Potpourri

For other uses, seePotpourri (disambiguation).

Not to be confused withPopery.

Potpourri(/ˌpoʊpʊˈriː/POH-puurr-EE) is a mixture of dried, naturally fragrantplantmaterials used to provide a gentle natural scent, commonly in residential settings. It is often placed in a decorative bowl.

Painting of a woman making potpourri byHerbert James Draper,1897

Etymology

The word "potpourri" comes into English from theFrenchwordpot-pourri.The French term has two connotations. It is the French name for aSpanishstew with a wide variety of ingredients calledolla podrida,a specialty of the city ofBurgos.The wordpotin French has the same meaning as it does in English (and asolladoes in Spanish), while the wordpourri,like Spanishpodrida,means "rotten". "Potpourri" is sometimes used as an alternative for "medley".

History

Potpourri vase

Potpourri has been used in rooms since ancient times, in a variety of ways, including just scattering it on the floor. In early 17th-centuryFrance,freshherbsand flowers were gathered—beginning in spring and continuing throughout the summer. The herbs were left for a day or two to become limp, then layered with coarsesea salt.The aging mixture was stirred occasionally as layers were added to it. Often the mixture wouldfermentor even mold as the summer went by. In fall, spices would be added to the unsightly grey mix until a pleasant fragrance was achieved. Then, scent-preserving fixatives (see below) were added. The finished potpourri was set out in special pots with perforated lids to perfume rooms.

Much modern potpourri consists of any decoratively shaped dried plant material (not necessarily from scented plants) with strong natural and syntheticperfumes(and often coloreddyes) added, with the scent often bearing no relation to the plant material used. Sometimes, items that do not originate from plants are mixed in with the potpourri, to give it bulk and to make it more aesthetically pleasing. It is possible to spray scents onto potpourri; however, a fixative is needed so that the scent is absorbed for slow release. Generally,orris rootis used for this purpose.

Lifespan

Dried flowers can last anywhere from two months to 20 years, depending on the chosen blend. Properly made potpourri will last longer when stored in closed containers.

Containers

In ceramics manufacturing, a potpourri vase is specifically designed for holding potpourri. In the traditional designs, a potpourri container is provided with a pierced fitted lid, through which the scent may slowly diffuse. The porcelainSèvres pot-pourri vase in the shape of a shipis one of the most spectacular examples from the 1750s and 1760s;Madame de Pompadourowned three of the twelve examples made, ten of which survived.

Plants used

A dried rose. Dried flowers are a common component of potpourris.

Many plant species are used in potpourri. A 2015 study from theRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kewidentified 455 species used in potpourri from over 100 families,including algae,fungi,andlichens.A few toxic ingredients have been found in fruits such asStrychnos nux-vomica,the strychnine tree. Plant materials used in potpourri include:

• Allspice
• Cedarwood shavings (toxic, a moth repellent)
• Cinnamonbark andcassia bark,which smells like cinnamon, only less potent
• Cloves
• Cypresswood shavings (toxic, another moth repellent)
• Fennelseed
• Incense-cedarwood shavings
• Jasmineflowers and oil
• Jujubeflowers and blooms
• Juniperwood shavings (toxic, a moth repellent)
• Lavenderleaves and flowers
• Lemon balmleaves and flowers
• Lemonpeel
• Marjoramleaves and flowers
• Mignonetteleaves and flowers
• Mintleaves and flowers
• Mugwort(toxic, adds a musky note to the mix, another moth repellent)
• Orangepeel
• Pelargoniumleaves from the scented varieties
• Pinyon pineshavings and cones
• Roseflowers, hips, or oil
• Rosemaryleaves and flowers