Gardenia – the fragrance of elegant summer garden parties and sweet earthy flowers. Gardenia has long been on the perfumery scene since the early 1900s.
Due to its longevity, people can steer away from floral scents such as gardenia as they can be perceived as brash or old-fashioned. However, I’m here to tell you that gardenia is anything but old school.
But what does gardenia smell like? In this blog post, you’ll learn the following:
- What gardenia fragrances smell like
- What scents smell similar to gardenia
- Some favorite fragrances containing gardenia
- And more, so keep on reading
What Does A Gardenia Fragrance Smell Like?
Unlike many floral perfumes you may have tried, gardenia is often described with creamy and breezy tones, similar to coconut.
It is accompanied by sweet, earthy undertones, making it completely intoxicating. Experiencing the scent of gardenia is enough to transport you to a garden in full bloom.
I like to describe gardenia with these notes:
- Rich floral notes
- Spicy and zesty
- Creamy
- Green undertones
- Citrusy sweet
Gardenia is unique to other popular florals. It is more feminine than jasmine scents, creamier than ylang-ylang, and softer than tuberose.
What Scents Smells Similar To Gardenia?
Gardenia has a unique and distinctive scent, but there are a few other scents that can smell similar to it. Here are some scents that you might find similar to gardenia:
- Jasmine: Jasmine has a sweet and floral scent that is often compared to gardenia. The two scents have similar notes and are often used together in perfumes and candles.
- Tuberose: Tuberose has a sweet and creamy scent with a hint of spice. It is often used in floral arrangements and can be a good alternative for to gardenia.
- Frangipani: Frangipani has a sweet and exotic scent similar to gardenia. It has a slightly more tropical feel and can be a good option if you’re looking for something a little more unique.
- Ylang-ylang: Ylang-ylang has a sweet and floral scent often used in perfumes. It has a similar sweetness to gardenia and can be a good alternative if you’re looking for something a little different.
- Honeysuckle: Honeysuckle has a sweet and fruity scent with a hint of floral notes. It has a similar sweetness to gardenia and can be a good option if you’re looking for something a little lighter.
What Is Gardenia?
Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides) is an evergreen plant found in South East Asia. Its pure white petals are surrounded by delicate fruits and manicured leaves. The scented petals come into bloom throughout the summer and autumn seasons.
Despite there being over 200 varieties of gardenia, ‘the common gardenia’ or the ‘cape jasmine’ are the most popular varieties used to create perfume.
The flower grew in popularity way back in 960-1279 AD when the flower was often depicted in Chinese paintings.
Gardenia is now a well-established scent in the perfume industry, the perfect floral base for any summer scent.
Why Choose Gardenia Fragrance?
Many years before gardenia was used in perfumery, it was used as a traditional ingredient in Chinese medicine to heal disease.
One study has found that gardenia berries contain particular chemical compounds that make them an effective ingredient for medicine. This ingredient continues to be used today as an ingredient to promote blood circulation in the body.
Alongside the medicinal benefits of the gardenia fruit, the scent of gardenia is also believed to hold benefits for the body. It is believed inhaling the smell of gardenia can reduce stress, elevate mood and reduce feelings of anxiety.
So, a few sprays of gardenia will not only have people thinking you have been lying on a bed of fresh flowers but can also help you feel relaxed throughout the day!
What Fragrances Contain Gardenia?
Some of my favorite fragrances containing gardenia are:
Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Eau De Parfum
Key fragrance notes: Pear Blossom, Red Berries, Gardenia, and Jasmine.
A well-balanced blend of gardenia, pear, berry, and subtle notes of sweet sugar. Gucci Flora is the perfect feminine take on this classic fragrance. Even the bottle is a work of art, having been painted by artist Vittorio Accornero in 1966.
Chanel Gardenia Parfum Grand Extrait
Key fragrance notes: Orange Blossom, Gardenia, Tuberose, Jasmine, Coconut, Vanilla, Musk, Sandalwood, Vetiver, and Patchouli.
Dating back to 1925, this perfume was created by the same mastermind that brought us the timeless Chanel No.5. With bold jasmine notes that complement the gardenia, accompanied by the citrusy notes of orange blossom and sweetness of vanilla.
Byredo Casablanca Lily Extrait De Parfum
Key fragrance notes: Gardenia, Plum, Indian Tuberose, Carnation, Honey, and Palisander Rosewood.
Byredo can rarely go wrong with their scents; Casablanca Lily is no exception. The sweet notes from black plum, gardenia, and tuberose dance with the spicy notes from wood to give this fragrance an exquisite mix of scents.
Versace Crystal Noir
Key fragrance notes: Pepper, Ginger, Cardamom, Coconut, Gardenia, Orange Blossom, Peony, Sandalwood, Musk, and Amber.
For something on the spicier side, opt for Versace’s take on gardenia. The florals of gardenia blend with spicy notes of pepper, ginger, and cardamom to create a unique balance of scents.
Pacifica Tahitian Gardenia Spray Parfum
Key fragrance notes: Gardenia, Jasmine, Sweet Orange, and Tea Leaf.
A vintage-inspired, purse-friendly perfume. The sweet fragrance of orange mixed with the floral scent of gardenia come together to create the smooth citrusy scent of Pacifica. Perfect for those wanting the classic floral scent without the hefty price tag.
What Other Scents Go Well With Gardenia?
Gardenia is known as a unique scent that is cosmically balanced alone (meaning there is already a wide range of notes within the fragrance), making it one of the few fragrances that work well alone.
However, gardenia still mixes well with other scents, such as cinnamon, citruses, and other florals, including tuberose, jasmine, and ylang-ylang. Its rich floral scent makes it a perfect accompaniment to other summery scents.
Conclusion On What Does Gardenia Smell Like
Gardenia is a satisfyingly sultry take on floral perfume. Don’t be fooled into thinking this is an old-fashioned scent because gardenia is the ultimate, classic floral fragrance.
It is the perfect accompaniment for summer garden parties, with the ability to wear it day or night. Its warm, exotic, earthy, and downright intoxicating scent deserves a place on any perfume stand.
