What's blooming at bittersweet

Earlier this spring, I purchased a new Gardenia plant online. What intrigued me most about this particular variety was that it’s considered hardy down to zero degrees. A cold-resistant gardenia? I was fascinated.

While walking through the gardens recently, I noticed it had blooms on it. What a treat! Have you ever sniffed a real gardenia bloom? Nothing quite compares. Plumeria, tuberose, and jasmine come close, but gardenia carries a fragrance all its own — rich, creamy, soft, and unforgettable.

In the soap-making world, it’s nearly impossible to truly reproduce. Of course, you can scent soap with a gardenia fragrance oil, but smelling the actual bloom nestled among those glossy, waxy green leaves is beyond comparison. At least that’s what I think.

Over the years, I’ve also grown plumeria, tuberose, and jasmine — all considered tropical flowering plants — which is why I was so surprised to learn that growers had developed a hardy gardenia variety. This one is called “Pillow Talk,” and it’s rated hardy to zero degrees.

Another longtime favorite in my gardens is the Friendship Plant, also known by many as the Money Plant. After its clusters of white blooms fade, translucent seed pods begin to form. You’ve probably seen those pods in dried floral arrangements. I use them often in my home décor.

You have to be patient with them. The plant is a biennial, meaning it blooms every other year. But once the pods appear and dry, they become one of the prettiest natural arrangements. I currently have a bouquet of dried seed pods resting in a vase in my home, and every time I pass by them, I’m reminded how beautiful simple things can be. 🤍

In the studio, I’m excited to be bringing back two very popular soaps — Persimmon and Patchouli.

Persimmon has become quite an interesting scent over the past few years. It’s definitely trending, and as often happens, that popularity has driven the cost of the essential oil upward. It was actually a challenge tracking down the right oil for this soap, but I knew I wanted to bring it back.

I’m also bringing back Patchouli, which has long been a favorite of this soap maker. The price of true patchouli essential oil has nearly tripled, and that’s important to mention because many soap companies choose to use fragrance oils instead. But if you’ve ever smelled real patchouli growing happily amongst the mints, you know there’s simply no comparison.

I’m incredibly particular about the oils that go into our soaps, especially Patchouli. Authentic ingredients matter to me, and I believe you can tell the difference.

Because of the rising cost of these pure oils, we will need to adjust the pricing slightly to accommodate the increase, but both soaps will be returning soon.

And if history tells me anything, they probably won’t stay on the shelves for very long.

I’m looking forward to sharing both of these beautiful soaps with you once again. 🤍

Warm Regards, Jill McDowell