Last evening, I was walking home along a quiet street, when my nose told me that the tall, graceful trees towering above were black locust acacia trees- in full bloom! These same trees grow in a small grove in one of the city parks in Nelson, and every year when I lived in that neighbourhood, walking beneath these trees in early summer, I would be surprised to find myself suddenly immersed in the most beautiful pink bubblegum, tropical ylang ylang floral perfume. Last night was the same. The scent that these shy white clusters of blooms high above my head release into the early evening is intense. Although familiar, I found these coastal blooms to be more in the direction of the cologne 4711 that my mother used to wear- rich with sweet neroli. So as I walked along this street, realizing then that the sidewalk was also strewn with the blossoms, breathing in the scent of my mother touched with pink bubblegum, I was reminded, as I have been so many times before- that the most amazing perfumes in existence, are like this- emanated so perfectly, intoxicatingly, from Nature. And usually when we least expect it…
The perfume of flowering Black Locust
Published by
A Perfumed Pilgrimage 
I share your sentiments Jessica. Sometimes nature’s own amazing perfumes can catch you off guard. Always good to stop and enjoy the moment
Yes, stop and absorb the moment, and I like to attempt to analyze the structure of these magnificent perfumes. Apparently Coco Chanel said that women shouldn’t smell like flowers… but I think she must not have had the opportunity to smell perfumes like these wild flowers… because they really do embody pure magical sensuality. (in my opinion anyway!)
Hi Jessica!
First of all, congratulations for sharing your inspirational stories since 2007 with us. I’ve have read them all like a good book except, you keep waiting when your new post would be. Second, congratulations on your accomplishment as an entrepreneur. I wish you all but success.
I also fell in love with natural perfumes a while ago and have been playing “perfumer” by making my own, until I decided to go serious and make a career out of that.
Would you highly recommend GIP as a way to educate myself and a way to star a new career in the industry?
I would like very much to exchange some emails with you about this school and also hear your advice for someone like me, that does not have a background in the industry.
Wish you all the best
Daniela Schuch, Austin TX USA
Hello Daniela,
Thank you for following this story as it has unfolded! To answer your question; yes absolutely, I think GIP is worthwhile- in so many ways, some expected, and others not. I will forever benefit from the doors that have opened as a result of that decision. Feel free to email me via nectar@1000flowers.ca. Enjoy your day!
Hello
Black locust is my favourite tree because of its smell. It reminds mi of my childhood, when I was growing up in a country where one of the commonest tree is black locust. I’m looking for a perfume what smells like these white clumps of flowers already couple of years. I did not find any scent what would match a real thing. This was a favourite smell of my mum who died just a year ago. Now I’m living in England and I did not see any black locust here and I must say I miss it.
Hello Marta…yes Black Locust is so lovely. I don’t know of a fragrance that could resemble it… but perhaps one day, I will do a study of this flower and create a perfume in it’s honour. I hope you have a sunny summer in England this year! xx