Flowers are like friends, they bring color to the world.”-Unknown
Flowers and seasons play such a big role in the creation of our perfumes at La Fleur by Livvy, each scent is hand crafted to resemble a certain token of a memory, evoke a feeling, or a season. We wanted to put together a representation of our perfumes through the years, symbolized by the flower of the month, like a calendar.
January- Carnation and Snowdrops
These flowers are symbols of admiration, rebirth, and hope, which perfectly describe the
transition into the New Year. Carnation is often a mid-note in perfumery that gives off a balmy and spicy fragrance with a clove like note and was also widely popular in the Victorian/Edwardian era.
February- Violet and Primrose
Violet and Primrose blossom with meanings of modesty and young love. Violets are soft, tender and powdery. Early Arab perfumers had a process for distilling the violet’s oil. Since then, Tiemann & Kruger found a way of separating aroma compounds in Violets which are known as ionones. Napoleon Bonaparte is said to have used violets as the symbol of his love for Josephine. Josephine loved the scent of violets, and wore them on her wedding day.
March- Daffodils
Springtime daffodils remind us of new beginnings and prosperity. The richness of the
spring flowers can be quite a beautiful and soft scent. Daffodils are a soft yet cool scent that is used as mid notes in perfumery since time immemorial with heady, opulent floral animalic scent with green nuances and a hint of hay and tobacco.
April- Daisies and Sweet Peas
Bliss and purity can be emphasized by April’s daisies and sweet pea flowers. Daisies can
be paired with gardenia and vanilla as mid notes to create a white floral and even ozonic scent. Daisies can even be paired with fruity scents to reminisce of springtime picnics and the sweet floral fields.
May- Lily of the Valley
Lily of the valley and Hawthorn bring in sweetness and innocence in the month of May.
These tiny flowers can pack a punch as far as odor profile goes. Lily of the Valley is a symbol of good luck. The tradition of giving lily of the valley flowers on May 1st, is said to have begun back in 1560, when Knight Louis Girard presented King Charles IX with a bunch of lily of the Valley flowers as a token of luck and prosperity for the coming year. Often a top note since its fragrance is ever so sweet, watery, and almost jasmine like with hints of green. Who doesn't like this dainty flower.
June- Rose
Roses in June are immediate symbols of love and happiness. Roses are the cornerstone of
florals in perfumery, there are so many variations that artists can incorporate into their work. These flowers are used in up to 75% of women's' fragrances, where around 70% of Rose oil in the world comes from Bulgaria. These delicate flowers do not produce much oil and must be picked before 10 am as the sun can evaporate their sweetness. Some commonly roses used in perfumery are Turkish, Damask (or Damascene rose) and Rosa Centifolia (the 'hundred-leafed rose'). It is believed that Rose Otto and Attar were started in Persia around the 10th century and used in perfumery.
July- Larkspur and Water Lily
These flowers symbolize positivity and purity. Water lilies show its scent in a subtle and
delicate way. In Greek Mythology, water lilies get their names from the little nymphs that would play by the lake in springtime and have even paralleled modern herbal medicine. This scent is reminiscent of a feminine and quite airy fragrance.
August- Gladiolus and Poppy
This month’s flowers, Gladiolus and poppy, emphasize strength of character and
imagination. Poppies give off a fresh floral scent which pairs well with spicy and sweet scents. Poppies were used in ancient Egypt as symbols for renewal and rebirth, while in Napoleonic wars, poppies grew on the battlefields. With such a diverse history, these flowers symbolize transformation, and are often high in vitamin E oil as well.
September- Aster and Morning Glory
Aster and morning glory are symbols of mortality and love. These dainty flowers are
quite easy to grow and there are over 200 varieties of Asters that are grown in the US. Whilst asters do not have any fragrance, but Aster Oblongifolius has scented blossoms. Morning glories bloom from early summer to the first frost of fall and attract hummingbirds and other pollinators and are a pretty sight in any garden.
October- Marigold and Cosmos
As the world begins to grow colder and more tranquil, October’s flowers, Marigold and
Cosmos remain sweet and bright. Marigold is more of an herbal aroma that finds itself
combining well with woody and balsamic scents and often has a strong musky smell of damp hay or straw. Used sparingly as a base or mid note is more fitting for this flower as it can smell potent on its own.
November- Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum’s honesty and loyalty shine through in the slowing seasons. It’s earthy
scent is quite elegant when mixed with green floral and spicy scents. As a mid-note,
Chrysanthemum highlights the undertones such as musk in a perfume, while leading the way for top notes such as litchi or fruity soft scents.
December- Narcissus and Holly
Narcissus and Holly reign at the end of the year with protection and hope and festivities. The Christmas holly berries that balance well with spices like cinnamon, cloves and ginger. All things that fondly remind you of warmth, family and holiday cheer. Narcissus is a very prominent and well-loved note in perfumery.
Blog post written by Lisel
Credit Sources:
https://www.sylvaine-delacourte.com/en-us/blog/lily-of-the-valley-a-spring-flower
https://perfumesociety.org/ingredients-post/violet/
https://erbology.co/us/poppy-seed-benefits/
https://www.sylvaine-delacourte.com/en-us/blog/carnation-in-perfumery
https://perfumesociety.org/ingredients-post/rose/
https://perfumesociety.org/ingredients-post/water-lily/