Fragrance Profile of 50 Popular Flowers

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

  1. Select a Theme: Choose the dominant characteristic of your fragrance, e.g., floral-sweet or floral-fresh.
  2. Top Notes: Pick flowers that are light and airy for the first impression. These should evaporate quickly, leaving room for middle notes.
  3. Middle Notes: Choose flowers with balanced, rich scents to form the fragrance's core. This is the heart of the perfume.
  4. 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.

— Gerald H
Tagged: Florist, Flower delivery

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