I am so proud to announce the release of an extraordinary scent. An evocative, botanical, and gender-inclusive scent to mark the 350th anniversary of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. A tribute to the work and passion, enlightened spirit and dedication of botanists, horticulturists, scientists and plant hunters of the past, present and future. The result is ‘Kingdom Botanica’ - an incredible, bio-diverse, evocative perfume. A project and resulting scent that is so uplifting, providing a positive story about nature in these challenging times.

We carefully selected only the finest sustainable and ethical ingredients and the scent profile of this complex perfume has been meticulously researched in partnership with the research institute’s Archivists and Science team. It tells a story in scent of the huge diversity of the botanical world and of the guardianship role played by the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in global research and conservation.

With over 35 natural and sustainable aromatic ingredients, the Kingdom Botanica scent is transporting, evocative and complex, with notes inspired by flora and woods from some of the institute’s key regions of work, on Asia, South America and the Middle East. It is inspired by vibrant herbaceous botanicals and spices from around the world; deep dramatic woods, including majestic redwoods, Sequoiadendron, one of the best-loved conifers.

Providing cutting-edge, innovative and influential scientific research and horticulture since the 17th century, working with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh has been the project of a lifetime. We set out to create a perfume that celebrates biodiversity and the role this organisation has and is contributing to global conservation and research. This is quite a fragrance brief!

I started working with Leonie Paterson, in the Garden’s Archives. We delved into the amazing collection of plant discoveries from prolific Scottish botanists such as George Forrest, Sibbald, Martin, Douglas, Balfour, Sutherland and Fortune. Then, we took to the Herbarium and Garden investigating the preserved and living collections with botanist Dr Gregory Kenicer.

Working with this incredible team has been an inspiration. From investigating the spectacular and globally significant plant collection – the outdoor Living Collection and Glasshouses, to exploring the jewels indoors in the Herbarium, Archives and science labs, rarely seen by visitors. It has all been a hugely memorable and profound experience. We are all very proud that the collective result is a scent that evokes the beauty and complexity of biodiversity.

We delved into every aspect of the RBGE history, research and the sheer diversity of plants with which they work.  Translating this diverse work into a perfume was a revelation – it’s like a kind of alchemy – a real blend of science and art to produce a fragrance that celebrates the rich and vibrant botanical world. 

There are notes that tell the stories of the Centre for Middle Eastern Plants, International Conifer Conservation Project and from Nepal and China. Also a nod to the rhododendron conservation, the research on gingers and even the students’ Demonstration Garden plots and community engagement. This also gives a great geographical and botanical range of plants.

Profits from sales of Kingdom Botanica will go towards vital biodiversity research at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in the face of climate change.

Creative Botanical photography by Phoebe Grigor.

Perfume Bottle image by The Render Studio.