How to create your own beautiful scents with potpourri

Flowers and herbs were the original source of the pleasing scents used domestically to sweeten the air and perfume the body. These days potpourri is usually prepared by the simpler drying method. Here are some ideas of the kinds of fragrances you can use from your own garden or kitchen spice rack to create a potpourri that suits your (or your family's) taste.

• Geranium leaves
• Rosemary
• Lemon verbena
• Pine
• Orange or lemon rind
• Mint

Sharp, invigorating, spicy, woody scents

• Clove
• Moss
• Cedar
• Ginger
• Pine

Sweet, soothing floral scents

• Rose
• Tuberose
• Jasmine
• Lavender
• Orris root
• Lily of the valley

• 1 kg (4 c) rose petals
• 1 kg (4 c) rose geranium leaves
• 500 g (2 c) lavender leaves
• 225 g (1 c) rosemary leaves
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) each of ground cloves, ­cinnamon and allspice
• 45 ml (3 tbsp) crushed orris root and ­powdered gum benzoin
• 20 drops rose oil

• 225 g (1 c) dried chamomile
• 225 g (1 c) dried assorted yellow flowers
• 225 g (1 c) dried juniper flowers
• 500 g (2 c) dried eucalyptus leaves
• 225 g (1 c) dried rosemary leaves
• 500 g (2 c) pine cones
• 225 g (1 c) dried orange peel
• 275 g (1.25 c) crushed coriander seeds
• 275 g (1.25 c) moss
• 45 mg (3 tbsp) of crushed orris root and ­powdered gum benzoin
• 3 drops lime oil
• 2 drops eucalyptus oil

With a careful blend of ingredients, plus a little fixative to ensure the gradual release of fragrance over a long time span, you will be able to make your own natural, sweet-smelling scents.