7 best smelling flowers

One of the most common complaints we hear in a flower shop is why do flowers I buy from flower shops never have a smell. The honest truth is that flowers that are bred for cut flowers are bred without a smell. In fact nowadays cut flowers that have a smell actually cost a lot more. So here is a list of 7 of the best smelling flowers to get you started on your own perfumed flowers to buy during the year.

1. The Garden Rose

Garden Rose fragrances actually vary a lot between them. You will find garden roses with citrusy smell others with a fruity scent, musky, spicy, and sweet, among others. One of our favourites is the Caffe Latte rose – with its unique colour and fragrance its an amazing wedding rose – it is however quite a pricey rose.

2. The Freesia

I am sure that it will not be surprising to many that freesias are one of our favourite flowers. They are delicate, multi-coloured and they have a fresh, sweet and light smell that fills your home with the smell of spring – some say they also smell a hint of citrus in them, too. In fact it is one of the only smells that perfumers have not managed to replicate. We grow many varieties of freesia in our fields and we are happy to include them in weddings when they are in season as they make for the perfect wedding flowers.

3. Matthiola

Matthiola – commonly known as ‘Gizi’ In Maltese and Stock flower in English. This is a humble flower with an extremely rich scent. The scent of this pretty flower is usually compared to that of spicy vanilla and for many the scent brings to mind memories of their childhood. This humble flower now actually retails for quite an expensive price mainly because of the challenges that the change in weather have brought in cultivating high quality matthiola. You will find it in stock at our shop between March and May so don’t miss out on the chance of getting it.

4. Lavender

Lavender has a delicate yet complex smell that everyone recognises. It is sweet, floral, herbal, and woodsy at the same time. The Lavender flower is best used as a dry flower as if used fresh it will wilt within a few hours. In fact we use it in our creations often as according to our clients its one of the best smelling flowers ever, but we always use it as a dry flower.

5. Peony

Peonies are considered one of the most seductive scents in the perfume world. From our experience working with flowers the most fragrant peonies are white, pink and coral varieties. Red peonies do not normally have any smell. But of course, there are exceptions to these. Peonies are very delicate flowers and in Malta we only recommend using them in May when they are in peak season in Europe.

6. Sweet peas

These flowers are not very well known and probably most of you have not come across them as they do not travel well. So unless your florist is a flower grower they probably will not have them at their shop. They have a fresh scent with a citrusy twist. One of our florists describes them perfectly – she says they smell like a garden stroll on a perfect spring day in Malta. So far we do not grow large amounts and they are available in our shop usually in April/May.

7. Lilac or Syringa

We discovered this flower thanks to one of our Russian clients who asked us if we can grow this for her as the smell reminds her of her home. The lilac flower or syringa has a soft, relaxing and romantic scent. It is also a very long lasting flower with very pretty colours.

How long does the smell of a flower last?

This varies by flower type. Some flowers, like oriental lilies, have longer-lasting scents that can fill a room for several days but we did not mention them here as they cause a lot of allergies and we do not usually stock them for this reason. The best smelling flowers that last the longest according to us are freesia.

What plants make your house smell fresh?

When it comes to plants if you really want a smell in the house choose a herb like Mint, Lemon Balm, or else Gardenia or jasmine plants as these create the best atmosphere in the home as well.