Quick answers
Olfactory family
Citrus / Floral
Olfactory signature
A crisp fruity floral centered on osmanthus absolute, water lily and Indian jasmine, opened by pomelo and davana over a base of cedarwood, labdanum and musk.
Story
Osmanthus is composed by Ormonde Jayne, the independent British house founded in 2001 in London (United Kingdom) by Linda Pilkington, whose perfumes are handmade in England.
Osmanthus is a fruity floral white flower from Japan and China. Like a deliciously crisp spring day, this uplifting creation with Japanese osmanthus absolute is a beautifully composed bouquet of flowers, embellished with golden citrus notes. Layered on a bed of Egyptian sweet herbs, it is intense, fresh and yet uncomplicated.
Pomelo, davana and pimento open the structure. Osmanthus absolute, water lily and sambac, an Indian jasmine, form the heart, while cedarwood, labdanum resin, musk and vetiver close it. Osmanthus is an Eau de Parfum at maximum strength in the 88 ml format.
Olfactory pyramid
The olfactory architecture of Osmanthus is presented below using the maison's own Head, Heart and Soul labels. The summary notes are Osmanthus, pomelo, water lily and sambac jasmine.
Head
Pomelogolden citrus lift
Davana, pimentofruity-spiced facets
Heart
Osmanthus absolutethe apricot-tinged floral at the core
Water lily, sambac jasminefresh white florals
Soul
Cedarwood, labdanum resindry woody resin
Musk, vetiversoft, clean base
Olfactory profile
The signature of Osmanthus is its crispness. Osmanthus absolute carries a natural apricot-and-leather facet, and the house keeps it luminous by pairing it with golden citrus and fresh white florals rather than weighing it down. Its Perfume Profile reads crisp, uplifting and uncomplicated.
The opening is bright, with pomelo and davana giving a juicy citrus-fruity lift. The heart settles into osmanthus, water lily and sambac jasmine, a fresh and slightly fruity floral bouquet. The drydown of cedarwood, labdanum, musk and vetiver gives a clean, soft woody finish that keeps the composition easy to wear.
Key characteristics
Perfume Profile
Crisp. Uplifting. Uncomplicated
Concentration
Eau de Parfum, maximum strength
Format
88 ml / 2.97 fl oz US
When and where to wear
Osmanthus is a spring and summer scent at heart, where its crisp citrus floral character reads at its freshest and most uplifting. It also works well in milder autumn weather for those who favor a luminous register.
Its uncomplicated, fresh nature makes it ideal for daytime, work and warm-weather wear. It is easy to apply generously without becoming heavy.
Wear references
Temperatures
Ideal between 14 °C and 28 °C.
Moment
Rather daytime, and early evening.
Contexts
Office, lunches, outings: very well suited.
Dosage
Daytime: 2 sprays. Evening: 2 to 3 sprays.
Seasonal fit
| Season | Fit | Critical notes |
|---|
| Spring | ★★★★ | Ideal season. |
| Summer | ★★★★ | Fresh and luminous. |
| Autumn | ★★★☆ | Good fit. |
| Winter | ★★☆☆ | Can lack warmth. |
Context fit
| Setting | Fit | Usage recommendation |
|---|
| Office | ★★★★ | Crisp and elegant. |
| Lunch | ★★★★ | Very well suited. |
| Outing | ★★★★ | Luminous. |
| Intimate dinner | ★★★☆ | Fresh. |
| Sport | ★★★☆ | Possible, light. |
| Travel | ★★★★ | Versatile. |
In Linda's words
The maison publishes a personal note from founder Linda Pilkington for Osmanthus.
Osmanthus is very well known in Hong Kong and China, not only as a flower but also in cuisine and tea. As soon as I land in Hong Kong, an Osmanthus tea served at the Mandarin Oriental hotel is my 'go to' nostalgic moment.Linda Pilkington, Ormonde Jayne
Similar perfumes
These perfumes share a family or character with Osmanthus.
| Perfume | House | Why related |
|---|
| Champaca | Ormonde Jayne | a creamy floral gourmand |
| Frangipani | Ormonde Jayne | a heady tropical floral |
| Isfarkand | Ormonde Jayne | a cool citrus woody |
| Evernia | Ormonde Jayne | a woody amberesque floral |
| Osmanthe Yunnan | Hermès | a transparent osmanthus tea built on the same central flower |
| Fleur Narcotique | Ex Nihilo | a fruity white floral in a comparable luminous register |
Frequently asked questions
What is Osmanthus by Ormonde Jayne?01
Osmanthus is a crisp citrus floral Eau de Parfum by Ormonde Jayne, the independent British house founded in 2001 in London (United Kingdom). It is built around Japanese osmanthus absolute.
What does Osmanthus smell like?02
It opens on pomelo, davana and pimento, turns to a heart of osmanthus absolute, water lily and sambac jasmine, and dries down to cedarwood, labdanum, musk and vetiver. The impression is crisp, fresh and fruity-floral.
What is the osmanthus flower?03
Osmanthus is a fruity floral white flower from Japan and China, prized in perfumery for its natural apricot and leather facets. It is also widely used in cuisine and tea in Hong Kong and China.
What is the olfactory family of Osmanthus?04
Ormonde Jayne classifies Osmanthus as citrus floral. Its Perfume Profile reads crisp, uplifting and uncomplicated.
Who composed Osmanthus?05
Geza Schoen, the German perfumer, composed Osmanthus for Ormonde Jayne. He signs the house’s Signature fragrances under the creative direction of its founder, Linda Pilkington.
What concentration is Osmanthus?06
Osmanthus is an Eau de Parfum at maximum strength, presented in an 88 ml / 2.97 fl oz US bottle.
When should I wear Osmanthus?07
Osmanthus is a spring and summer scent at heart, where its crisp citrus floral reads at its freshest. It suits daytime, work and warm weather.
Is Osmanthus uplifting?08
Yes. The house gives its Perfume Profile as crisp, uplifting and uncomplicated, and the composition is designed to read like a fresh spring day.
Where is Osmanthus made?09
Ormonde Jayne perfumes are handmade in England by the independent house, owned by founder Linda Pilkington since 2001.
Sources
Published 17 June 2026 · Last fact check: 17 June 2026 (corrections validated by Ormonde Jayne and aligned with ormondejayne.com) · Osmetheca
