In the world of flowers, there's a very special category: those we call silent flowers. These flowers, like lily of the valley, lilac, hyacinth, carnation, honeysuckle and sweet pea, delight us with their beauty and delicate fragrance.
While they scent our gardens and homes in beautiful bouquets, their fragrance cannot be captured naturally to create a perfume. That's what makes these flowers so precious and mysterious.
In this article, we'll (re)discover lily of the valley, the silent flower that offers us a unique olfactory spectacle. We'll explore its history, its symbolism, its virtues and the reasons why its fragrance cannot be artificially reproduced.
Lily of the valley, an emblematic spring flower
Lily of the valley is a species of flowering plant in the Asparagaceae family. It generally grows in Europe and Northern Asia. It is distinguished by its small, white flowers, which form clusters of highly fragrant bells.
Deceptive in appearance, lily of the valley hides a fearsome toxicity in all its parts: stems, leaves and flowers, and should therefore never be eaten. It can cause digestive, neurological and cardiac disorders.
What's more, it's a flower steeped in symbolism and legend. In Celtic mythology, it was associated with the goddess Beltaine, divinity of spring. It was said to protect against evil spirits.
Since the 16th century in France, lilies of the valley, a symbol of happiness and good luck, have been offered on May 1st, Labour Day, perpetuating a popular tradition that has become emblematic.
A delicate, bewitching fragrance
The fresh, floral and slightly woody fragrance of lily of the valley is appreciated by many and has become a real craze, especially in France.
But lily of the valley is what is known as a "mute flower". To date, no traditional perfume-making technique has been able to capture its essence. As a result, it's impossible to extract the fragrance of lily of the valley directly from the flower itself. To recreate its characteristic scent, it's necessary to compose an accord from natural and synthetic raw materials. This accord, also known as reproduction or reconstitution, aims to capture the subtle, delicate essence of lily of the valley.
In addition, it is also possible to use a method called "headspace", which consists of analyzing and reproducing the scent of the flower, concentrating mainly on its top notes, those that are most perceptible from the very first moment..
While capturing the essence of the lily of the valley is a challenge for perfumers, technological advances have made it possible to create fragrances that are increasingly faithful to its delicate scent.
Discover this emblematic flower through a Masterclass
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of lily of the valley and discover its secrets during a unique Masterclass "Mystic Muguet", a veritable ode to this emblematic flower, the "Mystic Muguet". mercredi 1er mai 2024 à 14h.
Guided by a passionate perfumer, you'll be immersed in the fascinating world of lily of the valley, its rich symbols, its ancestral uses and, above all, the secrets of its delicate, bewitching fragrance.
Thanks to this masterclass, you will have the unique opportunity to:
- Discover how to extract and reconstitute the fragrance of lily of the valley
- Learn to identify the different olfactory notes that make up this complex, delicate fragrance.
- Create your own lily of the valley note to incorporate into your final fragrance
- Leave with a custom-made 30ml perfume: a unique souvenir of this sensory experience.
Whether you're a flower lover, a perfume enthusiast or simply curious to discover the secrets of lily of the valley, this Masterclass is for you.
Register today for a unique and unforgettable experience:
