The Lavender Lover's Handbook: The 100 Most Beautiful and Fragrant Varieties for Growing, Crafting, and Cooking

Bader's encyclopedic encomium to varieties of, and uses for, lavender is missing the fragrance of the plant, but little else. Almost 200 color photos make the case that 100 varieties of lavender%E2%80%94or some fraction thereof%E2%80%94are worth drying, drinking, and dreaming about. Bader explains lavender's characteristics and differences among species in helpful details; there's even a color photo guide to help lavender aficionados parse their purples and violets. Chapters offer recipes and crafts guides; beyond sachets, try lavender syrup or truffles. Lavender can be added to a home-crafted cleaning solution because it has antimicrobial properties. Not everyone can grow every lavender. Gardeners in temperate climates can't use certain species, but every gardener can have a gorgeous scented field of the color purple if they pick the right lavender variety and prune it as it matures. This useful book will suit both novice and experienced gardeners. 190 color photos. (Apr.)