Spring Weekend Update
I snapped a few photos in the garden today and posted one above of the very fragrant hybrid tea rose called Elle. I’ll post the other pics next Saturday as part of my May Flowers group post — photos of clematis, roses, poppies, and heuchera.
My new cap press arrived and I will try it tonight or tomorrow. My order for gold foil came, but it was silver rather than gold so I had to reorder and won’t get the correct foil until next Thursday. I’ll take the foil to the printer next Friday to finally try the first labels for the new bottles.
I’m testing samples of frangipani absolute from several sources and they are all pretty, but it is interesting to see the differences. One is especially beautiful and smells more like distinct floral notes with jasmine, orange blossom, and gardenia. Another sample is floral too but the notes are more mixed and less distinct, and it has more green nuances. I’ve tried growing frangipani here a few times in pots but they just don’t thrive here.
I did some quick sniff testing of a few perfumes over the last couple weeks and loved the Grossmith samples. You might enjoy sampling these if you are a fan of vintage scents. The ingredients are high quality and they do smell very much like scents of the past, which will either appeal to you or not. They are expensive if you want a full bottle but are fun to sample. Here were some reviews on Perfume Shrine. I also tried the new Parfumerie Generale Gardenia Grand Soir, but it did not do well on me. I was curious to sniff it since I’m working on a related theme of white florals on a sandalwood base. The orange blossom note in Gardenia Grand Soir had grapey and soapy aspects that came out on me, unfortunately. I’m really looking forward to trying the new L’Artisan tuberose scent!
Stunning rose photo! Reminds me of a rose I used to grow (only shady growing spots at my condo now) called Summer Dream:
http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/pl.php?n=6006&tab=36
Coincidentally, I’m testing a white floral today… 😉
Hi Donna,
That does look similar! Wish the photo could emit scent — it’s a really nice fragrant rose! I’ve been enjoying bouquets this week. The first spring bloom is always the best.
Hi Laurie!
When I was still gardening, I was able to buy frangipani at our local Lowe’s hardware garden department. It actually did quite well in my pots in my yard, but then, Austin is so humid, it would have been hard to kill it!
I could break off stems of it and shove it in the dirt and then that stem would grow and bloom. I loved the fragrance, and, honestly, I have not found its equal in a perfume yet.
So: keep on keepin’ on!
Hi Jo!
I’ve heard people say that frangipani will grow that way from fresh starts! Wish they’d do better here, but I think they like more humidity than our dry summers provide. I may not have given them ideal conditions either though. I went to Hawaii once and the frangipani leis smelled wonderful! Bet you had fun growing it.
Oh, wanted to tell you that Mom found a new Dolfin bar flavor she loves — the dark chocolate with coffee one. 🙂
Absolutely gorgeous photo. Does it smell as amazing as it looks?
-Amm C.
Hi Ann, yes! It has a very strong scent with some citrus and spice. It’s a really pretty fragrance and different from the deep red roses or the pink old roses. Fun to have the variety of scents. Another peachy pink rose that does well in my garden with a yummy strong scent is the David Austin rose Abraham Darby.
I smelled the L’Artisan Nuit de Tuberose last week and it is truly awesome. I can’t wait to get a bottle of it!
The frangipani absolute you mention with the jasmine, orange blossom and gardenia notes sounds wonderful.
The reviews I’ve read on Gardenia Grand Soir have not been good, so I think that’s one I don’t need to sample. Can’t wait to sniff Bouquet Blanc though! 🙂
Hi Tara,
I’m really looking forward to trying Nuit de Tuberose! It does sound great!
This frangipani is different from any others I’ve tried. I just ordered a little bit last night to experiment with it. The floral notes are so distinct and beautiful.
I worked on BB this weekend. 🙂