Lavender: Lavender in Nature and Garden, Home and Kitchen

Appreciated and sought after for centuries, lavender has been extolled in poetry, prose and song. Izaak Walton remarked upon an honest ale-house where there was "lavender in the windows," and we tap our feet to `Lavender's blue dilly dilly, lavender's green" from an anonymous nursery rhyme. The lavender of Provence is what initially comes to mind, especially lavender blue which is known as Provencal gold. Yet today lavender is cultivated throughout the world - in Wales, Bulgaria, and even Japan and China. With its incomparable fragrance the appeal of lavender is universal. Now, thanks to the intriguing prose of Anne Simonet-Avril and the luscious photographs of Sophie Boussahba, we find a history of this vaunted plant in Lavender: In Nature and Garden, Home and Kitchen. We learn that lavender was not cultivated until the beginning of the 20th century. Prior to that it grew as a mountain crop and was harvested after wheat. But, with the burgeoning perfume industry in Grasse all of this changed. The author traces the growth of the perfume industry and how it has literally changed the face of Provence. Today lavender is found in the bottles of the most renowned perfume houses, is an important aromatherapy oil, as well as a complement to favorite dishes. (Some 30 recipes are offered). Also included in the text is a list of everything pertaining to lavender, gardens to visit, festivals here and abroad and restaurants that feature lavender menus. Enjoy! - Gail Cooke