Drawn to the extensive breadth of fragrances in their leaves, the beauty of the plants and their healing properties, Catherine Kidston Padgham MBE established C.Atherley – specialising in natural body care with products made only from distinctive pelargonium fragrances.
The concept behind C.Atherley is that each fragrance matches back to a particular plant, ‘from greenhouse to bottle’. The first scent, stems from the Radens variety, which became Geranium No.1 and Geranium No. 2 is produced from the Tomentosum geranium.
Formulated and bottled in the countryside, the origins of the company are set in the Cotswolds. Products are produced in small batches for optimum freshness, while the fragrance is developed by a master perfumer in nearby Somerset.
In May, the company launched Geranium No.3, a new leafy citrus fragrance that captures the sherbet lemon scent of the Mabel Grey geranium – and reportedly even keeps summer bugs at bay. Geranium No.3 is a 100% natural blend of essential oils with key notes of grapefruit and sweet marjoram. The collection includes a candle and hand cream.
Mabel Grey is one of the strongest of all the lemon scented, Pelargoniums. The tall upright plant, with pointed roughly textured leaves and clusters of mauve flowers, was introduced in 1962 by Lady Baring of Government House in Kenya, named for her mother, Countess Mabel De Grey.
Pellymania
In celebration of the ‘Pellymania’, the growing community of pelargonium fans, C.Atherley will be hosting a series of collaborative events, to showcase the new fragrance in May and June:
- Tavola by Skye McAlpine Belgravia Pop-Up x C.Atherley, 3rd of May – 7th of June. Cookery author Skye McAlpine launches scented, curated pop-up at 48 Elizabeth Street, featuring her table wear.
- C.Atherley Connaught Village x Fibrex Nurseries, 13th – 15th of May. Courtesy of Fibrex, the specialist pelargonium nursery, a range of pelargoniums will be available for sale.
- Alitex x C.Atherley RHS Chelsea Flower Show, 20th -14th of May. Visitors can experience the fragrant Alitex glasshouses at RHS Chelsea, surrounded by geraniums supplied by Fibrex Nurseries.
- Thyme x Pellymania geranium sale in support of Horatio’s Garden, 23rd of May (10am-5pm). Thyme, the Cotswold boutique hotel is collaborating with C.Atherley founder Cath Kidston and Fibrex Nurseries in a charity geranium sale. The event will feature stalls with pelargoniums sourced from a variety of gardens and is in aid of Horatio’s Garden, the charity that nurtures those suffering from spinal injuries.
- Parnham Park x C. Atherley lunch on the 12th of June. Sophie Perkins, co-owner of the Dorset stately home, will host a three-course where Cath Kidston will talk about her creative journey. The royal florist and entrepreneur-turned-business coach Philippa Craddock, will also be speaking at the event.
