Search:

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Top 10 Fragrant Flowers

If you want to know which flowers have the strongest and best fragrance, then this list is for you! Below you will find a list of the flowers with the strongest fragrance to the least fragrant.

All of the flowers on this list certainly make a statement, and make a fabulous addition to any arrangement or bouquet not only for their delicious smell, but also for their unique beauty.

Tuberose

This tall and elegant flower is made up of several smaller white/soft pink flowers that form a long stem with the unopened buds on top. The fragrance is very strong and sweet and is often used in perfumes, toiletries and essential oils.

Tuberoses generally flower in the warmer months from March/April until November and they have a vase life of 7 - 10 days.

Their stems are tall and straight and range in size from 40cm up to 100cm.

When pairing these flowers with others, it is not recommended to use other fragrant flowers, as the scent of the tuberose is so intoxicating, adding more fragrance would be a bad idea.

These flowers are not recommended for people with allergies to pollen.

Oriental Lily

The most popular of all cut flowers by far for it's pure beauty, intoxicating fragrance and versatility is the Oriental Lily. The fragrance of the Oriental Lily is subtle at first, but will increase in intensity as the blooms open. Two or Three stems of Oriental Lilies would be enough to perfume your entire home with it's lovely sweet fragrance.

Thanks to the many glasshouse growers throughout the country, these flowers are available year-round.

Oriental Lilies come in a range of colours, however the most popular cut flower colours are Soft Pink, Hot Pink, Hot Pink/White, Soft Pink/White, Dark Pink, Pure White, White/Yellow & Yellow.

The open blooms of Oriental Lilies are quite large, and can span up to a diameter of 20 - 25 cm. Buying Oriental Lily stems entirely in bud is a great idea, as you will have the enjoyment of seeing them open up completely blemish free and will have the freedom to remove the stamens as you need to. The pollen present on the stamens and the strong fragrance of the Lily can give some people allergies.

Freesia

Small and delicate, Freesias are a popular Spring flower and bring thoughts of Country cottages to mind. Their perfume is more subtle, but sweet and pleasant nonetheless.

Freesias are available almost year round, with perhaps the exception of Summer.

Although small, generally 15 - 30cm in length, Freesias have long straight stems and look great en mass in a vase, all on their own.

Freesias are popular choices as Buttonhole and Corsage Flowers for weddings, and also look amazing as part of a beautiful mixed bridal bouquet. They are available in a range of colours including white, soft pink, hot pink, red, orange, yellow, and purple.

Hyacinth

Good things come in small packages, as is the case with the Hyacinth. These short spring stems usually range from 20 - 30, but have a lovely soft fragrance.

Usually available in the cooler months of the year, from October until April, Hyacinths are popular to use in Country Posies or en masse in a glass vase on their own.

The individual florets can be pulled off the chunky stem and wired for wedding buttonholes or corsages, or floated in water with candles.

They are available in a variety of colours such as white, soft pink, hot pink, purple, lilac, blue, yellow and orange.

Frangipani

One of the most loved tropical flowers is the Frangipani for it's elegant beautiful flowers and lovely sweet smell. There is nothing quite like walking past a Frangipani tree in summer and inhaling the delicious fragrance of these delicate flowers. Frangipani fragrance is used in a variety of ways such as in perfume, toiletries and essential oils.

Generally only grown in warm tropical climates, Frangipanis flower during the warmer months of the year from May until September. They are available in a range of vibrant colours such as yellow/white, hot pink/white, hot pink, hot pink/yellow, hot pink/orange, orange, orange/yellow and orange/yellow/hot pink just to name a few.

A popular way to enjoy frangipanis at home is to float the blooms in a bowl of water, or to place a branch in a vase.

These very delicate flowers grow on trees and bruise very easily, which is why you usually won't find them available at you local florist. You are more likely to find a Frangipani tree for sale at your local nursery, however you must keep in mind that they prefer a warm and humid climate, and do not respond well to frosts.

Jonquil

Another spring flower that packs a punch full of fragrance is the Jonquil, also know as Narcissus.

These little flowers are apart of the Daffodil family and have a very strong smell. A small vase of Jonquils in the home will easily perfume an entire room.

Jonquils like the cooler weather and flower from October until May. They are more popular to display en mass on their own in a vase or to be mixed with other flowers of their kind such as daffodils.

Keep in mind that their stems exude a toxic clear sap, which is poisonous to other spring flowers such as Tulips, Hyacinths, Ranunculus and Freesias, so it is best not to mix them with these flowers.

Jonquils are not ideal for people with allergies to pollen.

Stock

Stocks are a lovely flower on their own and add an elegant dimension to any tall arrangements or bouquets. Their fragrance is soft and pretty and not too overpowering.

Preferring the cooler weather, Stock are available in abundance from October until March, and they have both a single and double bloom variety.

A fairly tall flower, from 50 - 100cm, Stock are also available in a range of pastel colours such as white, soft pink, lavender, lemon and bold colours like hot pink and dark purple.

The flowers of stock are made up of several florets starting with the largest blooms opening at the base of the flower head, and the buds at the top.

Stock are a popular flower to use in large impressive arrangements, country cottage style vases or using the florets in a crystal bowl of water.

Sweet Pea

As the name suggests, Sweet Pea have a lovely sweet and pleasant fragrance. They are also a popular English Country Flower and grow on short stems of 10 - 25 cm.

They are available in a range of pastel shades such as white, baby pink, hot pink, lemon, lavender, lilac and apricot.

Sweet Peas are popular to use in a Country style Posy bouquet, or in a mixed vase of flowers for the home. They are a joy to grow and will grow in abundance in cooler climate areas.

It is often said that if you plant your Sweet Peas on St.Patricks Day, they will flower for you by Easter.

Sweet Peas generally have 2-3 flowers per head and have a standard vase life of 5-7 days.

Peony

The lovely large heads overflowing with petals belong to the Peony, as does it's amazing fragrance.

Peonies like the warmer months, and flower from June until September. They are available in a range of colours and variegated colours such as red, burgundy, hot pink, soft pink, white and hot pink/white, soft pink/white, burgundy/white.

Peony stems can be fairly tall, ranging in size from 50 cm up to 100 cm. They are popular to use in large bouquets, bridal posies and tall arrangements.

The vase life of the Peony is excellent as they will last up to 7 days or more with the proper care.

Peonies are not recommended for people with allergies to pollen.

Rose

The most famous of all fragrant flowers is of course, the Rose. These days, however, due to greenhouse growing, the fragrance of Commercial Roses sold in Florists has sadly been somewhat lost. As roses open, their fragrance intensifies, however garden grown roses seem to fair the best in regard to providing the best smell.

Rose oil is used in many different ways, and the fragrance of Rose is still one of the most popular in the world today, being used in perfumes, toiletries, essential oils, cooking and vitamins.

Roses are a very versatile flower and are used in bouquets, wedding bouquets, buttonholes, corsages, tall arrangements, sympathy arrangements, valentines day, the tango...the list is endless.

They are the most recognisable flower in the world, as is it's fragrance.

Rose fragrance is not too overpowering, and will gently perfume a room as the blooms open.

To Find Out more Make Sure you Check out Lily & Rose - The Online Flower Guide

Amy L. Sampson is the Author of the Online Flower Guide Lily & Rose

Amy's goals are to share her experience, passion and knowledge about Flowers, Weddings and all things Creative.

To see more visit:

http://www.lilyandrose.com.au

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amy_L_Sampson

No comments: