Gardenia So Sweet

When I was a young girl all the women wore beautiful gardenia flowers in their hair. At luaus, picnics, to church; the creamy sweet fragrance was one I came to easily recognize.

The plant itself is quite striking; a bush of dark, glossy green leaves frame the delicate white gardenia flower. You can still find gardenia plants in many a garden in Hawai’i. The gardenia plant likes a well drain garden bed; sandy soil works well.

Do you know that Hawai’i has their own gardenia species? The nānū gardenia is endemic to our state. A wild growing nānū gardenia plant has a canopy spread of up to fifteen feet. You could easily tell the difference by the shape of its flowers. The nānū gardenia is also called by its Tahitian name of tiare. They are harder and harder find in the wild but is easy to grow in Hawai’i’s climate.

The gardenia fragrance is now used worldwide in the most exclusive perfumes. Chanel, Gucci even the Kim Kardashian line lists the gardenia as an included fragrance.

And guess what?! We too offer a variety of gardenia products right here on Maui (woot!). We carry two different gardenia fragrances in a variety of products (double woot!). Indulge yourself in our lotions, glycerin soaps, shampoo, body wash and yes even our own Island Essence gardenia cologne.

For a limited time only a 15% discount will be offered on all of our gardenia creations. Use the discount code: anty to get this special markdown. Made in Maui and15% off…..gardenia lovers what are you waiting for!

p.s. don’t forget to breathe (your favorite scent!),

Anty Kalei