The main characteristic of an Infinity Rose is probably its scent. It is surprising to learn that its scent was not a primary reason for its cultivation and was not fully utilized for centuries. The scent of roses was not considered important by flower breeders for a long time, and they focused instead on developing the flower and leaf color.
The seductive scent of the rose blossom is frequently used for the perfume and cosmetics industry. For centuries, perfumers have been trying to capture and bottle this scent. But what does a rose actually smell like?
The history of the rose
The earliest rose leaves were found in the Colorado Rockies 35 to 32 million years ago in the Paleolithic Age. Records show that the first mention of roses dates back to 3000 BC (Asia). The indigenous people of North America have always used the rose for medicinal purposes. Rose breeding is an ancient art and practice that has led to more than 13,000 rose varieties.
During the Roman Empire, roses were highly sought after by the Romans. The flowers were mainly used to scent rooms after bathing. According to historical accounts, Cleopatra even filled a room over a meter deep with rose petals during her romance with Marc Anthony. The two most important types of roses used during this time were the Damask and the Gallica rose.
The use of the scent and its aesthetic beauty only became widely popular in the Victorian era around 1800. Before that, the rose was mainly used for medicinal purposes or to cover up odors. During this time, the flowers were first used in homes and gardens because of their pleasant scent. It was also during this time that the first attempts were made to define and classify scents. It would take more than a hundred years for the basic rose scents to be classified and their chemical compounds properly identified.
The most important rose scents
Roughly speaking, there are five main rose scents: Old or traditional roses (also known as Damask), tea, myrrh, fruit, and musk, with variations within all categories. The scent can change depending on the weather, time of day, season, and even from year to year.
Old/traditional rose notes in rose scents
The particular fragrance most people associate with roses belongs to the popular Damask rose. This is the rose variety most associated with its flower type. It is known for its delicate fragrance and is considered the most fragrant of all rose varieties. The petals of the modern English Rose 'Gertrude Jekyll' are often used to make essential oils because of their strong and rich aroma.
Tea notes in rose scents
Tea notes in roses smell like fresh tea leaves. This scent is earthy, perhaps even a little reminiscent of tar, and can also contain a strong essence of violets. This is naturally found in tea roses, but also in a number of English roses.
Myrrh notes in rose scents
The myrrh notes in rose scents are comparable to sweet and spicy anise. This fragrance palette is most commonly found in English roses. This scent is found almost exclusively in the rose varieties from David Austin.
Fruity notes in rose scents
The combination of rose and fruit notes is very popular. Rose scents usually contain other fruit notes such as raspberry, lemon, apricot, peach, or even banana. The classic rose scent is often complemented by other notes, such as berries or clover.
Musk notes in rose scents
Some flowers exude a scent similar to real musk. It is a sweet and spicy smell reminiscent of meadows, honey, and fruity notes. Unlike other rose scents, however, the musk scent comes from the stamens of the plant, while other aromas come from the petals.
The relationship between color and scent
In general, roses with darker hues and filled petals that have a thick and velvety consistency smell the best.
Red and pink roses usually smell like what we associate with the typical, traditional rose scent.
White and yellow roses can smell like violets, nasturtium, and lemons.
Strong yellow and orange roses can smell like various fruits, nasturtium, violets, and carnations.
All these different scents combine and blend to what we now call a lush and nuanced rose scent.
If you love the scent of roses, an Infinity Flowerbox is just the thing for you. In our shop you will find a large selection of Infinity Roses that smell wonderful.