Lindens have long finished blooming. They seem so distant, the early summer days when the city was filled with the fragrance so sweet and rich that I felt like I was wading in honey and even when I would return home, the perfume clung to my skin, my hair, my clothes. These days linden trees stand green and splendid, with no trace of blossoms on their branches. And yet, I can still smell the linden fragrance. I only need to ponder about it for a moment to conjure up the heady summer days and the lindens.
I always regret seeing the linden blooming season come to an end. It’s one of the summer highlights for me, especially so given its brief duration. While it lasts, I try to imprint the linden perfume in my memory to keep it as a souvenir for later. The appeal of scents is in their immateriality, their intangibility–and in the way they can be retained in your mind to inspire you later.
Wrapping up these reflections, I wanted to share with you a song I love. It’s called Spring (Vesna), and it’s performed by a Ukrainian band DakhaBrakha, one of the most innovative and original music groups. They use traditional songs in modern arrangements, and “Vesna” captures the season’s moods, from effervescent to mellow.
Photography by Bois de Jasmin
34 Comments
Muriel: Thank you Victoria for sharing this song with us! Lindens were really fantastic this year, I don’t remember them being so “nice smelling” last year!
Their perfume is indeed fantastic! I prefer it when it is still “green”… (after your post on chocolates, I thought that linden would also go well with chocolate 😀 ) My mom usually collects linden blossoms and lets them dry to use them in infusions in the winter, but I’m not a big fan of that dry linden smell… July 19, 2019 at 7:39am
Jillie: A beautiful photo and the song is amazing – so very different and joyous. And hypnotic.
I am so pleased you love the lime/linden flower as this scent means a lot to me – our new house is named after the two linden trees in the garden, and they perfumed the air beautifully a couple of weeks ago. I bought Jo Malone’s French Lime Blossom edt, and Angela Flanders’ Linden Blossom in a diffuser and a liquid soap in the hope of keeping the fragrance with me as we float through the seasons. July 19, 2019 at 9:34am
AndreaR: DakhaBrakha. Wow!!! July 19, 2019 at 9:58am
Nancy A.: Charming. There’s an undertone of melancholia not unlike my love of the sound of Loons but when the instrumentals set in it provides an upbeat mode. When FRESH first launched their single note fragrances they included the delight of Linden. Linden, mimosa they have the same feeling for me. It’s playful. July 19, 2019 at 12:41pm
Silvermoon: Fantastic! Loved the sound of birds, insects, etc at the start and end. Beautiful, just like spring slowly waking up! Thanks for sharing the link to them, Victoria. July 19, 2019 at 12:52pm
Victoria: It’s like the whole season captured in a song. I’m very happy that you liked it. July 19, 2019 at 3:14pm
Marsi: My favorite linden scent is called No. 10 Linde Berlin, by Frau Tonis Parfums. I bought it at the Frau Tonis boutique near Checkpoint Charlie one year in May, while the lindens were in full blossom. I only wear this perfume in May. 🙂 July 19, 2019 at 2:45pm
Victoria: I’ve also tried it, and I agree, it’s really well-made. July 19, 2019 at 3:12pm
Matty: A lovely piece of music. Thank you X July 19, 2019 at 3:01pm
Victoria: Happy to share! July 19, 2019 at 3:10pm
Karen A: Not sure what I liked best, the beads, the hats (oh those hats!), the cello with the design, the handwoven band holding the accordian – or just the whole fun thing! Thank you for the link. Wish I had a linden tree or two! July 19, 2019 at 3:03pm
Victoria: A friend of mine makes those necklaces, and if I wear any jewelry, it’s only from her. Yes, they are a total package. Their music is incredible. They do tour a lot in the States, so make sure to check the dates, in case they pass through your town.
Wish I could sending you lindens. July 19, 2019 at 3:09pm
Karen A: Oh man, those necklaces!!!!! Can you share her business’ name? I sent the link to my sister and some friends. Thank you for the heads up on their touring! July 19, 2019 at 3:25pm
Victoria: Prikrasna Maisterniya Makoviya. She sells via her Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/278025102378761/ July 19, 2019 at 3:41pm
Karen A: Oh my my! Crazy gorgeous pieces!!!!! July 19, 2019 at 4:15pm
Victoria: Aren’t they! July 20, 2019 at 7:00am
Silvermoon: Hi Karen,
I loved the skirts (at least the skirt part of their dresses). Beautiful. And the necklaces and earrings were also gorgeous, although the necklaces would not be practical for my work.
Changing topic slightly, just watched the lunar landing (replayed for the fiftieth anniversary today). So amazing still! July 20, 2019 at 3:29am
Victoria: I also like the dresses! July 20, 2019 at 7:03am
Karen A: Not sure if the necklaces are practical for anything other than looking stunning while wearing! There are some beautiful beautiful photos of her necklaces being worn by models in traditional outfits – the headpieces on some are breathtaking! (I’m assuming they are traditional??)
And funny you mention the moon landing – yesterday’s Fresh Air had excerpts of three interviews Terri Gross did with 2 different astronauts and at first I was not really interested but they are so worth listening to! I sat transfixed while listening and can’t wait to listen to the complete interviews. July 20, 2019 at 7:25am
Jennifer Shaw: The music is exceptional! Thank you for sharing it with us. My old favorite Linden scent was the one made by Baudelaire-Provence Sante. But the one I have been reaching for is one by Annick Goutal- Eau Du Ciel. Sadly this one beauty is discontinued as per the Goutal website. July 19, 2019 at 5:56pm
Victoria: I also regret that they’ve axed it. It was so beautiful. July 20, 2019 at 7:01am
Becky D.: That was incredible! Even my dog woke up from her sleep, trying to figure out the source of the bird noises. How incredible! Thanks so much for sharing! July 19, 2019 at 7:26pm
Victoria: I’m so happy that you liked it! And yes, I find this song magical. July 20, 2019 at 7:01am
Tourmaline: Hi Victoria,
Thanks for the link; the birdsong was amazing, and I liked the earrings!
There is a linden tree that branches over into the yard of our unit block. It was in bloom a couple of months ago, and it was lovely to see all the other linden trees in bloom during drives through Brisbane.
With kind regards,
Tourmaline July 20, 2019 at 12:11am
Victoria: Lindens are among the things I like here in Brussels. Our street is lined with them, and they are so tall, so majestic. July 20, 2019 at 7:03am
Tourmaline: Excellent street planning! July 20, 2019 at 9:11pm
Figuier: Thanks you for this, what a lovely piece! Believe it or not I git a massive dose if linden blossom two days ago in a local car park, a huge linden tree in the last heady stages of blooming. I guess Swedish lime tree are a bit behind-hand. July 20, 2019 at 3:39am
Victoria: I also found one late-blooming linden tree the other day, and the scent was so beautiful. I stood under it inhaling the fragrance as if trying to intoxicate myself on it. July 20, 2019 at 7:00am
Silvermoon: Oh my my (as Karen says). Just checked the link. So stunningly beautiful.
I am not on Facebook but could try asking my daughter. Would she send to the UK? And would she be able to respond in English? Sorry to ask you this Victoria. July 20, 2019 at 3:40am
Victoria: I’m sure she can send them anywhere. I’d just write to her. She usually posts every new necklace in her group and it’s on the first come-first serve basis. Either way, her work is stunning. In many of the photos I’ve been posting lately what I wear are her jewelry. July 20, 2019 at 6:58am
Silvermoon: Victoria, I had noticed your necklaces in your recent photos, and wondered where you got them. However, I didn’t think it polite to ask. 😊 so glad to know now. July 20, 2019 at 9:30am
Aurora: This song is a complete auditory experience. How talented they are!
I remember the linden season in Central Park coinciding with the concerts, their scent in the night was magical.
I wear Jo Malone French Lime Blossom which had been in their line-up for so long and then recently discontinued, it seems to be the case with many linden perfumes, d’Orsay Tilleul too, maybe they don’t sell well anymore. July 21, 2019 at 4:15am
Mj: Thank you! July 27, 2019 at 11:03pm
rickyrebarco: Such interesting music! I learn so much from you about world culture, books and music.. The bird sounds were so realistic and fascinating. Thank you so much for sharing. August 24, 2019 at 10:00pm