Lavender, Sweet Lavender [Paperback]

Judyth A. McLeod (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2000

The heart of every perfect summer is captured in the sweet fragrance of that most nostalgic of all flowers, lavender. And, in this definitive book, the essence of lavender itself is unerringly captured.

Lavender has been interwoven with history for thousands of years and its role in magic, medicine, and myth make fascinating reading. There is an amazing potpourri provided of traditional and innovative culinary, craft and fragrance uses for lavender that will delight and entrance your senses.

Lavender farms from around the world, together with the history of lavender farming, modern lavender farming techniques and oil extraction are described. For the home gardener the author describes in detail and offers designs for a range of exquisite small authentic historical gardens each featuring lavender, together with expert advice on successfully growing this quintessential cottage plant. An extensive and comprehensive botanical monograph on the genus is included.

Illustrated abundantly with photographs gathered world wide, as well as of the author's garden, and with line drawings by the author.

Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Australia; First Edition edition (July 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0731810678
• ISBN-13: 978-0743200653
• ASIN: 0743200659
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,476,459 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I am fascinated by plants (a PhD in plant ecology). With a lifetime passion for history and studies in art and design, this odd mixture gelled into a landscape historian. After being a university lecturer in landscaping and sustainable horticulture, I changed careers and now do the two things I love most, helping run our plant nursery Honeysuckle Cottage in the Blue Mountains behind Sydney, devoted to herbs, heritage roses and antique plants, and writing books and magazine articles. I began as a professional writer at fifteen but for too many years writing was relegated to after 10 pm at night and often reluctantly finished at dawn.

My books include titles such as 'Lavender Sweet Lavender', 'In A Unicorn's Garden: Recreating the mystery and magic of medieval gardens' (2008), 'The Atlas of Legendary Lands' (2009), 'Botanica's Organic Gardening', 'Organic At Home', 'Heritage Gardening', 'Our Heritage of Old Roses', 'Natural Health and Beauty with Australian Plants', 'The Book of Lavender' and 'Country Thyme'. I was also a major contributor to and/or consultant editor for books such as 'What Rose Is That?', 'Flora The Gardener's Bible', 'The Complete Book of Herbs', 'Grow Your Own Fruit and Vegetables', 'Herbaceous', and 'Roses'. I have written for most Australian magazines in the fields of gardens/herbs/natural health as well as travel and food, and for ten years was the editor of the international magazine 'The Cottager' devoted to cottage gardens, their plants and crafts.

I live on a country property high up on a mountain with wonderful views that stretch forever, surrounded by semi-rainforest, gardens and bellbirds, in a much too tiny cottage which I share with my horticultural photographer husband who has contributed to the beauty of many books including mine, and two rather elderly pussies. My latest book Vampires: A little bite of history' is in printing at the moment (Murdoch Books), an exploration of the universal belief in vampires throughout time. Currently i'm working on 'The Medieval Book of Everything' a history of the medieval world of Europe through the eyes of ordinary people, also to be published by Murdoch Books. I also work as a consultant editor for a number of publishers. There are two further books currently being written, one on the dark side of gardening (including all things Gothic), the other on tropical gardens. I love cooking, Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Asian Fusion are favourite styles), preferably with a glass of good red wine in one hand. We have always travelled very widely, always with the next book in mind, me with notebook and trusty recorder, the Photographer-in-Chief with his trusted Nikons and lenses. Favourite place on the planet and most often visited - the lavender fields and towns around Mont Ventoux in Provence in summertime. If you can find it, the second edition of Lavender Sweet Lavender (2000 - the previous edition went into five printings) contains masses on lavender farms around the world and particularly in Provence.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the most authorative and comprehensive on all aspects, February 13, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Lavender Sweet Lavender (Paperback)

Covers all aspects of lavender culture,taxonomy,uses,extraction,farming ,world-wide.Plenty of illustrations.Really in depth,very readable,all you ever wanted to know about lavender.Great for any lover of herbs with lots of recipes and lavender products in addition.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous new revision, February 19, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Lavender, Sweet Lavender (Paperback)

I have just read the new revised edition of Lavender Sweet Lavender (released for the millenium).It has been much enlarged with new large sections on lavender growing,farms and products in Provence and in the USA, as well as a masterly and comprehensive overview of the genus,its species and hundreds of varieties. The photography is wonderful (all new and from around the world) and the writing is just so evocative.I agree with a previous reviewer.It remains the most authorative text on the subject,but it is also a book to dream over and to read many times.