Heavenly scent of Summer

Gabrielle Fagan sniffs out the season’s most summery fragrances evoking tropical beaches, palm trees and salty sea air to perfume your home over these long hazy days.

Summer may not linger long, but its scents stay in the memory – freshly cut grass, salty sea air, and the heady perfume of a rose garden – all evocative of lazy, sunny days.

We’re particularly receptive to scents because our senses come alive at this time of year and the warmth in the air means smells are carried further.

We’ve sourced 10 of the best summer home fragrances. Use them to enhance those sultry days while they last, or recreate your favourite scent sensations – from a classic cream tea and country stroll to sea breeze – and enjoy them long after the season’s ended.

1. STRAWBERRIES WITHOUT THE CREAM!

Strawberries and cream are a quintessential treat during British summertime, but simply savouring their sweet scent could be a calorie-free pleasure.

This is a lick-the-spoon aroma with a rose scent mixed with the fruity, sugary notes of ripe strawberries.

Gisela Graham Strawberry Print Scented Candle, Rose & Summer Berry, £10.95, Hurn & Hurn

2. GARDEN STROLL

No green fingers, no garden, no problem – simply sample the scent of a country garden indoors.

The designer’s taken his inspiration from traditional cottages and meadow gardens for his fresh scent, which features bergamot, lemon, blackcurrant, rose, Ceylon tea, powdery, orange blossom, and musk.

Matthew Williamson’s English Garden Candle, £140, Amara

3. THE FUTURE’S ORANGE

Orange blossom’s been renowned for its relaxing properties since the 17th Century and could be ideal for lowering stress levels on a hot, sticky, busy day.

This citrus fragrance has top notes of orange blossom and petitgrain, an essential oil distilled from the bark of an orange tree, as well as hints of geranium, rose and amber.

Manor Orangery Scented Candle, by True Grace, £32, The French Bedroom Company

4. FLOWERS IN THE RAIN

Showers are never far away during a British summer, but those rain-drenched woodland flowers release a heavenly fragrance.

White florals with pink pepper on an evocative base of amber and musk combine in this delicate, moist, fresh scent. To order, visit McQueens.co.uk, call 020 7251 5505 or email enquiries@ mcqueens.co.uk.

Petal Storm Candle, £65, Miller Harris X McQueens Flowers Candle Collection

5. HOLIDAY VIBE

Just the smell of coconut sun lotion transports us to a sun-drenched beach quicker than any plane ever could...

Have cossie, flip flops and a towel at the ready as a blend of bergamot, orange, coconut, almond and vanilla instantly evokes sandy beaches, blue seas, palm trees, rum cocktails and relaxing in the sun (no passport needed).

The Tropical Paradise Scented Candle, £32, Chase And Wonder

6. THE GREEN, GREEN GRASS OF HOME

Freshly cut grass is one of the nation’s favourite smells – the only downside is labouring with the mower! Take a shortcut with a scented candle that promises to replicate the vibrant green aroma of freshly-cut lush rich grass.

Fresh Cut Scented Grass Candle, £20, Sophie Allport

7. TAKE TIME OUT TO SMELL THE ROSES

Roses are the undoubted stars of summer gardens, with their beautiful blooms and scent.

Everything’s coming up roses in Sophie Allport’s English Rose fragranced diffuser, which has captured the essence of their soft scent.

English Rose Scented Reed Diffuser, £25, Sophie Allport

8. GO EAST...

Spirit yourself to tranquil, exotic climes, with an invigorating fragrance redolent of oriental lemongrass and ginger, balanced with an element of citrus and spice, alongside the floral scent of jasmine and rose petals.

Jasmine, Lemongrass & Ginger Candle, £25, Sara Miller

9. HEADY AND ROMANTIC

Sultry summer nights are surely meant for romancing, and a heady, sensual scent will add to the seductive atmosphere.

This candle’s distinctive scent has a base of sandalwood, patchouli and tonka beans, sweetened by cinnamon and vanilla, with top notes of bergamot and honey.

CIRE by Cire Trudon, £85, Liberty

10. SWEET DREAMS

Hot summer nights can make sleeping difficult, but a peace-inducing scent could be calming, and help stop that tossing and turning.

The White Company’s Sleep Candle contains six soothing essential oils, including lavender, chamomile and clary sage, to help quieten the mind, release tension and satisfy the senses.

Sleep Candle, £20, The White Company

Just the smell of coconut sun lotion transports us to a sundrenched beach quicker than any plane could...