More Magnificent Magnolias (your nose needs to know…)

You may have noticed we’re fully embracing a spring-fling of magnificent magnolia fragrances to wear this season, so from that initial edit of some favourite magnolia scents, and having taken a closer look at the science and history behind why we (and perfumers) adore the smell of magnolia; now we’re going in for a second floral frolic.

Which of these have you tried so far? Your nose is going to need to smell them ALL, and we’re pretty sure you’ll fall – or rather, spring – for at least one…

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE BLUE TEA

With each fragrance celebrating rare ingredients traded on the Spice Routes in their ancient home of Venice, it’s fitting the mysterious blue tea takes centre stage, here – housed in possibly TMOV’s most glorious bottle to date. The wardrobe-style box reveals the be-tasselled Chinoiserie flacon – and inside that, a melange of hushed magnolia magnificence, butterfly pea-flower leaves (never before used in perfumery) adding freshness to the floral and nutmeg infusion, which offers a deeply satisfying woody finale.

£205 for 100ml eau de parfum harrods.com

DSQUARED2 WOOD POUR FEMME

This magnolia-fused scent bubbles over with the vivacity of an escaped giggle – Sicilian mandarin and raspberry leaf dancing with the clarity granted by lily of the valley and the clarity of that magnolia. Shards of luminescent jasmine pierce the peach-skin fuzziness of osmanthus, and the musky, woody base feels like ice crystals formed on a cashmere scarf. A joyfully exuberant yet totally modern take on laid-back, cheeky chic.

£59.50 for 50ml eau de toilette theperfumeshop.com

MEMOIZE LONDON CONCORDIA

‘Despite life’s greatest challenges and difficult moments, your inner smile, sense of composure and stability has always shone through,’ says Memoize. Fruity pomegranate, bergamot and orange with a hint of pink peppercorn fizzes to the floral heart of floral orris, mellow magnolia and transparent jasmine, as more fruitiness sustains via green fig and ripe plum. The complex dry-down offers notes of opulent patchouli, vanilla and white musk, juxtaposing cool, green vetiver.

£177 for 100ml eau de parfum In our shop

LABORATORIO OLFATTIVO DECOU-VERT

Binding the sultry side of magnolia to a flourish of green leafiness, an extraordinary aquatic feeling is evoked – the sensation of water droplets gathered in buds which then bloom into a whole wild woodland of flowers: lily of the valley, wild jasmine, lilac trees granting a shady pathway as the perfumed warms on skin. Later, the beguiling but light trail of white musks is suffused with drifts of pollen from the magnolia trees. Hypnotically beautiful.

£90 for 100ml eau de parfum parfum-muse.com

Yardley Magnolia & Fig

Brimming with joyfulness, this light-filled ode to spring is bursting with those opulent magnolia flowers – there’s a feel for the textures of the tree here, from the elegant branches balancing the blooms to the bright green leaves all soaked from April’s showers then warmed in gentle sunlight. The fig note adds a creaminess, reminiscent of the waxy-petalled flowers, as piquant cassis balances smooth patchouli and the dewy grassiness of vetiver in the base.

£16.99 for 100ml eau de toilette boots.com

Written by Suzy Nightingale