Nowadays, we often associate perfume with bottles of essential oils produced through chemical manufacturing processes. This garden serves as a reminder that scent originates in botany and pays tribute to nature's extraordinary sensory power.
Imaginarily set in the Cotswolds, the Perfume Pavilion Feature Garden, designed by Liz Nicholson, Freddie Gibbs, Ruby Simpson and Dean Parsons offers a myriad of fragrances. From the soothing essential oils of Lavandula and the heady and nostalgic aroma of Lonicera (honeysuckle), to the intoxicating punch of Daphne and the summery sweetness of Phlox, this space is immersed in scent. Two pavilions take centre stage, revealing a secret of the perfume world: the importance of foliage. Here, a display demonstrates how geranium leaves - not its flowers - provide that iconic, fresh smell we all know and love.
Beyond its olfactory appeal, the garden is designed as a full sensory experience, inviting visitors to hear the rustle of leaves, taste Origanum vulgare (oregano) or Thymus vulgaris (common thyme) and engage in a visual feast of mauves and dusty pinks, cool greys and deep greens. It seeks to engage far beyond the eye, aiming to lift the mood of passers-by and reminding us of the real significance of nature.
