ÇaFleureBon Gardenia and Tiare in Perfumery “Flower of Secret Love”+ 14 Best Gardenia Perfumes Draw

gardenia  perfume photo cafleurebon

Photo: Gardenia in full bloom grown in the garden of reader Sandi Lundberg

Pure white flowers, deep green foliage, and a fragrance that can be fresh and yet sensual at the same time. With vibrant green topnotes, a luxurious white-flowers heart, just a hint of fruit, and afternotes of sweet balsam, the aroma of a gardenia says ‘floral’ in so many ways. A young woman’s first corsage, flowers for a wedding, or a languorous floral scent on a tropical evening, the fragrance brings inescapable associations.

billie holiday gardenia in her hair

The legendary Billie Holiday always went onstage with a gardenia in her hair

Singing of love and longing, evoking beauty and loss, the jazz icon Billie Holiday took advantage of the contrast between the pure loveliness of the gardenia and the haunting nature of her voice and songs. She always wore one in her hair, making it her signature look. It began early in her career when she burned her hair with curling tongs just before a performance. Her friend Carmen McRae went out to find some flowers to cover the burned spot and came back with gardenias from the flower girl in the club entrance.

gardenia CORSAGE vintage

Vintage Photo Gardenia Corsage

With a scent that is strong enough that it can welcome someone to a home where it is planted or overpower a small room, gardenias are not shy and retiring. The white blooms may prove too much in a corsage for someone who doesn’t love the fragrance. Often described as an outstanding floral fragrance, gardenia is sweet and green with definite fatty notes, somewhat similar to frangipani, and yet slightly fruity with even a hint of wintergreen. Some also detect a note of mushroom, honey, coconut, or balsam.

Gardenia jasminoides J.Ellis  1842 botanical illustration

Gardenia Botanical Print, 1942

Sometimes called Cape Jasmine, the gardenia is a member of the family Rubiceae or the coffee family. Gardenias (Gardenia jasminoides) originated in Asia and have been cultivated in China for at least 1000 years. They were introduced to the United States in Charleston, South Carolina in 1762 when Dr. Alexander Garden planted some, giving them his name. Gardenias in their many forms are grown and loved throughout the world.

gardenia enfleurage

Gardenia Enfleurage photo by Elise Pearlstine

Although the aroma of gardenias is often evoked through perfume art, extractions of gardenia flowers are very rare and pricey. Historically, 5,000 kilos of the flowers were used to produce one kilo of the solvent extracted absolute. Quality gardenia extracts have been absent from the market for many years until recently when artisanal growers began capturing the scent once again. In one example, a small organic farm in Colombia captures the full glory of gardenia flowers in palm oil to create an enfleurage. Some natural perfumers either create their own infusion or use gardenia absolute in their compositions which takes tremendous skills and many trials.

rodrigo-flores-roux wearing a gardenia

Senior Perfumer Rodrigo Flores Roux of Givaudan wearing a gardenia boutenniere

Due to the cost of true gardenia products, many perfumers prefer to construct their own. A re-creation of gardenia can be made with aromachemicals that evoke the white floral, green leafiness with milky coconut nuances. Arquiste Parfumeur’s Boutonniere No. 7 is inspired by the elegant boutonnieres of the Belle Epoch.  Sr. Perfumer Rodrigo Flores-Roux speaks of re-creating a gardenia scent in a ÇaFleureBon interview:Gardenias are somewhat wild and raw, and you have to be careful not to domesticate the scent too much. The perfume must remain a bit unbridled. For a gardenia, the sharp green edge has to echo the milky, almost buttery sides harmoniously, and the animalic sides, which are both indolic and cresolic have to be very present as well. The descriptors "fruity", "ripe", "bitter", jasminic", "honey-like", "smoky" and "fungus-like" also come into play.” 

mapplethorpe gardenia

Robert Mapplethorpe Gardenia, 1978

Octavian – Sever Coifan, perfumer and fragrance historian, gives us these synthetic notes for formulating a realistic gardenia fragrance: "styrallyl acetate, tiglates (cis 3 hexenyl and benzyl, they are characteristic for the gardenia note) plus several benzoates (methyl and cis-3 hexenyl). Also, the lactonic milky touch given by jasmolactone (Firmenich) and touches of nonalactone (coconut tuberose note)."

the blue Gardeniamovie-poster

Blue Gardenia Movie Poster starring Ann Bancroft

According to Artisan Perfumer Ineke Ruland,"I did try out a natural gardenia enfleurage but it did not work well for me.  With the enfleurage extract there is a long period of mushroom before it kicks into something resembling the natural flower, so I didn’t find it useful.  In the past, perfumers have created gardenia notes by adding galbanum to tuberose and a bit of jasmine, but I think that creating a complex accord using headspace lets you get much closer to the scent of real gardenia. The key to the gardenia accord is to use creamy, lactonic notes in addition to the floral notes.  Also, most people don’t realize how many green components there are in the natural flower.  I played on that by adding even more green notes like fig and galbanum to the fragrance.  Hothouse Flower is a super-green gardenia".

vintage chanel gardenia ad

 CHANEL Gardenia Vintage Ad (happy birthday Coco Chanel August 19, 1883)

It is purported that in the late 1800’s Guerlain produced one of the first gardenia perfumes and American perfumer Richard Hudnut made gardenia very famous in the time leading up to the late 1920s with gardenia talcum powders, eau de parfums and oils.  One of the great stories is CHANEL Gardenia.  According to a CHANEL spokesperson, "Mademoiselle Chanel signature emblem – the camellia – had no scent. Fortunately, the gardenia, which the camellia  resembled had a beautiful aroma. In 1925,  she asked Perfumer Ernest Beaux to  compose a perfume from gardenia, that would fill the air with fragrance. He created a stunning and avant-garde evocation of this magnificent flower. Green notes, a creamy heart and a trail full of fantasy… All of the flower was there – its leaves, its petals, enhanced by the spirited characteristic touch of the Coco Chanel and Ernest Beaux".

jungle gardenia tuvache 1932 vintage ad

 The House of Tuvache made Gardenia a household word with women with the introduction of the sensual and some say overpowering Jungle Gardenia in 1932. Today, one of the most expensive and coveted gardenia fragrances is JAR JARdenia  by Jean Guichard  which re-creates gardenia and captures the classic green, earthy mushroom facet of the flower.

Shen Zhou Gardenia

Shen Zou Gardenia (栀子花) Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)

There are at least 142 species of gardenia growing in areas of Africa, Asia, and Australia. Although most gardenias are white, there are also golden and ivory-colored gardenias, all with a similar fragrance. The Vietnamese ‘gardenia’ superficially resembles gardenias in flower and scent but is actually unrelated. Gardenias grow wild along streams in Asia and once grew in such profusion in Hong Kong that they may have led to the naming of the town, Hong Kong meaning ‘fragrant harbor.’ The beautiful flower has appeared in Chinese art over the last millennia.

chanel gardenia ernest beaux 1925

CHANEL gardenia illustration

In South Africa Gardenia thunbergia exhibits its showy, perfumed flowers that are most fragrant at night and are pollinated by local moths. The large fruits may be eaten by elephants, antelopes, and buffalo. In the United States, gardenias are grown everywhere, especially in the Southern States where their scent is known as the "CHANEL No. 5 of the South."

Gardenia taitensis, aka  Tahitian Gardenia or Tiare Flower botanical print

Botanical illustration of Tiare Flowers

Tiare, the Queen of Polynesian flowers, is a striking, white, star-shaped flower that is actually a gardenia. It grows on a small shrub in the family Rubiaceae, a large family that also contains gardenia and coffee; Tiare is known as Gardenia Tahitensis. The scent of tiare flowers is described as reminiscent of both gardenia and tuberose, green with just a hint of apple blossom. 

Two Women Aka Flowered Hair - Paul Gauguin  tiare

Two Women Aka Flowered Hair – Paul Gauguin

Tiare is indigenous to Polynesia and is used in leis and beauty products there. Monoi oil is produced in Polynesia from the flowers of the Tahitian gardenia using coconut oil and an infusion of the flowers. (Read more about Tiare perfumes in ÇaFleureBonTropical Fruits and Flowers Post here)

  gaugin young man with a flower

Paul Gaugin Young Man with a Flower

In the language of flowers gardenia means joy and purity and is associated with thoughts of beauty, making it a popular wedding flower. It can be a signal of secret love – so if someone gives you a gardenia you should perhaps take a second look at them. A gardenia worn over the right ear means you are available. It seems possible that an entire conversation could be carried out by the giving and receiving of a gardenia!

gardenia- language of flowers

 Gardenia vintage Postcard

Gardenias have the reputation of being difficult to grow but, really, just require a bit of patience and understanding. Mainly, they need time to adjust to their new home and may drop their buds in the meantime. They do well as a potted plant and in cooler areas they can be grown in pots outdoors and brought inside during cooler weather. They should flower throughout the summer in good conditions. In Japan the gardenia is a popular bonsai plant and one of the few with large blooms.

courtesans shanghai 1920 s gardenia

Shanghai Courtesans dyed their undergarments with gardenia seeds, vintage1920s illustration

An important plant in traditional Chinese medicine, the bitter taste and cold nature of the fruit makes it good for moderating fevers, treating jaundice, and cooling the blood. The seeds are also good to sooth irritability and a tea may be made that is especially calming. Menopausal women may use the tea to alleviate depression, headaches, and dizziness. The act of making the tea and steeping with oolong, perhaps, is itself calming and the gardenia aroma is unique and lingering. The seeds, themselves a rich red color, produce a deep yellow color that can be a replacement for saffron yellow. Some say that courtesans in Shanghai would dye their undergarments with gardenia seeds. 

gardenia dress  todd murphy

Gardenia Dress Todd Murphy

In magick, gardenia is considered a feminine essence, being used to attract good spirits and bring peace to rituals while increasing spirituality and assisting in healing. When a gardenia bush is planted by the front door in the southern United States it represents grace and hospitality.

Mr. Oscar Wilde, 1891 bouttoneire

Oscar Wilde wearing a Bouttoneire (not a gardenia but a dyed green carnation), August 6, 1891 ,Getty Photos

The elegant gardenia was a stylish accent in 19th century European society. Men would wear gardenia boutonnieres to fancy dress occasions as an aid to flirting or gift them to a lady friend who might wear one on the shoulder strap of an evening gown or in her hair.

Complex, nuanced, beautiful and yet simply welcoming and peaceful, the fragrance of gardenia and the composition of gardenia perfumes defies the easy categories. It is iconic and yet difficult to capture, requiring patience and understanding of true beauty. 

Elise Pearlstine,  Sr. Contributor and Perfumer for Tambela (be sure to read Elise's The Art and Beauty of Natural Ingredients blog).

Art Direction: Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief

Gardenia-beautytahitian_gardenia

For our Gardenia perfumes and Tiare perfumes draw

gardez-moi-eau-de-parfum jovoy

WORLDWIDE  50 ml Jovoy Paris Gardez Moi  (a ÇaFleureBon Best of Summer Perfume, you can read The Silver Fox's Review here)

 

CuirDeGardeniaEDPSample aftelier

WORLDWIDE ALL NATURAL: 2ml of Aftelier Perfumes Cuir Gardenia, composed by Mandy Aftel using tiare absolute (gardenia tahitensis), Tama's review of Cuir Gardenia is here

DSH PERFUMES PINK GARDENIA

WORLDWIDE: DSH PERFUMES Pink Gardenia, composed by Dawn Spencer Hurwitz using gardenia absolute and an all botanical reconstruction

ormonde jayne tiare eau de parfum

EU, USA and Canada 50 ml of Ormonde Jayne Tiare Perfume, composed by Linda Pilkington and Geza Schoen with Tiare Absolue

penhaligons GARDENIAEAUDETOILETTE reformulated in 2009 by bertrand duchaufour

EU, Canada and USA: 100 ml of Penhaligon's Anthology Gardenia, reconstructed in 2009 by Bertrand Duchaufour

hothouseflower BY INEKE

USA ONLY: 75 ml of Hot House Flower, Composed by Ineke Ruhland, you can read our review here Awarded a Best of Scent 2012

intense tiare montale perfume best gardenia and tiare perfumes

USA ONLY:  50 ml Montale IntenseTiare with Tiare flower courtesy of EuroPerfumes

 

arquiste boutonniere no. 7

USA ONLY: 7 ml of  Arquiste Perfumes Bouttoniere No. 7, composed by Yann Vasnier and Rodrigo Flores-Roux; you can read our review here Awarded a Best of Scent 2012

lpo

USA ALL NATURAL  LPO ORGANICS  5 ml Yellow Lupine Gardenia, perfumer Libby Patterson

perfect gardenia sarah horowitz oil

USA ONLY  6.2 ml Sarah Horowitz Parfums  Perfect Gardenia Oil, composed by Sarah Horowitz-Thran

 

npg logo

gardeniaenfleurage

 WORLDWIDE ALL NATURAL Ambrosia Perfume by Nature 25ml of an actual Gardenia Enfleurage in Macademia Nut oil, created by Ambrosia Jones

 

Kewdra bottle

USA only ALL NATURAL 3.5 ml Anya's Garden Kewdra composed for the Mystery of Musk Internet Perfume Project by Anya McCoy with gardenia absolute and G.J asminoides; you can read our review here

strange invisble perfumes epic gardenia eau de parfum

USA only ALL NATURAL:  15 ml Strange Invisible Perfumes Epic Gardenia, composed by Alexandra Balahoutis

Gardenia+with+travel+sprayer

USA only ALL NATURAL: 5 ml JoAnne Bassett Madame Pompadour from the Royal Collection with fresh Gardenia flower infusion from her garden

Editor's Note:  Thanks to our special guests, Octavian Coifan, Rodrigo Flores-Roux and Ineke Ruhland for their valuable contributions. What  can one write about the generosity we receive from our draw  sponsors (including the Natural Perfumers Guild who participates each month).  We must acknowledge our greatest gift,  Sr Contributor Elise Pearlstine who spends an average of 18 hours researching each Perfume Ingredients and Materials post.

To be eligible for our Gardenia and Tiare in Perfumery draw, please leave a comment about what you learned from this article and as many of the fragrances you would like to win (Country restrictions, so let us know if you are an International reader). Be sure to include at least one natural perfume when you post your choices. Draw closes August 24,  2014

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

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106 comments

  • I’ve been obsessed with heady feminine beautiful gardenia this summer! I knew of Billie Holiday’s famous trademark gardenia, but I was very interested to learn that it came about because of a hairstyling accident. I would love to win Gardez Moi, Anthology Gardenia, Hot House Flower, IntenseTiare, or Epic Gardenia. I live in the USA

  • The Gardenia is absolutely my favorite flower and Montale Intense Tiare is my favorite perfume! I did not know that there were medicinal benefits to this lovely flower; as if the fragrance is not enough to cure anyone’s woes. Would love to try Gardez Moi, Pink Gardenia, Cuir Gardenia, Ormonde Jayne Tiare, or Sarah Horowitz Perfect Gardenia Oil. Or any of them really!

  • Delighted to learn that the bitter taste and cold nature of the fruit makes it good for moderating fevers,cooling the blood and treating jaundice. And a further Wow factor- Menopausal women may use the tea to alleviate depression, headaches, and dizziness! Not just a pretty face our Tiare. I’d love to win Ambrosia Perfume by Nature (thank you Ambrosia) DSH PERFUMES Pink Gardenia, Mandy’s Aftelier Perfumes Cuir Gardenia and while I’m on a roll… 50 ml Jovoy Paris Gardez Moi . I’m international and thanks for a lovely review.

  • Sure learned there were 142 species of the flower.
    Ormond Jayne Tiare, SIP Epic Gardenia, Penhaligon’s Anthology Gardenia. usa 🙂

  • I love gardenia! The article is great.I didn’t know that tiare was in the gardenia family. I thought it was related to tuberose. I also like what it means and is used for in “magick”. It’s very hard to chose from this group of scents, but here goes….Aftelier Perfumes Cuir Gardenia, Jovoy Paris Gardez Moi, Hot House Flower, Yellow Lupine Gardenia. US

  • Joy and Purity… absolutely. One of these beauties can scent and entire backyard. I once had some one ask about a bouquet of these gems… my reply was they come very sparingly. I believe for a reason.. 😉 Loved learning of the Magick to attract good spirits and bring peace to rituals while increasing spirituality and assisting in healing. Great post Elise on a truly ethereal bloom in my opinion. Would love Pink Gardenia, Cuir Gardenian and Gardez Moi! I am in the US.

  • What didn’t I learn? 142 varieties, worn by dandies , a substitute for Coco Chanel ‘s Camelia! Tiare like someone mentioned I thought was tuberose or frangipani related
    This was my favorite post on gardenia on any perfume blog , the art and the writing is spectacular,
    Getting perfumers to talk about the creation of their gardenia was really enlightening.
    An embarrassment of riches
    Afteliers Cuir gardenia (I just love Mandy Aftel)
    Strange invisible perfume Epic gardenia
    Penhaligon anthology gardenia
    Intense Tiare by Montale
    Ormonde Jayne Tiare
    These are my top picks but since I live in the US I would be thrilled with any of the 14 perfumes offered.

  • Such an incredible draw! Again, I give great thanks to Cafleurebon, as well as the sponsors. This site has opened the doors to such a variety of fragrances for me, and I truly appreciate it. I am in the US.

    I did not know Tiare was a gardenia! I love it! I also learned about the many components that must be considered in order to recreate the gardenia scent. I loved Ineke Ruland’s point about the many “green” facets of gardenia, and I really enjoy her Hothouse Flower.

    If I am lucky enough to win, my choices are:

    1. 100 ml of Penhaligon’s Anthology Gardenia
    2. 75 ml of Hot House Flower,
    3. 50 ml of Ormonde Jayne Tiare
    4. 50 ml Jovoy Paris Gardez Moi
    5. 50 ml Montale IntenseTiare
    6. 15 ml Strange Invisible Perfumes Epic Gardenia
    7. Ambrosia Perfume by Nature 25ml of an actual Gardenia Enfleurage
    8. DSH PERFUMES Pink Gardenia

  • I love gardenia and loved the huge bush in my yard as a child. I didn’t know that the seeds could be used for their yellow dye. I am in the U.S. and would love to have any of the following: Hothouse Flower (one of my favorites), Gardez Moi, OJ Tiare, Epic Gardenia, Kewdra, or Cuir Gardenia. Thank you.

  • I didn’t realize gardenias also come in ivory and yellow. Their medicinal qualities also fascinate me. There are so many wonderful things in the draw. I would love to win either OJ Tiare, Hothouse Flowers or Kewdra. I am in the US..

  • I did not know gardenia was a symbol of secret love. I would love to win any of the fragrances, and I am in the US. Thank you!

  • I learned so much! I love that it represents hospitality as well as secret love. So interesting to read why Billie H started wearing the flower. Thank you for the article, the exquisite images and the wildly generous draw. I would love any of them but am particularly interested in SIP Epic Gardenia or Hot House Flower. Thank you!

  • I learned a lot from this post, but I was particularly interested in the varying descriptions by Octavian Coifan, Rodrigo Flores-Roux and Ineke Ruhland of the creation of gardenia scents.

    I’m in the US and I’m interested in Cuir Gardenia, Bouttoniere No. 7 and Epic Gardenia. Thanks!

  • The medicinal information is, as always, fascinating. Also, I didn’t realize that gardenia seeds could be used as a dye, and it never would have occurred to me that they looked saffron-like. Finally, I LOVE the art; the images for these are always stellar and evocative. What a great series!

    There are a number of these I’d LOVE to win:
    Aftelier Perfumes Cuir Gardenia
    Jovoy Paris Gardez Moi
    Anya’s Garden Kewdra
    Arquiste Perfumes Bouttoniere No. 7
    Ormonde Jayne Tiare
    DSH PERFUMES Pink Gardenia
    Montale Intense Tiare
    Strange Invisible Perfumes Epic Gardenia

    I’m in the US. Thank you for the wonderful draw!

  • bravo Elise!

    what a great article!

    i thoroughly enjoyed the idea of entire clandestine conversations based on the exchange of a gardenia.

    i’m all over the gardenia tea as soon as i find a gardenia.

    thank you for your in depth articles, they are a delight.

    and thank you for the draw:

    i live in the usa & my choices would be:

    Ambrosia Perfume by Nature 25ml Gardenia Enfleurage in Macademia Nut oil

    15 ml Strange Invisible Perfumes Epic Gardenia

    50 ml of Ormonde Jayne Tiare

    50 ml Jovoy Paris Gardez Moi

  • Carole Fallon says:

    My mother had a portrait taken in 1942 wearing a gardenia in her hair. I grew up in the south and gardenias are a yearly pleasure, I love the fragrance in my very core. I would love to win HotHouse Flower or Montale Intense Tiare! I’m in the US.

  • I often smell Tiare, I have one in my garden and it is a firm favorite of mine. I did not know that there were medicinal benefits that this beautiful flower carried. I really enjoyed reading about this, the magic and the history of Tiare,
    I am in the US

  • I forgot to say what I would like to win- Oh dear!

    15 ml Strange Invisible Perfumes Epic Gardenia
    Ambrosia Perfume by Nature 25ml Gardenia Enfleurage
    Penhaligon’s Anthology Gardenia
    Hot House Flower
    Ormonde Jayne Tiare
    Jovoy Paris Gardez Moi
    Montale IntenseTiare

  • What a great article. Gardenia has always been one of my favorite notes and reading about how it’s created in perfumery is very insightful. I was especially delighted to read about the different approaches the featured perfumers in this article take to recreate the scent of gardenia.

    I’m in Canada. I would love to win:
    Jovoy Gardez Moi
    Ormonde Jayne Tiare
    Penhaligon’s Gardenia
    Aftelier Cuir Gardenia
    Ambrosia Perfume Gardenia enfleurage
    DSH Pink Gardenia

    Thank you!

  • Wow I learned a lot here! Most interesting to me was that Tiare was actually gardenia, I’ve always been crazy about the fragrance of monoi oil which I think I inherited from my mum hence my choices if I was a lucky winner would be Ormonde Jayne Tiare and DSH Pink Gardenia. I’m in the uk and have fingers and toes crossed.

  • Elise hits it outta the park again! So full of wonderful trivia, but I love now knowing that Hong Kong means “fragrant harbor.” And I had no idea there were that many varieties of gardenia! I have yet to find a gardenia fragrance that really works for me, but I’m eager to keep trying. Thanks for the great draw. I live in the U.S., and my choices would be, in order:

    Ineke’s Hot House Flower
    Arquiste Boutonniere No. 7
    Ambrosia Perfume by Nature Gardenia Enfleurage
    Montale Intense Tiare
    Jovoy Gardez Moi
    Ormonde Jayne Tiare
    Strange Invisible Epic Gardenia
    DSH Pink Gardenia
    Sarah Horowitz Perfect Gardenia
    Penhaligon’s Anthology Gardenia

  • Thank you Elise for the in depth article on one of my favorite plants. Did you know that there are several varieties of “hardy” gardenia now available. These can be grown zone 7 and 8! I love using them in my garden designs and my clients are delighted to find such beautiful fragrance greeting them as they walk their gardens.
    Now, what did I learn? That I can create my own gardena accord using natural materials such as Galbanum, Tuberose, Jasmine and more and I surely will be trying to create one soon!
    BTW: I am wearing Aftelier Cuir Gardenia as I write this.
    Would love to try:
    Ambrosia Perfume by Nature
    Strange Invisible Perfumes Epic Gardenia
    Yellow Lupine Gardenia
    Pink Gardenia
    In the US / Thank you!

  • Marcopietro says:

    Great draw! This review is very interesting and full of information. I was very surprised that traditional Chinese medicine makes use of gardenia seeds for relaxing tea.
    I live in the EU, and my choices would be:
    Ormonde Jayne – Tiare
    Aftelier Perfumes – Cuir Gardenia
    Jovoy – Gardez Moi
    Ambrosia Perfume by Nature – Gardenia Enfleurage
    Thank you!

  • I had no idea that the gardenia is a member of the coffee family! Or that their seeds can be used in dyes. I’m in the US and would love to try the following:
    Gardez-Moi
    Cuir Gardenia
    Pink Gardenia
    Intense Tiare
    Kewdra

  • Very well researched and informative . It is good to learn that gardenias have such a rich history throughout the world. My grand mom wore jungle gardenia and I remember feeling a little sick when she would hug me as it was so overpowering! Japanese gardenia bonsais must be lovely.
    I learned that enfleurage is still being practiced and is an option for natural perfumers although very expensive
    The illustrations really were fabulous, especially that vintage photo of the two women pinning on a gardenia corsage.
    Please enter me for
    Intense Tiare
    Penhaligons gardenia
    Ormonde Jayne Tiare
    Intense Tiare
    Epic Gardenia
    Perfume by nature enfleurage
    USA and thank you to the generous sponsors and Ms Pearlstine for your fantastic writing.

  • The review is great. I learned a lot of things about gardenia. I was never smell that flower, but I heard that gardenia has fabulous scent. I did not know, that gardenia were used for weddings. And I did not know, that gardenia have been cultivated in China.
    I would like to win:
    1. Penhaligon’s Anthology Gardenia
    2. Ambrosia Perfume by Nature
    3. Jovoy Paris Gardez Moi
    4. Ormonde Jayne Tiare
    5. DSH PERFUMES Pink Gardenia
    6. Aftelier Perfumes Cuir Gardenia

  • This review is wonderful. I did not know, that gardenia had 142 species, and I did not know, that gardenia is a tropical flower. I very like white flowers.
    I would like to win:
    1. Ambrosia Perfume by Nature
    2. Penhaligon’s Anthology Gardenia
    3. Jovoy Paris Gardez Moi
    4. Ormonde Jayne Tiare
    5. DSH PERFUMES Pink Gardenia
    6. Aftelier Perfumes Cuir Gardenia
    I live in Europe.

  • Thank you so much for this article, it is one of the best synopses of gardenia history in perfumery I have ever read. I was particularly intrigued to learn that the gardenia was named after Dr. Alexander Garden in the US, as I had never thought about how a flower gets its non-botanical name. I am a big gardenia fan myself (well, big white flowers in general) and would love to try some of these–
    Montale Intense Tiare
    Jovoy Gardez=Moi
    Aftelier Cuir Gardenia
    I’m in the US. Thanks!

  • The article is fantastic. I did not know, that gardenia had 142 variety , and I did not know, that gardenia is originated in Asia. Gardenia is one of my favorite flower.
    I would like to win:
    1. Penhaligon’s Anthology Gardenia
    2. Ambrosia Perfume by Nature
    3. Ormonde Jayne Tiare
    4. Jovoy Paris Gardez Moi
    5. DSH PERFUMES Pink Gardenia
    6. Aftelier Perfumes Cuir Gardenia
    I live in Europe.

  • An interesting read! I liked very much the part where gardenia is seen as a signal for love and was also great to know that gardenia was a permanent accessory in a gentleman’s code of dressing.

    I would like to win: Cuir Gardenia, Ambrosia Perfume Gardez Moi and Tiare.

    I live in Europe. Thanks!

  • Jennifer Witt says:

    Great Article! Gardenia is one fragrance with which I thought I was familiar, but I was clearly mistaken! Ms. Pearlstine really opened up this wonderful flower. One bit of this article I found interesting was that Gardenia are the “Chanel no. 5” of the South. That made me smile. If I were to win, I’d choose: (I tried to order them by preference – soooo difficult!)
    Ormonde Jayne Tiare
    Jovoy Paris Gardez Moi
    Penhaligon’s Anthology Gardenia
    DSH PERFUMES Pink Gardenia
    Hot House Flower
    Aftelier Perfumes Cuir Gardenia
    Montale Intense Tiare
    Ambrosia Perfume
    Strange Invisible Perfumes Epic Gardenia
    Madame Pompadour
    Anya’s Garden Kewdra
    Arquiste Perfumes Bouttoniere No. 7
    I live in the United States, thanks for the fun draw!

  • I always enjoy the articles describing the different notes and this is a really good one as well, wow 5000 kilos of flowers to get 1 kg
    of the solvent extracted absolute, that is crazy!
    Enjoy the description from the perfumers and their view in creating a gardenia scent, I particularly love the Arquiste Boutoniere No7.
    Also like to read its uses besides perfumery like gardenia is considered a feminine essence, being used to attract good spirits and bring peace to rituals while increasing spirituality and assisting in healing. An important plant in traditional Chinese medicine, the bitter taste and cold nature of the fruit makes it good for moderating fevers, treating jaundice, and cooling the blood.
    I live in the US and would love to win:
    Ormonde Jayne Tiare
    Jovoy Paris Gardez Moi
    DSH PERFUMES Pink Gardenia
    Aftelier Perfumes Cuir Gardenia
    Strange Invisible Perfumes Epic Gardenia

  • I have to start thanking Elise for the article. I love reading all her posts. So much info, interesting facts, history, etc.

    In this particular case I found out there is a gardenia extrait. I have been told so many times there is not such and extrait… Also, Octavian’s formula is a great pc of info. I wish I had all the ingredients. I would love to try my hands on it. I am fascinated by anything gardenia and love growing it.

    I am in US and I would consider extremely lucky winning any of:

    Ormonde Jayne Tiare ( that I LOVE)
    Penhaligon’s Anthology Gardenia
    Montale Intense Tiare
    Aftelier Perfumes Cuir Gardenia
    Madame Pompadour

    Thank you.

  • Fabulous article and visuals! I’m such a fan of Billie Holiday’s voice. Now I understand the lore behind the flower in her hair. Thanks so much for querying the guest experts because I was so happy to find out a few of the natural notes used to create a gardenia scent: Ineke mentions using galbanum with tuberose and a touch of jasmine. I live in Canada. My choices would be: Penhaligon’s Anthology Gardenia, Tiare by Ormonde Jayne, Gardez Moi by Javoy Paris, Cuir Gardenia by Aftelier Perfumes, Pink Gardenia by DSH Perfumes. Thanks so very much.

  • I grew up in the south and my Mother had a loved but finicky gardenia bush. It seemed to require much care and but she would never let my Dad replace it. One of my first loved scent memories! Ours was not at the front door, however. The light was wrong! I love the smell of gardenia and would love to try:
    Jovoy Gardez Moi
    Ormonde Jayne Tiare
    Penhaligon’s Anthology Gardenia
    Ineke Hot House Flower
    Arquiste Perfumes Bouttoniere No. 7
    DSH Pink Gardenia
    Bassett Madame Pompadour
    OK, the list is getting long, any of the listed perfumes would be lovely!
    Thanks to the perfumers for their kind contributions.

  • Gardenia is very hard to pin down and I appreciate the input from other perfumers. The flower itself is quite interesting and I love the contrast of white blooms with green leaves. Since my gardenias are blooming right now, it was fun to put one on my desk while I wrote. Thanks for reading everyone!

  • julesinrose says:

    Great article. Thanks! I am so not a white flower fan that I have no idea what a gardenia smells like. Now I’m intrigued. Ineke Ruland’s description of the mushroom-y enfleurage and was fascinating. Both his and Rodrigo Flores-Roux’s description of creating the Gardenia’s true smell, the milkiness, greenness, and mushroom qualities, give us insight into the complexity of this flower. I’d like Penhaligon’s Anthology Gardenia, Jovoy Paris Gardez Moi, Ormonde Jayne Tiare, Ineke Hothouse Flower (which sounds amazing with the Earl Grey note) and SIP’s Epic Gardenia. In the US. Thanks for the great article and draw!

  • What a great article! While recently in NY I purchased some monoi tiare oil and it is intoxicating. I would love to try any of the ones listed above. I’ve been lemming after Cuir de Gardenia (Aftel) but all of them sound beautiful. I’m in Canada.

  • Mariotgomez says:

    What an amazing article, make me want to explore more gardenia fragrances and oils.

    I especially love the formulas on how to create your own gardenia accord.

    I live in the USA and if lucky enough to win here are my choices:
    1. Aftelier Perfumes Cuir Gardenia,
    2. JoAnne Bassett Madame Pompadour from the Royal Collection
    3. Jovoy Paris Gardez Moi
    4. Strange Invisible Perfumes Epic Gardenia
    5. Arquiste Perfumes Bouttoniere No. 7,
    6. DSH PERFUMES Pink Gardenia
    7. Montale IntenseTiare
    8. Ormonde Jayne Tiare

    I would love to see more articles like this one.

  • Thank you for the wonderful gardenia round-up, Elise! I especially loved Rodrigo Flores-Roux’s quote on recreating the fragrance for Boutonniere No. 7.

    Some of my favorite scent associations are with this flower: catching my aunt’s wedding bouquet as a six-year old; sneaking into tea at the Grand Hotel in Fairhope, AL, which was landscaped with these flowers.

    I would be delighted to win the following: Aftelier Perfumes Cuir Gardenia, Strange Invisible Perfumes Epic Gardenia, Ormonde Jayne Tiare, Ineke Hothouse Flower, and Arquiste Perfumes Bouttoniere No. 7. Thank you!

    I live in the US.

  • I am usually not a fan of BIG gardenia fragrances, but you made tiare and gardenia sound enticing. “The act of making gardenia tea and steeping with oolong, perhaps, is itself calming and the gardenia aroma is unique and lingering.” I do like to float gardenias in a bowl as they scent an entire room.
    My choices are
    Ormonde jayne tiare, montale intense tiare, penhaligon’s gardenia, strang invisible perfumes epic gardenia
    Lovely article.

  • There articles are a thesaurus of knowledge, thank you for sharing! The medicinal properties of the flower fascinated me!
    if I was lucky to win I would like
    1. 100 ml of Penhaligon’s Anthology Gardenia
    2. 75 ml of Hot House Flower,
    3. 50 ml of Ormonde Jayne Tiare
    4. 50 ml Jovoy Paris Gardez Moi
    5. 50 ml Montale IntenseTiare
    6. 15 ml Strange Invisible Perfumes Epic Gardenia
    7. Ambrosia Perfume by Nature 25ml of an actual Gardenia Enfleurage
    8. DSH PERFUMES Pink Gardenia

  • I did not know about the medicinal uses of gardenia fruit and seeds before I read this article. I also found the preferences of different perfumers for enflourage, absolute, or synthetic compounds interesting. Good cases were made for all methods depending on the aspects of the flower that the artist favored.
    I am in the US and would love to try any of the following:

    Ormonde Jayne Tiare
    Jovoy Paris Gardez Moi
    DSH PERFUMES Pink Gardenia
    Hot House Flower
    Aftelier Perfumes Cuir Gardenia
    Montale Intense Tiare
    Yellow Lupine Gardenia
    Anya’s Garden Kewdra
    Arquiste Perfumes Bouttoniere No. 7

    Thanks for the draw!

  • Love everything about this article! I love Gardenias and I’m a total fan of perfume/flower facts, I actually had no idea that they were/are used in Chinese Medicine!

    I’m in Canada, I would really appreciate two of the set: Aftelier Perfumes Cuir Gardenia and DSH Perfumes Pink Gardenia

    Thank you!

  • Interesting article!I did not know, that gardenia can be a signal of secret love. I’ll keep in mind for perfume gifts for my secret love 🙂
    I would love to try Jovoy Paris Gardez Moi (!) or Ambrosia Perfume by Nature Gardenia Enfleurage
    I’m an international reader. Thanks for the draw!

  • Thank you Elise for another stellar article! Such an important floral and so voluptuous. It was great to read Octavian Sever-Coifan’s contribution. Hope there will be more!
    I would LOVE to try
    1. Libby’s Yellow Lupine Gardenia
    2. Dawn’s Pink Gardenia
    3. Mandy’s Cuir Gardenia
    Thank you CFB!!

  • I was googling gardenia perfume for my mom and this great post came up!
    I didn’t know what a Tiare flower or what monoi was
    Please enter me
    Penhaligon gardenia
    Epic gardenia
    Intense Tiare
    Aftelier Cuir gardenia
    Ormonde Jayne Tiare
    Jovoy gardez moi

  • This might be the best reading about this glorious flower, hands down! Thank you Elise for your detailed descriptions and for all the research you’ve done.

    I mostly enjoyed the part about how to obtain gardenia scent (I knew it is very hard to do but I couldn’t imagine it took so many ingredients to get close to it!). What Ineke Ruhland says, “The key to the gardenia accord is to use creamy, lactonic notes in addition to the floral notes”, makes me finally understand why I love gardenia scents so much, as I adore creamy, milky, scents too.
    And I loved reading about medicinal use of gardenia (which I didn’t know of), I am no surprised it has calming qualities: I don’t often see gardenia plants where I live, let alone wild ones, but each time I pass near them their fragrance greets me and I indeed feel like I am surrounded by peace and beauty. I have myself a little gardenia plant, each year in June I await for it to blossoms and it’s pure joy to see even just one little immaculate flower coming out from the greenery, it feels like a miracle.
    And tiare… it is so wonderfully fragrant I would get a ticket to Polynesia only to smell the real thing, each time I see it listed in a scent’s composition I know it will be nothing less than scrumptious.

    These would me picks if I win (EU here):

    Jovoy Paris Gardez Moi
    DSH PERFUMES Pink Gardenia
    Ormonde Jayne Tiare
    Penhaligon’s Anthology Gardenia

    Thank you Cafleurebon for the loveliest draw!

  • First of all thank you Elise for gathering all the information and of course the perfumehouses and ÇaFleurebon for the draw!

    I always love reading about ingredients in perfumes. As for what I have learned about the gardenia is quite a lot. For instance I didn’t know that gardenia is related to coffee and that there are various colours gardenia. Also wasn’t aware that men wore gardenia as a boutenniere. Anyway I adore gardenia as well as tiare in fragrances. I love the green an milky aspects of this species of flowers.

    I live in the Netherlands (EU) and I would love to win Jovoy Paris Gardez Moi, Aftelier Perfumes Cuir Gardenia, DSH Perfumes Pink Gardenia, Ormonde Jayne Tiare, Penhaligon’s Anthology Gardenia and Ambrosia Perfume by Nature Gardenia Enfleurage.

  • As always Elise, I enjoy your writing, but this article is amazing!
    I really did not know much about gardenia at all, so this was so
    informative and interesting. I was surprised about the tea reference the most. I would be happy to get any of these amazing offerings if I should win. I live in the US. Thanks!

  • I just love that photo of Rodrigo Flores Roux wearing a gardenia bouttoneire he is a modern day dandy great article
    Sign me up for gardez moi, bouttoneire 7, intense Tiare, Tiare by ormonde Jayne , and epic gardenia

  • It seemed I could smell gardenia after reading this. It brings to mind the tune “Dos Gardenias.” I live in the US and already really like Hot House Flower, and didn”t know about the diiiculties of the enfleurage. I’d also like to try Kewdra, Pink gardenia and Ormonde Jayne Tiare. Thanks for the draw!

  • Amazing article, I can see why Billie Holiday always wore a Gardenia in her hair, not only is a a beautiful flower it also smells lovely. I did not know that the Tiara is actually a Gardenia. Would love to be entered in the draw. My choices would be 50 ml Jovoy Paris Gardez Moi , Ambrosia Perfume by Nature and DSH PERFUMES Pink Gardenia. Thank you so much.

  • What an extremely interesting and well-written article! I really didn’t know much about gardenia at all until reading this. My favorite fun fact learned today was that gardenias represent joy, purity, and secret love … how romantic!

    This is also a great draw and I would feel very lucky to win:
    OJ Tiare
    Jovoy Paris Gardez Moi
    Penhaligon Anthology Gardenia
    Montale Intense tiare
    Strange Invisible Perfumes Epic Gardenia

    Thank you again for a great article and a wonderful draw … I’m in the US

  • I have been enjoying the modern version of Chanel Gardenia, so I was enchanted to learn the history of the perfume’s earlier incarnation. On a walk through a Japanese garden near my home today, I had to stop and smell something lovely on the breeze. I looked around and noticed a low hedge of gardenias. I hadn’t smelled fresh gardenia flowers in a long time. It was good to be reminded by this article that gardenias are more than just a sweet flower. The green and balsam notes are fabulous, too. Now I’m even more in awe of the fragrances that capture gardenia and tiare so beautifully.

    Thank you for the delightful draw. I would love to experience any one of these:

    Jovoy Paris Gardez Moi
    DSH Perfume Pink Gardenia
    Penhaligon’s Anthology Gardenia
    Montale Intense Tiare
    JoAnn Bassett Madame Pompadour

    I am in the US.

  • I enjoyed this article very much and learned quite a number of things about gardenias; the reason Billie Holiday first used the flower in her hair; the amount of flowers needed to produce 1 kilo of solvent extracted absolute; how the flower got its name and that gardenia is related the coffee. I would love any of the following perfumes:
    1- Cuir Gardenia
    2- Ambrosia Perfume
    3- Kewdra
    4- Madame Pompadour

    I’m in the US.

  • I’ve always loved gardenias and wore Jungle Gardenia as a teenager. I now know how gardenia fragrances are composed. i also learned its’ uses in Chinese medicine, as a tea and even a yellow dye!
    I’d love to win Gardez-Moi, Kewdra, DSH Pink Gardenia, Epic Gardenia, or Ambrosia. I’m in the U.S.
    Thank you for this draw!

  • I’ve always loved gardenias and wore Jungle Gardenia as a teenager. I learned a lot of info from this great article. I’m fascinated by the gardenia’s uses in Chinese medicine and that it can even produce a yellow dye!
    I’d really love to win Gardez-Moi, Epic Gardenia, DSH Pink Gardenia or Kewdra. I’m in the States. Thank you for this fantastic draw!

  • Interesting read and lovely photos! I loved the two paintings by Paul Gaugain. They are really special and the use of gardenia in them is like a final touch, sunlight on canvans. I also liked the part about gardenia being used by gentlemen of the old time!

    I live in Europe and my choices are: Ambrosia Perfume, Pink Gardenia, Tiare and Gardez Moi.

    Thanks!

  • I liked the story about Billie Holiday and the gardenia in the hair. I also found it interesting that gardenias are f the coffee family.
    I’d like to win
    Ormonde Jayne Tiare, Jovoy Paris Gardez Moi, Ambrosia Perfume, Penhaligon’s Anthology Gardenia, DSH Pink Gardenia
    I’m in the EU,
    ty

  • Thank you for the draw! I have truly come to love the scent of gardenia and enjoyed reading this. There are many different species of gardenia, I learned, and I’m happy to find out that gardenia brings good spirits and peace in the magical realm. I would love to win Jovoy Gardez Moi, Montale Intense Tiare, Aftelier Cuir Gardenia, or Strange Invisible Perfumes Epic Gardenia. I’m in the U.S.

  • Growing up in the south I lol when I read that gardenia is the chanel no 5 of the south.It is! We had them everywhere.
    I learned that Coco Chanel gardenia came from her favorite camelias not having a scent
    I thank everyone for quotes, writing, researching and the beautiful art.
    Gardez moi, intense Tiare, ormonde Jayne Tiare, Aftelier Cuir Gardenia, penhaligon gardenia by Bertrand Duchaufour, epic gardenia
    Love seeing Octavian in print miss his blog

  • That’s a fascinating read. I didn’t know that gardenias are used in chinese medicine!
    I have a gardenia plant at home, it’s a quite sensitive plant, but she’s always coming back with new flowers.

    I’d loe to win : Jovoy Gardez Moi or Pink Gardenia by DSH

    Thanks!

  • The name for Hong Kong , fragrant harbor is just beautiful
    The thought of a profusion of gardenias growing on the shore is a lovely image
    So much to learn; shanghai courtesans dying their undergarments with gardenia seeds was fascinating and the Tiare flowers with their star shape was new to me too
    Excellent review and article
    I live in USA
    Epic gardenia
    Gardez moi
    Hothouse flower from Ineke
    Ormonde Jayne Tiare
    Montale Intense Tiare
    Penhaligon gardenia
    Perfume by nature gardenia enfleurage
    Thank you to everyone for a great article and drawing

  • Gardenias as a secret conversation is interesting as well as that is from the coffee family
    Thank you USA reader
    Penhaligon gardenia
    Intense Tiare
    Ormonde Jayne Tiare
    Gardez moi by Jovoy
    Epic gardenia by strange invisible perfumes
    Aftelier Cuir gardenia
    Anya garden kewdra
    Jo Anne Bassett Madame pompadour

  • Joe Tetelman says:

    Great read!
    Thank you USA reader
    Penhaligon gardenia
    Intense Tiare
    Ormonde Jayne Tiare
    Gardez moi by Jovoy
    Epic gardenia by strange invisible perfumes
    Aftelier Cuir gardenia
    Anya garden kewdra
    Jo Anne Bassett Madame pompadour

  • I enjoyed learning about the dandies and the courtesans. Also about CHANEl and Ernest Beaux. The quotes from Flores Roux, Octavian and Ineke were illuminating
    please sign me up for Penhaligons gardenia
    intense tiare
    epic gardenia
    aftelier cuir gardenia
    jovoy garzez moi
    ormonde Jayne tiare

  • I always love to hear about the ethnobotany around our flowers known for scent, looks…really jazzed for some reason to hear of it’s use by courtesans in Shanghai to dye their undies…now where can I get some Gardenia seeds…. I already have a full bottle of, and adore, Hot House Flower, but would love to try any of the others!
    Aftelier Perfumes Cuir Gardenia,
    Anya’s Garden Kewdra
    JoAnne Bassett Madame Pompadour from the Royal Collection
    Ambrosia Perfume by Nature
    Ormonde Jayne Tiare

  • I didn’t know about all these medicinal/therapeutic properties of gardenia! I am in the US and, if my name is drawn, I’d be happy with Gardez Moi, Cuir Gardenia, Pink Gardenia, Hothouse Flower, Intense Tiare, Yellow Lupine Gardenia, or Ormonde Jayne Tiare Perfume.

  • I would live to try the Strange Invisible Perfumes Gardenia, myself. AndI like the magical properties- I could use a good spirit this week 🙂

  • Oh, to go back to the days where people wore gardenias anywhere on their person! That tidbit about the possible origin of the name Hong Kong was also new to me, but what a delightful image. I’m in the US. Anya’s Garden Kewdra, Jovoy Gardez-Moi, Ormand Jayne Tiare, or INeKE Hothouse Flower for me!

  • Gina Thompson says:

    I was surprised to learn Billie Holliday started wearing gardenias because of burned hair. I would love to try Garden Kewdra, IntenseTiare, Gardez Moi, OJ Tiare, Pink Gardenia, Cuir Gardenia, Hothouse Flower, Epic Gardenia. I live in the US. Thank you for a wonderful opportunity!

  • I had no idea Chanel Gardenia went back that far, and didn’t know about Billy Holiday’s signature look either.
    I am in the USA.

    I would love to try DSH Pink Gardenia, Hot House Flowers by Ineke Ruhland, or Yello Lupine Gardenia by Libby Patterson.

    Thanks for the great read!

  • Maria Carola says:

    I love gardenia!

    I would like to win DHS Pink Gardenia or Aftelier Cuir Gardenia..or Ambrosia

    Thanks for opportunity !

    Maria

  • Meganinstmaxme says:

    Lots of learnings from this article. The coffee link was interesting and I love the fact that Billy Holiday wore gardenia.
    I’m in the EU so would love the Gardez Moi, Ormonde Jayne’s Tiare, or Cuir Gardenia. Thanks for the draw.

  • Gardenias are one of my favorite flowers, while rather hard to grow in my state a few varieties do surprisingly well. The beauty and smell are amazing. This article was wonderful. About 90% of the info I never knew. The Billie Holiday info, the medicinal purposes to the overall extraction was so cool to learn about. Thank you again for an excellent article. I believe I would choose:
    Arquiste Perfumes Bouttoniere No. 7
    Anya’s Garden Kewdra
    Jovoy Paris Gardez Moi
    Aftelier Perfumes Cuir Gardenia
    Strange Invisible Perfumes Epic Gardenia

  • What a great article! Gardenia is one of my absolute favorite flowers and I didn’t know that tiare was actually a gardenia flower! Or that it was used in Chinese medicine. I would love to win any of these (I am in the USA):
    DSH Perfumes Pink Gardenia
    Penhaligon’s Anthology Gardenia
    Ineke Hot House Flower
    Arquiste Perfumes Bouttoniere No. 7
    All Natural LPO Organics Yellow Lupine Gardenia
    Sarah Horowitz Parfums Perfect Gardenia Oil
    Ambrosia Perfume Gardenia Enfleurage
    JoAnne Bassett Madame Pompadour
    Thanks for this amazing giveaway chance!

  • Even though I love both, I never knew tiare was a kind of gardenia. I’m in the US and would be happy to win any of the fragrances, but especially Gardez Moi, Ormond Jayne Tiara, Penhaligon’s Anthology Gardenia, Hot House Flower, Montale Intense Tiare, Perfect Gardenia, Ambrosia Perfume by Nature Gardenia Enfleurage, or Epic Gardenia. Thanks!

  • It’s interesting that jasmine was used as a base for many gardenia fragrances — since I live somewhere where both gardenias and jasmine bloom in abundance, I’ve always thought it odd that so many seem to confuse the scent. They are quite distinct, but this explains the confusion. For people who’ve never had the experience of smelling a live bloom on the plant, it’s next to impossible to explain it, and apparently, capturing its real scent has been a challenge, too!

    Happily, gardenia is also one of my husband’s favorite scents — so any of these would be amazing, I think, and much appreciated!

    US resident. Many thanks!

  • I was fascinated to find out that gardenias are related to coffee. I’d love to win Penhaligon Anthology Gardenia, Strange Invisible Epic Gardenia, Aftelier Cuir Gardenia, Ineke Hothouse Flower, or Montale Intense Tiere (I live in the US). Thanks for the great draw!

  • Lady sings the blues was the first time I heard of Billie Holiday and now I am a huge fan of her and yes gardenias. I became obsessed with the odor, it truly is the floral of florals.
    My choices are Montale intense Tiare, Aftelier Cuir gardenia, epic gardenia, gardez moi from Jovoy(nice review) and penhaligon anthology gardenia
    A great read and I want some gardenia oolang tea
    USA reader

  • Fazal Cheema says:

    there is such a wealth of information here including the fact that Billie Holiday regularly wore it. The flower has green and floral aspects and bear resemblance to frangipani among other flowers including Jasmine..i think i did know Chanel created Gardenia but didnt’t know about Guerlain doing same. and of course, Truvache did a great job of popularizing the note..for this wonderful draw, my choices in respective order will be

    1. Ormonde Jayne Tiare
    2. Jovoy Gardes Moi
    3. Montale Intense Tiare
    4. Strange Invisible Perfumes Epic Gardenia

    I am in the US

  • Interesting read, I appreciate Elise’s articles. I love gardenia – I condition my hair with monoi oil and it works a treat. I hadn’t known it’s used in Chinese Traditional Medicine, but I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised.

    Thanks for the draw. I’m in the UK, and would love to win any of the following:
    Mandy Aftel’s Cuir Gardenia
    Ambrosia Perfume’s Gardenia enfleurage
    DSH’s Pink Gardenia

  • Great article! I did not know about Billie Holiday wearing the flower to cover up a spot, and honestly never noticed but she did always seem to wear them, didn’t she? I am in the US, and would like to try HotHouse flower, or Strange Invisible Perfumes Epic Gardenia. DSH’s Pink Gardenia would be nice too! Thank you for the draw.

  • Thank you for the article and draw!
    I love learning about the origin of different scents, and gardenia is no exception. Love the descriptions of all the components in the scent–green, mushroomy, indolic, smoky, coconutty, lactonic.
    My favorite bit though was about growing them–they are hard if you don’t have proper soil because they need acid. I just killed one (actually several small ones in one pot) but now I have hope…and they can be bonsais too–that’s so cool!

    I live in the USA
    I would love to try any of these, especially:
    Garden Kewdra
    Epic Gardenia
    Cuir Gardenia
    OJ Tiare
    Yellow Lupine Gardenia
    Ambrosia Perfume by Nature 25ml of an actual Gardenia Enfleurage

    Arquiste Perfumes Bouttoniere No. 7
    Pink Gardenia
    Perfect Gardenia Oil
    IntenseTiare
    Gardez Moi
    Hothouse Flower
    Penhaligon gardenia

  • A fantastic article, I enjoyed reading about how gardenia crossed cultures from China to the Southern US, and it’s significance during different periods of time. I am in the US.

    Gardez Moi
    Penhaligons Anthology Gardenia
    Intense Tiare
    Epic Gardenia
    Ambrosia
    Hot House Flower Ineke
    OJ Tiare

  • Such an amazing draw! What I found interesting is gardenia being a member of the coffee family. And what surprised me is that gardenia is an important plant in Chinese medicine.

    I would be honoured to win Jovoy Paris Gardez Moi, Aftelier Perfumes Cuir Gardenia, DSH Perfumes Pink Gardenia, Ormonde Jayne Tiare, Penhaligon’s Anthology Gardenia and Ambrosia Perfume by Nature Gardenia Enfleurage. I live in Europe.

  • I love gardenias and tried a few times to grow them, without success. Seems it requires a bit of patience and understanding, l am lacking both of them I guess.
    I am in the EU and would love to win Aftelier Perfumes Cuir Gardenia, DSH Perfumes Pink Gardenia, Ormonde Jayne Tiare or Penhaligon’s Anthology Gardenia.

  • What I learned about Gardenia the flower of the flowers with the most sensual smell in the world (according to my humble opinion) are the following :
    Gardenias were introduced to the US in Charleston, South Carolina in 1762 by Dr. Alexander Garden who planted & gave them his name
    Gardenia is related to coffee
    Tiare flower is also a kind of gardenia flower
    Gardenia was used in Chinese medicine for fevers, treating jaundice, cooling the blood and for menopausal women to fight symptoms of depression, headaches and diziness
    Last but not least I learned that Chanel and Guerlain have tried to capture the smell of this beautiful flower by creating related perfumes.
    If I win I would love to experience the following creations:
    50 ml Jovoy Paris Gardez Moi
    100 ml of Penhaligon’s Anthology Gardenia
    50 ml of Ormonde Jayne Tiare Perfume
    DSH PERFUMES Pink Gardenia
    25ml by Ambrosia Jones, Ambrosia Perfume by Nature
    2ml of Aftelier Perfumes Cuir Gardenia
    I livei in EU and I thank you both for this lovely and so informative review about Gardenia flower and draw as well.

  • I love gardenias so much that my wedding centerpieces were gardenias in bowls. Just beautiful. I never knew they were in the coffeee family or used in magick.
    I own Chanel Gardenia perfume and liked learning why it was made by Ernest beaux in 1925.
    My choices are
    50 ml Intense Tiare by Montale
    50 ml Jovoy Paris Gardez Moi
    100 ml of Penhaligon’s Anthology Gardenia
    50 ml of Ormonde Jayne Tiare Perfume
    DSH PERFUMES Pink Gardenia
    25ml by Ambrosia Jones, Ambrosia Perfume by Nature
    2ml of Aftelier Perfumes Cuir Gardenia

  • I had no idea that tiare flower is a gardenia! An excellent article and a fabulous draw.

    I’d be one very happy winner of Gardez Moi, Tiare or Gardenia Oil Enfleurage. In the EU.

  • So much for wondering why gardenia essences were so rare, 5000 kilograms for a single kilogram of absolute? Wow.

    Thanks so much for the draw. I’d be ecstatic to try any of these:

    Jovoy Paris Gardez Moi
    Aftelier Perfumes Cuir Gardenia
    DSH Perfumes Pink Gardenia
    Penhaligon Anthology Gardenia

  • rivercitylizzy says:

    I was captivated by the origin of Billie Holliday’s habit of wearing gardenia in her hair–from disaster to celebrated signature look in one night? Fabulous.

    I’m also delighted to know that contemporary perfume artisans are resurrecting traditional preparations such as enfleurage. Seems like such a personal connection, to wear a fragrance that includes such labor in its composition!

    Mahalo for this draw. I would adore Cuir Gardenia, Hothouse Flower, the Gardenia Enfleurage, Pink Gardenia, Tiare, or Epic Gardenia. I am in the US.

  • Every time I smell gardenia scent I always find it extremely fragile and feminine yet strong aroma and gentle silage. Gardenia is truly a very feminine note in perfumery. I agree with Perfumer Ineke Ruland that gardenia has a lactonic creamy greenery aroma that is indeed different from a jasmine, tuberose and galbanum blend. All 142 species of gardenia together in one perfume would be an ultimate feminine fragrance. I would love to win
    Ormonde Jayne tiare perfume
    Jovoy Paris Gardez Moi
    Hot house flower,
    Montale intense tiare
    Strange invisible perfumes epic gardenia
    Thanks USA

  • Great article!Most interesting to me was that gardenia is a tropical flower.

    I live in the USA and I would like to win:
    Ormonde Jayne Tiare
    Jovoy Paris Gardez Moi
    Montale Intense Tiare
    Arquiste Perfumes Bouttoniere No. 7
    Strange Invisible Perfumes Epic Gardenia

    Thank you for the draw!

  • Flores-roux’s description of Gardenia describes exactly what I’ve been trying to think of to say about Gardenia! I didn’t know that tory about Billie Holliday, and I didn’t know it was part of the coffee family!
    I also didn’t know they could be used medicinally or that the seeds could be used as dye!
    I live in the USA an I would love to win:
    – 50 ml of Ormonde Jayne Tiare Perfume,
    – 50 ml Montale IntenseTiare
    -DSH PERFUMES Pink Gardenia,
    -50 ml Jovoy Paris Gardez Moi
    -7 ml of Arquiste Perfumes Bouttoniere No. 7
    -ALL NATURAL: 15 ml Strange Invisible Perfumes Epic Gardenia,

  • I was surprise to hear that it was related to coffee. Thanks for the draw. I would be interested in:
    50 ml Montale IntenseTiare
    Ambrosia Perfume by Nature 25ml of an actual Gardenia Enfleurage

  • That was quite an impressing article! Thank you, Ms. Pearlstine! Gardenia is the quiet favorite of mine. I don’t have many gardenia-centered perfumes, I wear them rarely, but they always seem right and tender!
    I was excited to learn about the reason behind the gardenia in Billie Holiday’s hair, and about the coloring properties of gardenia seeds. I have grown gardenias for quite some time, but they never gave seeds.
    My wish list:
    Ormonde Jayne Tiare Perfume
    Jovoy Paris Gardez Moi
    DSH PERFUMES Pink Gardenia
    Penhaligon’s Anthology Gardenia
    Ambrosia Perfume by Nature
    Aftelier Perfumes Cuir Gardenia
    I live in the EU.
    Thank you for the opportunity!

  • Cynthia Richardson says:

    I especially enjoyed learning about the gardenias place in the language of flowers and the meaning behind the giving of a gardenia blossom. I live in the US and would love to win
    Jovoy Paris Gardez Moi
    Aftelier Perfumes Cuir Gardenia
    DSH PERFUMES Pink Gardenia
    Hot House Flower, Composed by Ineke Ruhland
    Arquiste Perfumes Bouttoniere No. 7
    Ormonde Jayne Tiare Perfume
    Anya’s Garden Kewdra

  • An interesting article that I enjoyed reading. I’ve read and the perfumers I’ve talked to have similarly said that certain notes can be recreated by combining other notes together to form a completely different scent. In many cases the collective combination allows for creation of a note that can not be used in perfumery anymore but if they are combined will allow for it. As I was reading the article, I understood the struggle that perfumers face when trying to create a perfume around a note such as Gardenia. Personally, I have only begun experimenting with various floral notes such tuberose, jasmine, and hopefully after reading this will try out more gardenia dominated scents.

    Interested in Gardez Moi, Ormonde Jayne Tiare, Anthology Gardenia, Hot House Flower, IntenseTiare, and Gardenia Enfleurage in Macademia Nut oil

    USA

  • hotlanta linda says:

    I learned that coffee is related to the gardenia! This article make you need! gardenia NOW – well written! 🙂 Interested in: SIP`s Epic Gardenia, Sarah Horowitz Perfect Gardenia oil, Ineke`s Hot House Flower, Penhaligon`s Anthology Gardenia, Ormonde Jayne Tiare, Gardez Moi from Jovoy, Paris, Arquiste`s Bouttonaire #7 …..we are rockin` in the USA 🙂

  • Hi – hopefully due to time differences I’ve snuck in to this draw!

    What a fabulous article. I learnt so much but I think I was overwhelmed by the amount of flowers needed for a solvent extracted absolute – 5,000 kilos! Wow…

    I’m in Australia, so my interests are in the worldwide perfume prizes:

    The Ambrosia Perfume by Nature 25ml of an actual Gardenia Enfleurage (again – wow – wonderful that this has been made available)

    50 ml Jovoy Paris Gardez Moi
    2ml of Aftelier Perfumes Cuir Gardenia,
    DSH PERFUMES Pink Gardenia,

    Fab draw. Thanks to everyone involved.

    Tina G xx

  • Gardenia is the ultimate pleasure! No other flower compares. I grew up lusting for my mother’s Jungle Gardenia pure perfume that she only used for special occasions. I just found some recently and sent it to her to enjoy. I’d love to have any of the natural perfumes but especially:
    DSH Pink Gardenia,
    Aftelier Cuir Gardenia,
    Ambrosia Gardenia,
    Anya’s Kewdra