The Five Different Types of Rose Fragrance

When we plant roses, we think first with our eyes when we consider the colour and form of the bloom. Certainly choosing one’s favourite colour or the perfect hue for that magical colour combination is extremely important. Next, since we’re talking roses, we should think with our noses. Roses are not just famous for their visual beauty but also their fragrance. Roses can have strong, medium strong, light, or no fragrance, depending on the cultivar. But beyond the intensity of the fragrance, roses also offer different types of fragrances to choose from. Let’s explore the different types of scents offered by the world of roses.

There are five distinct fragrances used to describe roses:

• Old Rose is the classic scent that comes to mind when we picture a bouquet of red roses. This is the romantic scent that is beloved in perfumes, baking, and even skincare. The traditional old rose fragrance is warm with a hint of sweetness and is a special scent, all on its own. This fragrance can typically be found in red or pink roses. It is the fragrance used in making rose water for which only the most strongly scented of roses are used.
• Fruity fragrance is a broad term used to describe various different fruit-like rose perfumes. Fruit fragrance can include fresh apples, different sweet berries, and zesty citrus. Overall, this scent is light and can occur as a single fruity scent or be a combination of different fruits. Roses with fruity fragrances are an ideal choice for someone who does not like the traditional old rose fragrance.
• Myrrh fragrance is quite unique. It is typically described as a sweet anise or black licorice scent which is warm and spicy. This fragrance is divisive in the rose community as people either love it or hate it. Myrrh is mostly found in English roses. Though some people might not love this fragrance, that aspect is often overlooked because the shapes and forms of English style roses can be so spectacular.
• Tea fragrance is a mixture of fresh tea leaves with warm notes of nutmeg and violet. Apricot and yellow roses typically present a tea-like fragrance. This fragrance is complex, in that it can sometimes be a little fruity.
• Musk fragrance is unique, in that the scent does not come from the rose petals but rather from the stamens. One would have to smell the rose up close to smell its warm, sweet and spicy notes. This fragrance is typically used in perfumes because it has long, lingering notes that can remain present longer than other types of scents.

The experience of rose fragrances can be complex. Some roses might offer a combination of these five main types of perfumes. Also, what one person smells and experiences when they put their nose deep into the petals of a beautiful rose might not be the same as the next person. We also all have different olfactory capabilities in terms of the sensitivity of our noses to detect fragrances in general and then to appreciate the different nuances within them. Though experiencing fragrance can also be learned. You need to keep smelling the roses!

People who are sensitive to fragrance can choose to plant roses with strengths from light to strong while people who have a weaker sense of smell should choose roses listed as having a medium to strong fragrance. After that, decide which are your favourite types of fragrances and how you want to enjoy them. Do you want to smell your roses as you walk about the garden or sit on your patio? Do you want to use your roses for baking or to scent your bath water? Or do you want to cut your roses to enjoy in a vase indoors?