"Flowers are the sweetest thing God ever made and forgot to put a soul into"--Henry Ward Beecher
There is little argument that part of the timeless appeal and fondness for fresh flowers is due in no small part to fragrance; whether it be subtle and sweet, to heady or spicy. It is a common request that a designer include blooms that have this undeniable attribute. And no wonder! The sense of smell is connected to our emotions and memory more so than any other....we remember the gentle breeze though grandma's lilacs, or the anticipation which greeted us with our prom corsage, or the rich aroma of dad at the grill.
Of course most people are familiar with choices like oriental lilies and gardenias. Spring and early summer is an excellent season for those who love the smell of flowers: hyacinths, sweet peas, peonies, freesia, lilacs, lily of the valley sweetening the air. Once the season is past, all is not lost however; look for inexpensive and varied colored stock with it's spicy, chai tea like smell, or the humble carnation with a mild clove scent. Many herbs can enhance the fragrance of your design as well; mint, scented geranium, rosemary, lavender, and even eucalyptus can create a bountiful bouquet for the nose!
Certain rose varieties also still retain this ephemeral and enchanting quality, ask for varieties like attache or ohara. English garden roses often have more fragrance than their common relatives and are a great substitute for peonies in style and size.
There are many surprises to be had; most orchids lack scent, but some are wonderfully aromatic; chocolate cosmos smells like--you guessed it--bittersweet chocolate, and alliums like onions. Even snapdragons have a light, fresh scent like pea pods in the garden.
I encourage you to explore flowers not only with your eyes, but with all your senses and enjoy the natural aromatherapy of having them on your desk or in your home--your nose will thank you!
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