GERANIUM No.2 by C.Atherley

Autumn can be a bit of strange period for perfume releases, because it’s often seen as a little bit of an in-between season. We’ve just left the sunshine of the summer with its radiant citruses and are transitioning into the cold weather that’s traditionally personified by winter resins. That means this three-month period is one that is usually given over to celebrating crisp autumnal green notes, unless you’re jumping forward early to December. One company that has cleverly combined both of these into a single release is C.Atherley with their new Geranium No.2 scent, and it’s destined to be just as successful as No.1.

C.Atherley is the latest project created by the multi-talented Cath Kidston. Her reputation as a fabric and homeware entrepreneur needs no recapping, but it was unsure whether she would ever launch a new venture when she sold her stake in her original company. As has happened with other “real name” companies, she had to leave hers behind as part of the sale, and so how would anybody know who she was? She cleverly took the surname of her grandmother, Atherley, but added her own initial at the beginning. C.Atherley launched in March 2023, and it was a joy to behold.

The concept of C.Atherley sprang out of Cath’s love of geraniums, which she lovingly grows in the greenhouse of her Gloucestershire home. She had been fascinated with the plant since childhood, particularly loving the variety of scents along with the fact that the aromas were only truly released when you rubbed the leaves between your fingers. It’s a very intimate connection with nature. So, Cath decided to launch a geranium-centric company, and started with Geranium No.1 which took the lemony rose scent of the Radens Pelargonium as its inspiration. Cath Kidston-Padgham was back!

The new scent, Geranium No.2, takes the Tomentosum Pelargonium as the focus this time. More widely known as the peppermint-scented geranium, the aroma of the leaf has again been carefully reconstructed with essential oils to be a true representation of the actual plant. Available as a Room Spray, amongst other things, it’s the ideal choice for some uplifting spritzing at any time of the year, but especially at Christmas. The peppermint quality lends itself perfectly to the seasonal sweets and the green note can either amplify a real tree or add an outdoor quality to an artificial one. It’s time to explore.

Geranium No.2 opens brightly with a rush of the promised peppermint aroma so associated with the Tomentosum Pelargonium, before a touch of coriander arrives with its nutty spice-like edge. You’re then greeted with the green-leafed earthiness that you expect from a “geranium”, but there’s a whisper of pine that adds an uplifting radiance to the scent. The spiciness is continued with a clove and black pepper pairing, so the vibrancy remains present, before a dry cedarwood, reminiscent of childhood pencils, grounds the scent without being overbearing. It’s also worth noting that, throughout the scent, there are repeating glimmers of orange and rose, that always playfully fade before you can lock onto them. Geranium No.2 is a beautiful aroma, and should definitely sit next to the Christmas tree in every home this year.

Geranium No.2 Room Spray is available from the C.Atherley store in London, and also online at c-atherley.com, priced at £35 for 100ml. It’s also available in a full vegan bath and body collection. [Sample provided by the company]