In short: cherry blossom smells soft, airy and lightly sweet, with a faint almond or cherry note and a clean, powdery finish. It is a gentle, springtime floral rather than a heavy one.
What cherry blossom smells like
In candles and perfume, cherry blossom is a pale pink sort of smell: delicate petals, a little fruit, a touch of almond, and something fresh like spring air. It is lighter than rose or jasmine and much less heady, which makes it easy to live with.
Where it comes from
Here is the surprise: most ornamental cherry trees, including the famous Japanese varieties, have very little scent. You can stand under a tree in full bloom and smell almost nothing. There is no cherry blossom oil to distill. Instead, perfumers build a "cherry blossom" accord from other materials to capture the feeling of the trees in bloom. Most versions borrow a little almond-cherry sweetness, some soft florals and a powdery, musky finish.
In Japan, cherry blossoms, or sakura, are loved for how briefly they bloom, and spring picnics under the trees, called hanami, are a centuries-old tradition. In the United States the best known trees are the ones Tokyo gave to Washington, D.C., in 1912, which still bloom around the Tidal Basin each spring. Our candles use fragrance oils with a cherry blossom accord.
How it is used
Cherry blossom works as a heart note in light, fresh florals. It is especially popular in spring candles and body care.
What it pairs with
- Peach, pear and other soft fruits
- Lily of the valley, hydrangea and other light florals
- Soft musk and powder, for a clean finish
- Vanilla, for a little sweetness
Our candles with cherry blossom
- Aphrodite: cherry blossom with peach, grapefruit and a soft vanilla base.
- Good-Natured Jane: lily, hydrangea, cherry blossom and lemon peel, for Jane Bennet.
- Moonflower Nectar: cherry blossom with rose, pear and amber.
- Easter Morning: cherry blossom, peony, magnolia and freesia on an early spring morning.
Common questions
Does cherry blossom smell like cherries? Only a little. Most blends have a hint of almond-cherry, but the main impression is soft and floral.
Is cherry blossom a spring-only scent? It feels most at home in spring, but its light, clean character works year-round in a bedroom or bathroom.
Explore more notes in our Fragrance Notes A to Z, or browse our Floral candles.