The 5 best floral beauty products: From Dior and Penhaligon's to Jo Malone

There are plenty of products that marry practicality with a spritz of scent

Love in White, £28, creedfragrances.co.uk ( )

I'm strangely snobbish when it comes to flowers – although obviously I prefer to call it discerning. I would far prefer to receive a handful of cheap and cheery yellow daffs say, or iris, over a big bouquet of lilies any day of the week.

Turning to the de rigueur hearts and flowers of the big V tomorrow, red roses – even those with long stems and lush, velvety petals – are too obviously "romantic" and impersonal to actually feel special (it's not the thought that counts if you choose the default option). But as a surprise on a random day in November they'd be very welcome. Plus there's the fact that fresh flowers just don't last – surely the physical manifestation of love shouldn't wilt and rot within days?

As such, my gift of choice would have a fresh floral at its heart but be of a far more lasting disposition. That attitude might not scream "romance" to you, but there are plenty of products that marry practicality with a spritz of scent to create something magical indeed.

Diorissimo EDT 100ml

£83, Dior, boots.com

The spring-like freshness of lily-of -the-valley is at the heart of this classic fragrance – an oldie, but still so good.

Artemisia bath oil

£40, penhaligons.com

I adore Penhaligon's bath oils, with their little grosgrain bow ties and old-fashioned glass stoppers. This one boasts notes of violet, lily and cyclamen.

Cleanse & polish hot cloth cleanser with rose & cedrat

£20.75, lizearle.com

A limited edition version of this skin care favourite has a light, heavenly scent and comes with two cleansing cloths.

Love in White

£28, www.creedfragrances.co.uk

White flowers – magnolia, narcissus and white hyacinth – combine with ambergris in the prettiest soap you can imagine.

Wild bluebell body & hand wash

£28, jomalone.co.uk

Evocative of a walk through a field in bloom, there's a vegetal note too, which stops the lingering scent being too sweet.