The main characteristic of an Infinity Rose is probably its fragrance. It is surprising to learn that its fragrance was not a main reason for its breeding and was not fully utilized for centuries. The fragrance of roses was not considered important by flower breeders for a long time, and they focused instead on the development of the flowers and leaf color.
The seductive scent of the rose blossom is often used in the perfume and cosmetics industry. Perfumers have been trying to capture and bottle this scent for centuries. But what does a rose actually smell like?
The history of the rose
The earliest rose petals were found in the Colorado Rockies 35 to 32 million years ago in the Paleolithic period. Records show that the first mention of roses dates back to 3000 BC (Asia). Native North Americans have always used the rose for medicinal purposes. Rose cultivation is an ancient art and practice that has resulted in more than 13,000 varieties of roses.
During the Roman Empire, roses were very popular with 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 rose used at this time were the Damask roseand the Gallica rose.
The use of the scent and its aesthetic beauty only became popular on a large scale in the Victorian era around 1800. Before that, the rose was mainly used for medicinal purposes or to mask odors. It was during this period that the flowers were first used in the home and garden for their pleasant fragrance. It was also at this time that the first attempts were made to define and classify fragrances. It was to take more than a hundred years before the basic rose fragrances were classified and their chemical compounds correctly identified.
The most important rose fragrances
Broadly speaking, there are five main rose fragrances: old or traditional rose (also known as damask), tea, myrrh, fruit and musk, with variations within each category. The scent can change depending on the weather, time of day, season and even from year to year.
Old/traditional rose notes in rose fragrances
The special fragrance that 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 in the production of essential oils due to their strong and rich aroma.
Teen notes in rose fragrances
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 violet. This can be found in tea roses, of course, but also in a number of English roses.
Myrrh notes in rose fragrances
The myrrh notes in rose fragrances are comparable to sweet and spicy aniseed. This fragrance palette is most commonly found in English roses. This fragrance is found almost exclusively in David Austin rose varieties.
Fruity notes in rose fragrances
The combination of rose and fruity notes is very popular. Rose fragrances usually contain other fruity notes such as raspberry, lemon, apricot, peach or even banana. The classic rose fragrance is often complemented by other notes such as berries or clover.
Musk notes in rose fragrances
Some flowers exude a fragrance that is similar to real musk. It is a sweet and spicy scent reminiscent of meadows, honey and fruity notes. However, unlike other rose fragrances, the musky 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 shades and double petals that have a thick and velvety texture are the most fragrant.
Red and pink roses usually smell of what we associate with the typical, traditional rose fragrance.
White and yellow roses can smell of violets, nasturtiums and lemons.
Strong yellow and orange roses can smell of various fruits, nasturtiums, violets and carnations.
All these different scents combine and blend to create what we now call a lush and nuanced rose fragrance.
If you love the scent of roses, an Infinity Flowerbox is just the thing for you. In our store you will find a large selection of Infinity roses that smell wonderful.