Countryside® Herb Farms USA            The ATMOSA Group of Companies Limited, Inc.

 

The Art of Home Fragrance®              

                                                                                                                                                      Established in 1979

 

Organic Herbs, Spices, Oils & Potpourri

Handcrafted in Pennsylvania

Countryside® Herb Farms began more than 40 years ago by entrepreneur and herbalist Joan Marie as a organic herb farm located in Western Pennsylvania.  Countryside's organically-grown produce was enjoyed at gourmet markets, restaurants and health food stores located throughout the tri-state region. 

During the summer months, visitors enjoyed touring the herbal fields and greenhouses, where they could touch, smell and even taste the growing herbs.  After the tour, sampling herbal teas, selecting live herb plants, or a custom-blended potpourri from the company gift shop.  Joan Marie also published a national quarterly newsletter about herbal crafts and made guest appearances on television and radio programs throughout the United States promoting the culinary and medicinal uses of herbs, organic gardening techniques and the art and craft of making potpourri.

In 1979, Joan Marie retired from the herb business, the brand was acquired and reorganized as Countryside Fragrances. Countryside® focused upon decorative home fragrances, especially scented merchandise for gift, cosmetic and perfume companies.  Within a few years the company emerged as the leading global resource of customized and private-label home fragrances.  Countryside® pioneered new packaging and patents. Recent uses for essential oils and aromatic therapies have made the Countryside® ceramic light bulb diffuser more popular now than ever.  Aromatherapy and air care fragrances are in use at hotels, spas, salons, hospitals, assisted-living and medical centers.

Today, Countryside® is manufactured in Pennsylvania and became part of The ATMOSA Group of Companies.  Ever popular, the brand continues prospering at fine gift, luxury specialty boutiques and department stores worldwide as consumers place greater value on the use of natural fragrances in homes and workplaces.  Countryside® products are all about bringing the beauty and balance of nature indoors and back into your life.

WHAT IS DECORATIVE POTPOURRI?

Long before, modern chemical and electrical air fresheners, bouquets of fragrant herbs and flowers were used to revitalize the household atmosphere.  In old stone castles, bouquets of fragrant herbs and flowers were scattered over the floors to counteract the musty odors caused by the lack of ventilation.

Before the days of moth-balls and insect repellents, herbalists concocted mixtures of herbs known to repel insects and moths.  Herbalists discovered that long lasting fragrances could be produced from herbs, flowers and spices, mixed together and aged with fragrant oils.  These mixtures were placed into small bags and hung in wardrobes that later became known as potpourri and sachets.

Herbs had many purposes in early homes; freshening the air, repelling insects, discouraging the musty odor of drawers and closets, encouraging sleep, absorbing cooking odors, soothing infants, flavoring meals and treating most illnesses.

Potpourri was used as room decorations in beautiful glass containers, handcrafted pots, carved wooden boxes and placed upon ceramic dishes so the mixture could be viewed while the fragrance filled the air.  Beautiful embroidered pillows were frequently filled with pleasant smelling herbs and flower mixtures.  Most dressing tables contained a sachet filled with rosebuds and lavender flowers.