Lotusland’s Lemony Scent

Lotusland, Montecito’s 37-acre botanical paradise, is now even more fragrant than usual!

In collaboration with Heretic Perfume, the estate has launched its second limited-edition organic scent inspired by Ganna Walska, the avant-garde Polish opera singer and designer, and her colorful creation.

More than 90 years ago the opera singer created a line of perfumes in Paris and the latest fragrance Lemon Arbor follows in that tradition.

“It is an enchanting union of organic botanicals and olfactory artistry, meticulously crafted with the reverence for the garden’s legacy and Ganna Walska’s vision,” says Rebecca Anderson, executive director.

The citric fragrance draws its inspiration from Lotusland’s famous Lemon Arbor that was built in the 1920s and was replicated in 1988.

Sprawling Eureka lemons have been trained to grow over the arbor and when in bloom create a euphoric sensory experience signature to the location.

The scent blends uplifting Italian bergamot, lemon zest and orange blossom absolute with cashmere musk of ambrettolide for a clean, alluring scene that energizes and uplifts the mind, body and spirit.

Lotusland and Heretic, a Los Angeles-based company founded by Douglas Little in 2015, have been collaborating since 2021 with the launch of their first signature fragrance Osmanthus, inspired by the estate’s Japanese garden and the Osmanthus fragrans originally planted there by Walska in the 1970s.

Over time, these shrubs have matured into magnificent trees. Tiny blossoms appear in the autumn and the perfume lingers in the garden for months. This beautiful and aromatic blend of bright citrus, creamy florals, and verdant grasses are said to lift the spirit, alleviate feelings of depression and calm the busy mind.

The fragrances are made using pure plant materials, which is the opposite to the way fragrances are typically created.

It is recommended you apply the scent to pulse points, behind the ears – or anywhere you want the fragrance to be discovered – then reapply through the day.

The fragrances are available for $45 in 10ml rollerball bottles in Lotusland’s garden shop and online at www.lotusland.org/visit/shop.