Spring Scents: Daffodils And Fragrance Pairing Guide

Daffodils, also known as narcissus, are flowers that originated in Southern Europe and North Africa. They are linked to the Greek myth of Narcissus, who drowned while gazing at his own reflection in a pool of water. The flower sprang from where he died. The fragrance of daffodils ranges from delicate to sweet, spicy, and musky, depending on the variety. While many hybrid bulbs found in garden centres do not produce a scent, there are around 26 wild daffodil varieties that are known for their fragrance. This includes the Narcissus 'Hawera', a compact daffodil with a mild fragrance, and the award-winning Narcissus 'Yellow Cheerfulness', which has a warm, sweet fragrance.

Characteristics and Values

Daffodils have a fragrance, but not all varieties

Daffodils, or narcissus, have a fragrance, but not all varieties are scented. While many daffodil bulbs are fragrant, most do not have a perfume powerful enough to enjoy unless you stick your nose directly into the bulb.

The oldest of the pink trumpet daffodils, Narcissus 'Mrs. R.O. Backhouse', is said to have a light but lovely fragrance, quite unlike yellow daffodils. The award-winning Narcissus 'Yellow Cheerfulness' is also very fragrant, with multiple soft golden-yellow petals and a warm orange-yellow centre. The flowers cluster together at the top of the stems and appear in mid or late spring. The pheasant eye narcissi, with their tiny cups, are also renowned for their fragrance.

The highly regarded and dependable variety, Narcissus 'Hawera', is a compact daffodil with 6-8 delicate, nodding flowers per stem. The pale yellow blooms have a mild fragrance and charming star-shaped petals. Another award-winning variety is Narcissus 'Pipit', a sweetly fragrant Jonquil daffodil bearing up to 2-3 flowers per stem and multiple stems per bulb. Blooming in mid-spring for up to 5 weeks, this is a wonderful all-around daffodil.

Narcissus 'White Lion' is one of a host of large, double-flowered narcissi, and these double forms are usually very fragrant. 'White Lion' has been described as having "gardenia-like" blooms because of its flower form and layers of lemon and cream petals, and of course, its delicious scent. The yellow and orange Narcissus 'Grand Soleil d'Or' is similar but more vibrant in colour.

In perfumery, there are two types of narcissus used: Narcissus poeticus is used for narcissus absolute, and Narcissus jonquilla is distilled into jonquille absolute. Two materials have different odours, but in a perfume composition, they lend a similar lush floral and green leather effect.

Wild daffodils are fragrant and smell like dark green leaves, hyacinth, jasmine, spice, musk or vanilla

Daffodils, or Narcissus, are flowers that originated from Southern Europe and North Africa, with some varieties found in Asia and China. They are a bulb that is part of the amaryllis family, Amaryllidaceae, and are typically yellow or white, trumpet or star-shaped flowers that grow on long stalks with green leaves.

While most hybrid and over-bred bulbs found in garden centres will not have a fragrance, there are around 26 wild daffodil varieties that are marvelously fragrant. These wild daffodils have a scent reminiscent of dark green leaves, with traces of hyacinth and jasmine. Some varieties are described as ''spicy', while others have 'musky' or 'vanillic' undertones.

Narcissus oil, derived from daffodils, has been used for various purposes over the centuries. In ancient Rome and the Middle East, it was used in perfumery and to prevent ailments such as hysteria and baldness. Today, the oil is still valued for its fragrance and is used in modern perfumery, candles, and diffusers to evoke the scent of spring.

The Jonquilla, Apodanthus, and Tazetta varieties of daffodils are specifically mentioned as being fragrant, with up to five or even 20 small flowers per stem, respectively. So, if you're looking to experience the scent of fragrant wild daffodils, seek out these varieties or head to areas where they naturally grow, such as Great Windsor Park in the UK during spring.

Daffodils have been used in perfumes for thousands of years

Daffodils, also known as narcissus, have been used in perfumes for thousands of years. The flower is linked to the Greek myth of Narcissus, a handsome youth who drowned while gazing at his own reflection in a pool of water. The plant is said to have sprung from where he died. The name "narcissus" likely originates from the Greek word "narke," which became "narce" in Roman, meaning "numb" and referring to the flower's narcotic effect.

Narcissus oil has been used for various purposes in ancient Rome, the Middle East, Arabia, India, and China. The Romans created a fragrance called Narcissinum using narcissus unguent. In India, the oil is used in ritual cleaning before prayer, along with fragrant oils of sandalwood, jasmine, and rose. In China, narcissus is associated with good fortune and gain. The French used it in early cosmetics and medicine. The oil was historically extracted through a technique called "enfleurage," where individual petals are placed on a plate of lard to absorb the oil.

While daffodils have a long history in perfumery, many modern hybrid and over-bred bulbs have lost their scent. However, there are still fragrant wild daffodil varieties, and some cultivated hybrids, that offer a range of scents. The typical olfactory profile of narcissus is strong and rich, reminiscent of dark green leaves with traces of hyacinth and jasmine. Some varieties may have spicy, musky, or vanillic notes. In perfumery, two types of narcissus are commonly used: Narcissus poeticus and Narcissus jonquilla. These lend a lush, floral, and green leather effect to fragrances.

Daffodils are a symbol of spring, and their perfumes can range from delicate to sweet and spicy. Some modern perfumes that feature daffodil or narcissus include Eau de Narcisse Bleu by Hermès, Ostara, Mont de Narcisse, and Le Temps d'une Fete.

Daffodil-inspired perfumes include Redwood Alchemy's Daffodil, Wild Hybrid's Daria Daffodil, and BPAL's Qui Aime Bien Châtie Bien

Daffodil-inspired perfumes include a variety of fragrances that capture the essence of the flower. While most hybrid and over-bred daffodils found in garden centres today do not have a scent, there are numerous fragrant wild varieties. The typical olfactory profile associated with daffodils, or narcissus, is often described as reminiscent of dark green leaves with hints of hyacinth and jasmine, sometimes with 'spicy', 'musky', or 'vanillic' notes.

Redwood Alchemy's Daffodil perfume is designed to evoke the scent of daffodils, with notes of jasmine, geranium, and honeysuckle, along with hints of vanilla and greenery. It is available in both spray and roller vials, with the option of international shipping for the roller vial. The perfume oil is made with organic jojoba oil, which promotes healthy skin and provides a more subtle, natural fragrance experience.

Wild Hybrid's Daria Daffodil is another daffodil-inspired fragrance. Wild Hybrid was established in 2009 and creates unique perfume oils using jojoba oil as a base, along with aromatics like absolutes, essential oils, CO2 extracts, and aromachemicals. Their perfumes are inspired by mythology, pop culture, and literature. While I could not find specific notes for the Daria Daffodil perfume, the brand's overall aesthetic suggests an exotic and imaginative take on fragrance.

BPAL, or Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab, is known for their unique, handcrafted perfumes, and their Qui Aime Bien Châtie Bien fragrance is likely inspired by the daffodil's association with the Greek myth of Narcissus. While I could not find specific notes for this perfume, BPAL's creations often feature complex and unusual scent combinations.

These three perfumes offer different interpretations of the daffodil's fragrance, allowing wearers to experience the flower's essence in unique and creative ways.

Daffodils are also known as narcissus, and narcissus oil is used in perfumery

Daffodils, also known as narcissus, are bulbous plants of the Amaryllidaceae family. They are native to the southern part of Europe and the western Mediterranean, with the largest variety of wild species found on the Iberian Peninsula. Daffodils have been linked to the Greek myth of Narcissus, who became obsessed with his reflection in a pool of water, eventually drowning. The name likely stems from the Greek word "narke", meaning "numb", referring to its narcotic effect.

Narcissus oil, derived from the flower, has been utilised for various purposes over the centuries, including in perfumery. The fragrance is said to be strong and rich, with traces of dark green leaves, hyacinth, and jasmine. Some varieties may also exhibit spicy, musky, or vanillic notes. In perfumery, narcissus is classified as a green-floral scent, alongside hyacinth and lily of the valley.

The process of creating narcissus oil involves extracting the flowers with petroleum-ether, resulting in a small amount of concrete, a yellow-green substance that gradually brightens. Further extraction using ethanol yields Narcissus Absolute, a highly prized perfume raw material. Its scent is described as deep floral with woody, balmy, and earthy nuances, reminiscent of the actual flower.

While many cultivated daffodil bulbs sold today lack a noticeable fragrance, there are numerous fragrant wild varieties. The perfumes of these flowers range from delicate to sweet and spicy. Fragrant daffodil cultivars include the award-winning Narcissus 'Yellow Cheerfulness', with its soft golden-yellow petals and warm orange-yellow centre, and the Narcissus 'Hawera', a compact variety with pale yellow blooms and a mild fragrance.

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