Farewell Florals—I’m Wearing These Cooler, Herby Perfumes for Summer Instead

Key notes: Nigerian ginger extract, Egyptian basil, Chinese spearmint, Chinese eucalyptus, Egyptian geranium, ambroxan, wet grass, white woods

My local swimming pool is in a council-run leisure centre where I think they rely on the stench of chlorine to cover the fact that nothing’s had a proper clean for about a decade. So it’s safe to say that I wasn’t expecting this fragrance to smell quite so sophisticated. Of course, this scent is inspired by a natural swimming pool, and it definitely captures that cooling, aromatic quality of plunging into crystal-clear waters and emerging into dappling sunlight. The herbaceous elements here come from comforting basil and uplifting spearmint, which, when paired with eucalyptus, add a freshness that feels particularly wonderful to wear during the hot weather. (I was spritzing this on liberally during the UK’s recent heatwave.) If you want a perfume that will not only brighten your spirits but will have everyone asking you what you’re wearing, then I can’t rate this highly enough.

Key notes: Coriander, saffron, pink pepper, ginger, orris, fig, cedarwood, oud, sandalwood, vetiver, musk

If you like warm, smoky and grounding scents, then this earthy complex will appeal. Imagine walking through an abundant cottage garden just after rainfall, where the damp soil is clinging to freshly-picked bunches of coriander and the leaves of a verdant fig tree are still damp, and you’re halfway there. It feels wonderfully meditative, but also uplifting thanks to a little zing from pink pepper and ginger. Plus, if you love skin scents, I think that there’s enough here to keep it feeling familiar with the warming sandalwood and musk once it settles into your skin. An understated perfume with an abundance of depth.

Key notes: Fennel, carrot blossom, patchouli

Carrot might not sound like an obvious choice for a perfume, but Jo Malone’s new veggie-inspired summer collection makes it centre stage in this cologne and, trust me, it’s a surprisingly beautiful green note. In this cologne, the sweet carrot mingles with musky orange blossom for a fresh, slightly earthy sweetness that feels delicate rather than a sugary gourmand. Combined with patchouli and fennel—which has an almost aniseed smell—it offers a really contemporary twist on a summer floral and feels both elegant and unique.

Key notes: Lime zest, lemongrass, basil leaf, nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, gurjun tree, clary sage, agarwood, cedar, musk, vanilla pod, guaiac wood

I’ve never had the pleasure of strolling barefoot through a herb-filled courtyard in a sun-drenched Moroccan garden. Still, this fragrance aims to bottle the idea and I’m instantly transported to the foothills of the Atlas Mountains on smelling it. This is one of the herbaceous in the lineup with fresh basil leaf, clary sage and lemongrass teamed with a generous sprinkle of spices and warm woods. It’s warming, enveloping and has plenty of depth, and basically transports you to more balmy and aromatic climes on first spritz.

Key notes: Iso E Super, Clary Sage

Clary sage is one of the most underrated herbal notes in perfumery, and this fragrance showcases it beautifully. The clean, aromatic quality of the sage blends seamlessly with Molecule 01's famous skin scent to create something that feels uniquely personal but distinctly fresh. Rather than smelling overtly herbal, it melts into the skin and enhances your natural scent with a layer of slightly aromatic crispness. Every time I wear it, I feel refreshed, energised and somehow more confident without trying too hard.

Key notes: White ginger, water mint, basil, seaweed, champaca, green notes, amber, moss, sandalwood

I defy you to smell this perfume and not feel immediately perkier. To me, this captures the optimism of summer and has me imagining coastal escapes and beachside breaks. It’s bright, breezy and aromatic, with the combination of zingy ginger and refreshing mint offering up all of the joy of a happy hour cocktail. One of the sweetest on the list, it avoids becoming saccharine with the greener notes like seaweed and basil, which lend the whole thing an almost aquatic quality. Refreshing, uplifting and endlessly easy to wear, it’s a real crowd pleaser.

Key notes: Pine needle absolute, organic Italian bergamot oil, Isle of Porquerolles Perfumer Scent Trek™, eucalyptus, myrtle oil, organic French cypress oil, ambrofix, organic benzoin resinoid

If you like the idea of forest bathing or meditation in the great outdoors, but, like me, you live in a pollution-ridden city, then this Chloé Atelier des Fleurs perfume might give you a taste of what it could feel like. It’s a homage to the beautiful Porquerolles, a pine-lined island in the French Mediterranean, and it really celebrates the crisp freshness of pine needles here. It’s green, woody, and atmospheric, capturing nature in a refined rather than an earthy way. Wearing it allows me to feel clear-headed, serene and utterly sophisticated.

Key notes: Coriander, pepper, juniper needle, geranium, clove stem, clary sage, musk, magnolia, mace

Coriander is often totally overlooked in fragrance, possibly because it’s a slightly divisive aromatic, but put your preconceptions aside because I think even coriander sceptics could be convinced by this. Despite it being its namesake, this perfume rather captures the aromatic nature of coriander and the complexity of the herb rather than attempting to leave you smelling like the pungent leaf itself. The use of pepper, mace, juniper and clary sage adds a sparkling energy and a hit of spicy warmth, while the musk and magnolia give it a slightly sweet and cosy drydown. It’s one of the most exciting scents on the list, and perfect if you’re looking for something unconventional to wear.

Key notes: Angelica, bergamot, rose, sage, sandalwood, patchouli

This delicate perfume marries the scents of a fresh forest with an English country garden, and the result is an elegant celebration of the finest herbal notes. Sage, the star player, really shines through here with its green, slightly peppery warmth, which balances the sweet traditional rose and juicy bergamot perfectly. It’s comforting without being overly cosy—I think that’s due to the slightly musky angelica, which has a slightly earthy edge—and definitely feels like you’ve escaped into a secluded oasis when you spray it on.

Key notes: Clary sage, mirabelle, orris, ciste oil, musks, ambroxan, palo santo

A more unexpected take on a herbaceous perfume, this cult scent from Byredo is all about using fragrance as rituals of remembrance, and it does have an almost ethereal, otherworldly quality to it. Aromatic clary sage sits at the heart of the composition, bringing an almost cleansing quality that's both fresh and contemplative. But combined with musks and deeper woody notes, there’s nothing airy about this perfume—it feels grounded, substantial and comforting. Rather than simply smelling good, it creates an entire mood that feels incredibly powerful to wear.

Key notes: Bergamot, cardamom, red thyme, oregano, cashmerewood, white cedarwood, amber wood, vetiver, tonka bean, praline

If you’re a total newbie to herby perfumes, then this definitely leans on the more gourmand side of the category, despite being abundant in more classic herbs like thyme and oregano. The greenery is definitely present from the outset, but it’s softened by richer elements like white woods, cardamom and the familiar honeyed notes of tonka bean and praline. It evolves throughout the day, starting bright with citrus before moving through the more complex herbal notes and then drying into a soft sweetness that is pleasingly wearable.