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

by Sarah Berringer Bader, Janet Loughrey (Photographs)

With its intoxicating scent, gorgeous wands of purple flowers, and silvery foliage, lavender is one of the most sought-after plants. But the horticultural reasons for choosing lavender go far beyond its beauty. Lavender attracts beneficial insects, requires little water once established, and is deer resistant.

In The Lavender Lover's Handbook, lavender grower Sarah Bader teaches gardeners how they can successfully grow this beloved plant. Featuring the 100 easiest, most stunning lavenders available today, this beginner's guide provides a complete checklist of the color, fragrance, size, and foliage of each plant, in addition to basic pruning, spacing, and planting requirements. The text is rounded out with tips on how to harvest, cook, and craft with this wonderful herb.

Its abundant variety, hardiness, fragrance, and culinary uses make lavender one of the most popular and versatile plants. And now, with this practical and accessible guide in hand, it's easier than ever to grow at home.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Cookbooks, Plants, Nature

192 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2012

Reviews

[Sara Thompson]

I always thought lavender was lavender. I didn’t realize there were hundreds of varieties. I suppose I should have known this since there is no such thing as a singular plant type but it rather surprised me to know that there was so much variety in lavender.
Sarah’s book not only breaks down all the varieties of lavender but helps the reader determine which variety is best for their environment and usage. She starts of discussing soil and planting choices. The book then breaks down the different types of lavender and explains what environments they thrive in. This might actually help me keep a lavender plant this year since I’ve not had luck in getting them to winter over.
Much of the information in this book is about gardening with lavender in mind. However, the last part of the book is on things you can do with lavender. Sarah starts with recipes for cooking with lavender which is growing in popularity. Here in the Pacific Northwest, we already know how lavender can be used in food since lavender festivals have become quite popular here but you don’t see a lot of recipes with so much variation. I like the idea of lavender sugar – what a fun addition to Sunday tea.
The last chapter is crafts and home remedy sort of recipes. I am just fascinated with the number of ideas Sarah has offered. I’m looking forward to spring. I have my variety of lavender all picked out thanks to this book and may have even decided on a spot (at least a ballpark for where to plant the lavender).

[Phyllis]

I absolutely loved The Lavender Lover's Handbook. The photographs are beautiful. It has information on how to grow Lavender, flower and foliage color, bloom frequency and hardiness on 100 varieties. The book includes the author's top picks. She really knows her Lavenders. Also included is a section on cooking with Lavender and crafting. This will definitely be my "go to" book for Lavender. If you love Lavender I highly recommend this book.

[Brenda]

Excellent book on growing lavender. Very good photos of many different species and cultivars with enough information on each to determine which would be best for one's particular needs. Also excellent information on how best to grow and care for the plants. I did not do more than skim the chapters on how to use lavender as an herb, but if I wanted that information, it appeared as informative as the gardening info. Highly recommended for those who wish to add lavender to a garden.

[Suzan]

If you are thinking of starting a lavender garden or just a fan of lavender this book is a must. The book has great photo's if you are trying to decide what kind of lavender you already have. It will help you plant your new plants as well as help you decide what kind will be best for you. Added bonus is the recipes both food and cleaning even skin care. Loved this book.

[Lada]

Good exposition of different varieties. It glosses over the longevity of lavender and when the plants should be replaced (which seems to be the #1 question about lavender in gardening forums), instead saying that proper pruning will keep the lavender "many years." It also doesn't discuss propagating plants by pinning a branch to the soil, which elsewhere is mentioned as a method.

[Liz]

I went to a lavender farm recently and it sparked an interest to learn more on this wonderful herb. So I read this handbook, which equipped me with information on all things lavender. Looking forward to going back to the farm with more knowledge on the different lavender plants, and knowing what to purchase. This book had simple and delicious recipes to infuse lavender into. The author also talked about lavender being a great antibacterial and antiseptic herb, so the lavender oil can be used for cuts, sunburns, help with eczema, dermatitis, athletes foot, and lice, which she explained how to use. I Will be trying out a lovely oat lavender face mask, as well as a lavender-sugar body scrub. The lavender lemonade, lavender infused jam, and the Mediterranean chicken pasta, to name a few recipes that sparked my interest.

[Kissa]

Whether you are a master or novice at growing lavender, this is a great book to look at. The author does a great job presenting details in a simple manner that is understandable on lavender in general and details for specific breeds. The book also features recipes or tutorials on how to use lavender in cooking, craft projects, and household cleaners. All of the photos are stunning and assist with correlating information.

[Alana Cash]

I was quite disappointed by this book because it's been so well reviewed and it turns out to be basically a coffee-table book. Over half the book is taken up with photographs of different types of lavender which is rather useless because so many of them look alike. And so few would be available unless you started ordering online. There is very little information on how to grow and maintain lavender which is far more important. Save you money and look up the information online.

[Rachel]

A Real Keeper

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! Appreciate the extensive details the author provided on different lavender varieties, which which part of spring or summer season it blooms, harvesting, propagating and drying methods. The various recipes and the awesome resources at the end are an additional bonus!

[Amie]

Really informative and the pictures are beautiful.

[Melynda DeCarlo]

Inspired to plant Hidcote, fingers crossed.

[Julia]

Take notes

[Carolyn]

Well, drat. Lavender doesn’t like the soil I have (cough cough Virginia clay) and also grows a lot bigger than I thought. I can probably still have some, but not like I had in mind.

[Amber]

Everything you ever wanted to know about Lavender.

[Laura]

very specific but a good reference on many varieties and specifics around growing and other isuses as well as a range of recpies

[Doreen]

Lot’s of good take aways for craft ideas and recipes. Good info on the types of lavender.

[Theresa Connors]

Concise reference for home gardeners who want to grow lavender. Detailed descriptions of 100 different varieties, growing and propagation tips, and recipes.

[Simona Gianotti]

Altro manuale bellissssssimo sulla lavanda (il mio nuovo amore dopo le rose).
Tanti consigli di coltivazione, idee per sfruttare le proprietà di questa pianta (tisane, impiego in cucina, ecc.) e soprattutto descrizione molto dettagliata di moltissime specie.

[Susan Harrington]

As a lavender grower for more than 10 years, you would think I have all the answers. Not true. This book reminds me of why an investment in additional education gives a return beyond the money. Sarah's book reflects her love of lavender and her generosity in sharing her wealth of knowledge. The bonus in this book is the top 100 varieties. Lists like this make it so much easier to choose the lavender that will work best for your goals for the flowers, whether for crafting or culinary delights.

[Martin]

Very well organized book. Hundred varietes with detailed photos (I didn't found a list like this elsewhere yet). Unfortunately, no varietes I am planning to plant in my zone, but anyway - a good list :-)

Author is not only describing parameters for planting lavenders, but also explaining that parameters and steps. I am missing detailed info about the essential oil, but I undestand that the book is primarily for small gardeners.

[Carmen]

Although I bought this two years ago, I didn't read it until after my trip to the lavender festival in Palisade. The book had a nice mixture of how to grow lavender, identifying different varieties, cooking tips, craft tips and a list of current festivals. I enjoyed reading the part about which lavender grew in which part of the US as Colorado can be a difficult place to garden.

[Mary Lynn]

Fabulous introduction to using lavender in the garden.

[Karen]

Gorgeous book. Will check out again in early spring before I choose new lavender plants.

[Mary]

Spring can't come soon enough!

[Trish]

This was an awesome book. There are a lot of pictures in here. I liked that it has lavender recipes and creations.

[Kat]

One of the most beautiful books I've ever owned. Just looking at the cover relaxes me. The insides are good too, of course.

[Caro]

Beautifully illustrated and well-organized. Yes, 'Grosso' is the best for my climate, and no, now that I've neglected it I can't reshape it and should just start over. Oh, well.

[Seianna]

Lots of good uses for lavender,and good tips on pruning lavender. Made me feel like I was smelling lavender while I was reading it!

[Charmie Shah]

gnngng