BWF 
Posted on 10/13/2025 at 3:55 pm by Ben White Florist / Flowers
People can be particular about their preferences, especially when it comes to fragrance. Our noses are delicate instruments that parse the most subtle scents to warn us of danger, from spoiled food to gas leaks. On the flip side, smell is strongly linked to memory and emotion. When you smell a loaf of bread baking, for example, it may take you right back to your grandmother’s kitchen from childhood.
Flowers are often prized for the beauty of their colorful blooms, but they can be equally well-known for the fragrances they produce. Signature floral scents grace everything from candles and perfumes to sachets and soaps.
Before essences are extracted and added to your favorite products, however, they create the aromas that attract bees and people alike. Which flowers offer the most captivating and recognizable scents? Here are six classics you can probably smell as soon as you hear the name.
When Juliet says, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” in Shakespeare’s famous play, Romeo and Juliet, she means that she loves Romeo even though his family and hers are enemies. As a metaphor, it works perfectly because everyone knows the delectable fragrance of a rose, even if it were to be called something else.
Over the last century, roses were commonly bred for characteristics like color, stem length, and longevity, often at the expense of fragrance. Recently, however, there’s been a resurgence of interest in the intoxicating aromas of heritage roses.
Breeds that have been largely preserved in their natural state, as opposed to being extensively crossbred, feature a complex array of fragrant oils that blend floral, fruity, and even clove-like notes.
Jasmine produces a rich, sweet aroma that can be best described as intense. These tiny flowers pack a massive aromatic punch, thanks to the contrast of fruity and floral notes paired with musky undertones.
Although there are over 200 varieties of jasmine, featuring scent variations that lean toward vanilla or fresh, herbal notes, it’s almost impossible to mistake jasmine for any other bloom. Some varieties can be richly sweet, but many serve up a lighter, albeit still powerful fragrance.
The growing season for these lovely clusters of blooms is short, lasting only a month or two in the spring season. When you smell the delightful scent on a warm afternoon, you know summer is on the way.
The soft, almost creamy aroma pairs a plethora of smells you might find in a baker’s kitchen, including vanilla, almond, and honey, along with an undertone of herbal green. As bushes fill with blooms, the scent can become heady, while in small doses, lilacs have a delicate, powder-soft presence.
Unlike its sweeter-smelling counterparts, the fragrance of lavender is distinctly herbal and woodsy. Mild and somewhat powdery, this scent can border on piney, with a refreshing, camphor aroma akin to freshly cut cedar.
Lavender balances these masculine notes with subtle sweetness that’s far more floral than fruity. This multifaceted combination of smells is uniquely soothing, which is why lavender is a frequent addition to sachets and aromatherapy products.
A favorite of hummingbirds, honeysuckle could be called the scent of summer. As the name implies, there are strong hints of honey in the sweet aroma of these delicate blossoms, which also feature a blend of floral and citrus notes, as well as vanilla.
Less heady than jasmine, the sweetness of honeysuckle is a sugary treat for the nostrils, with a quality that could be described as nectar-like. Strong but not overwhelming, the fragrance of honeysuckle will permeate your garden all summer long.
Lilies don’t tend to have a classically sweet fragrance; instead, they exude a complex mixture of sweet, spicy, and musky scents. What you can’t miss is that their perfume is incredibly strong, making them the ideal backdrop for — as the name suggests — a night gazing at the stars, with a gentle breeze carrying the scent.
There’s no denying the exotic beauty of stargazer lilies, featuring massive fuchsia petals edged in white. When gifting this stunning flower, keep in mind that those who have scent sensitivities may find the potent blooms overpowering, but people who love the spicy smell often prefer it to all others.
Before you send a bouquet for love, sympathy, or just because, take a moment to consider not only how colorful blooms complement each other visually, but also how their beauty is enhanced by fragrance. The aroma of flowers can be just as important as their appearance, if not more so.
When you’re looking for the perfect arrangement to show someone you care, the right scent can enhance your sentiments and take your gift to the next level.
Ben White Florist 
BWF 
