Gardenia Perfume and Spritz

I truly do love the smell of gardenia’s, and take every opportunity I can in their blooming season to cut bouquets, open windows and enjoy the pure sweetness day and night they can offer.  It is such a depressing day when the flowers fade giving way to summer heat.  When I stumbled upon ways to preserve that fragrance in a simple perfume and water spritz I just had to try them.  They did not disappoint.

First you need to pick your fresh flowers, as gardenia’s are delicate and do not last long after picking you need to be rather quick and prepared to process them right after pickings.

Once picked, separate the pedals from the green stems.  Now you get to decide what you wish to do with them.

Perfume

To make perfume you need

Distilled water

Alcohol :  Rubbing alcohol, witch hazel, or vodka (100 proof) works best.

Glass jar

Mix your distilled water and alcohol base together in even amounts. (1 part water to 1 part base).

Fill glass jar with gardenia pedals until filled, pack them down slightly so the jar is full but not to point the flowers are mashed.

Add the water/alcohol mix to the flowers and seal.  Warning, they will take on a brown look, this will get worse as they sit and release their oils, this is ok. Let rest in a low light location for several weeks to fuse the fragrance.

Strain water/alcohol mix through paper towels/cloth into pitcher or bowl.

Add your new perfume to spray bottles and enjoy.  Store in dark/low light location.

Water Air Freshening/Body Spritz

To make a water spritz, you place your flowers in a large kettle and add distilled water.  Heat water slowly on low heat until just under boiling, reduce heat and let flowers steep in hot liquid until water naturally cools to lukewarm or room temperature.   Strain flowers from liquid with us of a cloth, retaining the liquid in a glass bowl.

Using glass containers or canning jars store your liquid air freshener, be sure it is stored in a semi to dark location, or cover the bottle with thick towels to keep out light.  When needed to use just fill a dark colored spray bottle.

Yep, it’s that easy. Now you are ready to spray your room, add a cup to your bath, or rejuvenate yourself.

The brown coloration you see is natural. I have used the water to color homemade paper, “antique” papers and color wool and fabrics. Not only do they get a unique color but smell wonderful also.

For variety in either of these try adding mint, lavender, roses, rosemary,sage, basil, hollyhock, lilac or other flowers to the pot.  Cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg also can be used to accent.  Experiment and enjoy.