm, spicy, clove-like | Rose, Geranium, Lavender | Carnation + Lavender + Amber | |
| Honeysuckle | Sweet, honey-like | Gardenia, Jasmine, Tuberose | Honeysuckle + Gardenia + Vanilla | |
| Violet | Powdery, sweet, slightly earthy | Rose, Peony, Iris | Violet + Iris + Lily of the Valley | |
| Base Notes | Tuberose | Creamy, exotic, heady | Jasmine, Rose, Ylang-Ylang | Tuberose + Jasmine + Musk |
| Ylang-Ylang | Sweet, sensual, slightly spicy | Jasmine, Tuberose, Carnation | Ylang-Ylang + Rose + Sandalwood | |
| Iris | Powdery, woody, soft | Violet, Rose, Musk | Iris + Violet + Amber | |
| Mimosa | Powdery, soft, warm | Violet, Rose, Heliotrope | Mimosa + Heliotrope + Vanilla | |
| Heliotrope | Almond-like, vanilla-like, sweet | Jasmine, Rose, Iris | Heliotrope + Jasmine + Sandalwood | |
| Osmanthus | Fruity, apricot-like, sweet | Gardenia, Jasmine, Tuberose | Osmanthus + Jasmine + Vanilla | |
| Plumeria (Frangipani) | Sweet, tropical, creamy | Tuberose, Gardenia, Ylang-Ylang | Plumeria + Tuberose + Amber | |
| Vanilla Orchid | Sweet, warm, gourmand | Jasmine, Rose, Heliotrope | Vanilla Orchid + Rose + Amber | |
| Patchouli (Earthy Flowers) | Earthy, woody, musky | Rose, Jasmine, Tuberose | Patchouli + Jasmine + Amber |
How to Build a Fragrance Pyramid
- Select a Theme: Choose the dominant characteristic of your fragrance, e.g., floral-sweet or floral-fresh.
- Top Notes: Pick flowers that are light and airy for the first impression. These should evaporate quickly, leaving room for middle notes.
- Middle Notes: Choose flowers with balanced, rich scents to form the fragrance's core. This is the heart of the perfume.
- Base Notes: Use flowers with heavier, creamy, or earthy tones to provide lasting depth and fixation.
Example Fragrance Pyramid Combinations
| Combination Theme | Top Notes | Middle Notes | Base Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Romantic Floral | Freesia, Neroli | Rose, Jasmine | Tuberose, Vanilla Orchid |
| Fresh Garden | Hyacinth, Lily of the Valley | Peony, Magnolia | Iris, Heliotrope |
| Tropical Escape | Sweet Pea, Neroli | Gardenia, Ylang-Ylang | Plumeria, Osmanthus |
| Spicy Floral | Geranium, Carnation | Rose, Violet | Ylang-Ylang, Amber |
| Powdery Soft | Violet, Lily of the Valley | Mimosa, Jasmine | Iris, Heliotrope |
This table provides a starting point for creating harmonious floral blends, whether for perfumery, aromatherapy, or personal use.
