Is there a more inspiring olfactory journey than a wander through an English country garden? From the earthy green lawn to rain-soaked blooms; sun-baked herbs right through to the botanical green vine aroma of a steamy greenhouse and the scent of sticky, ripe fruits in an orchard, we adore every fresh and curiously innocent note. And is it any wonder that this year, after so long spent within our homes, a trend towards modern garden fragrances should have emerged? Forget saccharine sweet colognes. These nostalgic scents will fill your senses with a taste of summer to come.

Miller Harris


Lost in the City, £125
LOST In The City

That this fragrance is named ‘Lost in the City’ may not immediately conjure to mind scent-spiration of an English country garden. And yet one sniff of the curranty, wild rhubarb, rose petal, geranium blend and, trust us, you will be suitably transported to a cottage garden. Not too sweet nor too blousy, there is a spritz of bergamot zest to pep it up and Earl Grey tea notes for a lingering fragrant whisper. Our favourite of the bunch. Shop it here.

Jo Malone


Elderflower Cordial, £55
Jo Malone Elderflower

Inspired by that most heavenly of things, an English country fair, the new collection of colognes from Jo Malone includes this Elderflower Cordial scent. Rest assured, there’s none of the syrupy fizz you may imagine, but a tart gooseberry top note, fragrant elderflower bloom heart and rich, and a lingering scent of dried fruits to sweeten the deal. Shop it here.

Malin + Goetz


Strawberry, £75
Strawberry Eau De Parfum.

Billed as a ‘deconstructed and unexpected’ common garden strawberry, this smart, modern take on the berry fruit features a fresh blend of bergamot, pink pepper, warm musks, jasmine petals and orris root for a complex yet undeniably strawberry-ish vibe. Shop it here.

Loewe


Tomato Leaves, €85
Tomato Leaves Room Spray

Don’t be lulled into imagining this is anything about the red fruit in the title. It is all green warm, botanical lushness, straight from the veg patch. Part of a new series of singular perfumes inspired by Victorian apothecaries – other scents include beetroot, coriander, luscious pea and oregano – this is our favourite of the bunch. Available as fragrances, candles and diffusers too, it’s the perfect way to bring the garden into your home. Shop it here.

Chloe


Rose Tangerine, £45
Chloé Eau De Toilette Rose Tangerine For Her 30ml

It might sound like it shouldn’t work – soft, powdery rose with zesty citrus – but let us assure you that the combination is pure sunshine. The bright tangerine essence is balanced with cassis and a base of woody cedar and fresh rose absolute for a thoroughly modern, clean twist on a fruity scent. Shop it here.

Hugo Boss


Alive, £86
BOSS Alive Eau De Parfum For Her 80ml

There is a comforting femininity to Hugo Boss’ new fragrance, Alive; it’s like a barefoot, stroll at dusk through an orchard in the last throws of summer. There’s a fresh juicy burst of apple, followed by sweet jasmine and ripe plum, mellowing to a cossetting vanilla sandalwood finish. Shop it here.

Byredo


Pulp, £122
Pulp Eau De Parfum 50ml

Byredo’s fragrances are always unexpectedly and never subtle. This one is dubbed an ‘international fruit basket of a fragrance’ and it combines a sweet medley of crushed fruit with notes of blackcurrant, fig, red apple and peach flower balancing out the sweetness with bergamot, cardamom, cedarwood and praline. Zesty, refreshing and a touch tart, it’s fruity, but not like you know it. Shop it here.

By Lydia Mansi
May 2021

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