Fab Find of the Week: C.Atherley Geranium No.3
Photo: © Jo Fairley
Live, from the Chelsea Flower Show (see photo, above), we bring you the third in Cath Kidston Padgham’s geranium-tastic collections: Geranium No.3. They’ve become an absolute cult fave of so many people, and really are helping to revive a love of ‘pellies’, as they’re fondly known.
We’ve raved about Geranium No.1 (which was based on the scent of Pelargonium radens). We’ve got the trumpets out again for Geranium No.2, based around Jo’s favourite scented geranium, Pelargonium tomentosum, with its fabulously velvety, almost furry leaves and minty scent. And now we have this newbie, an incredibly lemony scent based on Pelargonium Mabel Grey, another of Cath’s favourite scented ‘pellies.’ The fragrances are all 100% natural, cleverly blended from essential oils to recreate so perfectly the plants that inspired them.
This range debuts with two fragrant products – the most beautiful Candle, poured in Britain (this is an all-British brand), flickering beautifully within a gorgeous green ceramic vessel that would be a great little pot for a mini houseplant, afterwards.
And there’s also a Hand Cream, with the signature softening, nourishing but never-ever sticky texture that we adore. PLUS, alongside it, a gorgeous pouch printed with a pelargonium design from Cath, print-designer extraordinaire.
And here’s a little special story for us. Some years ago, having an Alitex greenhouse herself (Jo’s absolute happy place), and having got to know the couple who run the company, Jo suggested to them that the idea of a scented greenhouse. In January, Nelly Hall from Alitex called Jo up and said, ‘I think it might be the year for that scented greenhouse. Got any ideas…?’
Jo’s own scent memories were kickstarted by her granny rubbing her fingers on a scented geranium and lifting them to her nose – something she’s written about in the past – and so: why not a scented geranium greenhouse…? From there, it was the logical step to see if Cath might want to be involved, and voilà: the greenhouse debuted today, with Cath and Jo ‘in residence’ for press day, and Jo having written a little story about her greenhouse memories, for Alitex.
If you’re at Chelsea this week, do stop by the Alitex stand for a sniff and a wallow in the wonders of geraniums, where the Geranium No.3 collecting is being unveiled.
And whether you are, or not, we predict that with Geranium No.3 – with its sherbet lemony fabulousness – Cath’s going to have another hit on her hands.
Geranium No.3 Hand Cream/£18 for 75ml – buy here
Pelly Zip Purse/£16 – buy here
