The World's Best-Smelling Flowers is our new blog post where you get to taste some of nature's most incredible fragrances. Our memories play a significant role in our lives; they are often triggered by a sense of smell. The general consensus in the psychological community is that the limbic system serves many more functions than previously understood. The intricacies of this bodily system are known to regulate the emotional self, the formation and storage of memories, sexual arousal, and developmental learning. Let our blog about The World's Best Smelling Flowers remind you of the good smells.
Do you remember when you passed exotic white blossoms of the magnolia tree in summer or the intoxicating aroma of tropical blooms that seemed to surround you on holiday to the islands? Do you recall the sweet scent of Ouma's old-fashioned pale pink roses that seemed to grow untamed in the backyard as you played enjoying life endlessly in your younger years? It's no wonder that fragrant garden flowers are the source of many pleasant recollections and a significant contributor to a calm and peaceful vibe.
Flowers are admired for their beauty and presence, their exquisite shapes and seemingly unending spectrum of colours. Still, some varieties are most loved and respected for their unique fragrances and powerful aromas that trigger those pleasant times experienced in our past. Allow the delicate scent of the lily-of-the-valley to the intense aroma of Wisteria and the soothing smell of jasmine to soothe your mind, body and soul as you read on to learn more about the best-smelling flowers. We've been fortunate at Fabulous Flowers to encounter many avid gardeners that plant their gardens to provide year-round sensory delights for themselves, neighbours and family.
FRANGIPANI
Frangipani ( Plumeria Rubra) is native to warm tropical areas of the Pacific Islands, Caribbean, South America and Mexico but is a prominent flowering tree in South Africa and very popular, naturally due to its gorgeous fragrance and star-like petals. In Hawaii, the Frangipani is known as the lei flower. They grow well in Cape Town and are seen in many gardens and parks.
Frangipani is a beautiful flower which grows in shades of pink, red, yellow and white and delightfully appear to be kissed with a touch of brilliant gold at the centre of every bloom. These blossoms are a lovely addition to a dramatic bouquet, even though they are often unavailable as cut flower stems. Frangipani has a desirable tropical fragrance that seems more intense in the evenings. This flower reminds us of walks on a tropical beach with no care.
We have made the most exquisite garlands and wedding bouquets at Fabulous Flowers using the frangipani blooms. Our favourite vision is when they fall from the trees in abundance and form a beautiful, fragrant carpet on the earth.
Frangipani flower plants can grow as large shrubs or small trees, with long leathery, fleshy leaves near the tips of the branches. Unfortunately, their flowers contain a poisonous, milky sap that can irritate the skin, and you should consult a doctor if an allergy occurs. It's also important to note that the Frangipani tree's wood can be used to make musical instruments, tableware, and furniture for interior decoration.
The World's Best-Smelling Flowers - Frangipani
SWEET ALYSSUM
Lobularia maritime, more commonly known as Sweet Alyssum, has one of the prettiest floral scents in all of God's creation. This flowering plant requires little effort to yield the most beautiful sweet-smelling aromas. Sweet Alyssum is a mat-forming plant with dense clusters of petite, sweet-smelling blossoms. It also proliferates from inexpensive seeds, reseeds itself, and looks fantastic in hanging baskets. Your garden will love this addition, and so will all your neighbours and visiting family and friends.
Fortunately, Sweet Asylum is also one of the easiest annuals to grow. In South Africa, the plants prefer full to partial sun and can tolerate dry soil conditions. However, for the best results, they require moderate watering and well-drained and composted soil that is not too rich in Nitrogen. Their seeds can be sown uncovered directly in the ground as soon as it thaws in the Northern Hemisphere or in the pot.
The plants will bloom from April till September and if you want to extend the flowering period, ensure that you deadhead the spent flowers to prevent seed protection.
The World's Best-Smelling Flowers - Sweet Alyssum
CHOCOLATE COSMOS
Are you a chocolate lover? We have a flower for you! Chocolate cosmos, also known as cosmos astrosanguineum, are known for their unique reddish-brown flowers with light vanilla and sugary fragrance, you know, like the like many chocolate candies have. How delightful! Their smell is intriguing, don't be tempted to taste it, as this is a poisonous blossom.
Chocolate Cosmos are Native to Mexico and herbaceous perennial in warmer climates and annual in colder climates. They can grow from 1 to 3 feet tall (30 to 91 centimetres) and thrive in the fullness of the sun to semi-shade. Some gardeners recommend clustering six to eight plants together to enjoy the full effect of the fragrance, which naturally becomes more robust as summer days heat up.
At Fabulous Flowers, we use them daily to include them in our floral arrangements and bunches. They are gorgeous and add a softness to any creative display.
The World's Best-Smelling Flowers - Chocolate Cosmos
WISTERIA
In South Africa, it's a sure sign of spring when the sweet scent of the Wisteria pendant-like blooms ( wisteria futescens) wafts through the air. Wisteria's prof flowers resemble grape-like clusters, and in some varieties, the clusters can grow up to 3 feet (91.4 centimetres) in length. Wisteria is a vigorous climber which can reach great height by twining its way up support. Regular pruning makes it possible to grow them in suburban gardens where they are a breath-taking sight when in flower in late spring to early summer. The purple-or-white-huedlific petals of the Wisteria will drop within a few days, so it's best to pause, relax under the lovely shade and enjoy this beauty while you can. Walking on the dropped petals, they make a gentle "pop" sound and exude their beautiful scent.
As they are deciduous and lose their leaves, they allow the winter sunshine onto patios, terraces and into the house. The plants are also long-lived and may reach a great age.
Gardeners love the Wisteria's delicate perfume in the spring, but this vigorous vine seems to have a mind the rest of the year. Wisteria loves to climb and wander, seemingly enjoying exploring homes, arches and walls, adding privacy and shade to pergolas or arbours in the summer. Wisteria can also be trained on a trellis or grown horizontally on the ground adding exquisite colour and texture to your home or office space.
The World's Best-Smelling Flowers - Wisteria
SWEET PEAS
Sweet peas ( Lathyrus) have been cultivated for more than 300 years worldwide and are enjoyed for their beauty and the memories of joy they trigger. The gorgeous sweet pea is known for its intensely fragrant flowers and colours. Sweet Pea flowers appear in many different shades, from red and pink to yellow to white, plus combinations of colours. A stem of Sweet Peas bears from one to seven flowers, each about two inches (51 millimetres) wide.
Sweet peas can grow between 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 1.8 meters) tall, and although some bush varieties aren't quite as tall, they still take up a good amount of space. If your suburb or region usually has a mild winter, sweet peas can be planted in April for the best results; otherwise, Sweet Peas are best planted in early spring. You'll be able to enjoy the flowers from spring through summer, although they don't really care for the intense summer heat. Choose a sunny, wind-free spot in your garden. If sowing or planting climbing sweet peas, prop net-covered support up in the north or south-facing direction, or secure with wire mesh to the north or south-facing wall.
If growing from seedlings, plant this 15 cm apart and water regularly to keep the soil moist. Soak the seeds overnight in cotton wool before planting.
Going into your garden and picking a bunch of fragrant sweet peas to give to a friend or next to your bed is the most beautiful experience. The more you pick, the more abundantly the plant will produce blooms.
The World's Best-Smelling Flowers - Sweet Peas
POPPIES
Poppies play a significant role every year, specifically in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth, where war veterans and those that passed in the wars are remembered.
Specifically, Iceland poppies are perennials usually grown as winter annuals in South Africa. Poppies love the light of the full sun and well-prepared beds with well-drained soil to add compost and well-matured manure.
They are beautiful to look at, especially when the sunlight shines through their translucent, crepe-like yellow-orange, pink, red and white petals. They also move gently in the wind and are very calming to watch. Moreover, these elegant annuals have also proven their ability to transform drab winter gardens into show-stopping spring displays. May is the perfect time to plant poppies to ensure they weave their magic in your garden in spring. Plant your Poppies close together to create a spectacular display, your own mini poppy field.
The scent of a bunch of poppies is absolutely heavenly. Whenever we receive them from the farm at Fabulous Flowers, I bury my face into the bunch and inhale their glorious, heady scent.
The World's Best-Smelling Flowers - Poppies
TUBEROSE
The Tuberose plant is a perennial plant, extracts of which are used extensively as a note in perfumery and are among the bestselling florist flowers worldwide. At Fabulous Flowers, we use these beautiful stems in wedding bouquets, arrangements, and bunches we deliver daily. They are always well accepted and treasured.
Tuberoses have spread their passion, fragrance and beauty worldwide for hundreds of years. Their pure intensity inspired their use as funeral flowers in parts of Asia and in Victorian times. Still, in more recent times, Tuberoses have become a wedding favourite and an inspiration in thousands of decorative candles worldwide. Many traditional brides in Hawaii wear tuberose blossom leis, and tuberoses are popular décor and personal adornments for weddings in India and Western cultures.
In the Victorian book "Language of Flowers", tuberose symbolises 'dangerous pleasures. Young girls were discouraged from smelling the flowers to prevent awakening erotic urges.
The World's Best-Smelling Flowers - Tuberose
FREESIA
Freesias are one of the most fragrant spring flowers and symbolise sweetness, friendship and trust. There is also something quite special about these happy flowers; they inspire hope.
Freesias are little beauties that are sure to capture your heart and are grown worldwide for their cheerful colours and fabulously fragrance that last long in a vase and will perfume an entire room, bringing spring into your house.
At Fabulous Flowers, we look forward to spring when they are available in abundance to include in our beautiful arrangements and bouquets of flowers. Freesias remain one of the most sought-after cut flowers commercially today, and the plants are also cultivated for their perfume and used in some of the top fashion brands worldwide. Today, the Freesia essential oil is widely used in soaps, scented candles, potpourri and body oils.
The World's Best-Smelling Flowers - Freesia
LAVENDER
When we think of lavender, we immediately feel peaceful and relaxed. Lavender flowers represent purity, silence, devotion, serenity, grace and calmness. With purple being the colour of royalty, prosperity and spiritual attainment, this flower has an air of refinement, luxury and nobility. The colour is also associated with the crown chakra, the energy centre associated with a higher purpose and spiritual connectivity.
The lavender flower and the oil derived have long histories in herbal medicine. There are many uses for lavender, including traditional floral arrangements, wreaths and the production of lavender oil. Organic Lavender essential oil has a very soothing effect on babies and, if used in a diffuser, helps to put them to sleep. Holding a bunch when trying to fall asleep is also very calming and comforting for stressed adults.
The World's Parow bouquet service Best-Smelling Flowers - Lavender
ST JOSEPH LILY
This beautiful trumpet-shaped lily is one of our favourites here at Fabulous Flowers. The flowers are large and fragrant, especially in the evening. They symbolise purity, innocence, transformation and rebirth and devotion.
They give endless pleasure and last longer in a vase. Their grace and beauty make them a favourite, on their own in a vase or mixed with other blooms. We use them extensively for weddings and funerals, too. All our florists enjoy working with them as they have a natural curve that adds to an arrangement's symmetry or quirky creativity.
The World's Best-Smelling Flowers - St Joseph Lily
HYACINTH
This beautiful little plant grows from a bulb, and the flowers are on a compact spike of bell-shaped fragrance. They are very popular as house plants, with their wonderful scent permeating the space. They are white, blue, lilac, pink and purple.
They are also sold as cut flowers but are tricky to incorporate in bouquets as their stems are relatively short. We use them in bridal bouquets s they are believed to bring good luck and small arrangements whenever possible.
Allow the sweet-smelling flowers to remind you about the goodness in life. Trust that everything will work out for your highest and best good.
The World's Best-Smelling Flowers - Hyacinth
