Welcome to Notes on Notes, our regular series explaining what a note is. For our full perspective on notes, read this post. For earlier posts in the series, click here. For an enlightening read on white florals, keep reading.
The note: White florals
The Latin name: album florum
The definition: Trickier than you’d think. Some literally white flowers (like lily of the valley) are classified as green florals, since they smell more like a green flower than a white one. Generally, when you’re talking about a white floral note, you’re referring to something sweet and heady, like jasmine, gardenia or orange blossom.
The fragrance(s): Hanami
The scent profile (per Fragrantica): “White flowers have the most narcotic scent of all flowers; lush, opulent and truly intoxicating.”
The translation (per us): Actually, Fragrantica pretty much nailed this one.
The fun facts:
-The orange blossom is considered an aphrodisiac. (Your mileage may vary.)
-“Edelweiss,” from The Sound of Music, literally translates to “white flower” and is, of course, an ode to same.
-Billie Holiday’s signature flowers in her hair? Gardenias.
-Sigmund Freud loved gardenias, if Wikipedia can be believed.
