Sandra Lawrence

A Magical Guide to Forests is a beautifully illustrated and fascinating exploration of more than fifty of the world's most magical trees, their uses, folklore and history, for nature-loving children aged 8+.

Madame Volare, apothecarist and witch extraordinaire invites you to be her apprentice and learn about the world's most magical trees. For centuries, our ancestors looked to trees not just for shelter but for healing and pure magic. From towering bamboo to sturdy oaks, this is a beautifully illustrated and fascinating exploration of more than fifty of the world's most magical trees, their uses, folklore and history. Respect and marvel at the pure magic of the natural world and how you can harness its power for your own health and happiness.

The magical use of edible plants - from the orchard and vineyard to the fig pit and hedgerow - is a tale as old as time. From Persephone's pomegranates in ancient Greek myth to dragon fruit being born of the mythical creature's fiery breath, and from hazel trees growing at the end of the world to breaking fast with dates, almost every ingredient in an ancient or modern orchard has been said to have powerful properties. Featuring over 60 species, with dozens of fascinating entries from around the world, this informative and entertaining gift book is the latest in Kew's esoteric Witch's Garden series.

Gardens both real and imagined have long captured our imaginations. They are places of mystery and magic, beauty and danger, romance and revelation; writers have used them to reflect longing and create unforgettable moments of drama, escape and wonder. Literary Gardens explores thirty of the most atmospheric and emotionally charged gardens in literature. From TheSecret Garden and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland to Rebecca and The Great Gatsby, these fictional gardens capture the atmosphere and emotion of the stories they belong to. Some feel peaceful or nostalgic, others are rich with mystery or unspoken tension – each is shaped by the characters and moments that are revealed within them. In Literary Gardens, readers will uncover new stories and rediscover old favourites, guided by Sandra Lawrence’s lyrical storytelling and Lucille Clerc’s evocative vision. Literary Gardens is a tribute to the spaces that have stayed with us long after the final page – a perfect gift for yourself, or anyone who has ever wanted to step through the page and into another world.

Madame Volare, apothecarist and witch extraordinaire invites you to be her apprentice and learn about the world's most magical plants. For thousands of years, plants have been used to heal and soothe. Discover the amazing power within a humble leaf, seed, petal and stem, and how our ancestors feared or revered flowers and herbs. From the mandrake that bestows luck to the calming St John's wort, take a fascinating walk through a witch's garden, exploring the uses, folklore and history of over fifty common plants. Respect and marvel at the pure magic of the natural world and how you can harness its power for your own health and happiness.

Learn about 50 of the world's most magical plants. For centuries our ancestors looked to plants not just for food but for healing and pure magic. From the screaming mandrake to calming St John's Wort, A Magical Guide to Plants is a beautifully illustrated and fascinating exploration of more than 50 of the world's most magical plants, their uses, folklore and history.

The ancient Aztecs, the cannabis-smoking farmers of Neolithic China and the Woodstock hippies. Psychoactive plants have been used by different cultures for thousands of years for everything from shamanic rituals to staying awake. From the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and Sandra Lawrence, Psychedelics is a fascinating exploration of the mind-altering plants that for centuries have helped shape the way we see the world. Packed with expert text and stunning botanical illustrations from the Kew archive, this book delves into the folklore, cultural relevance and botanical background of remarkable plants that have long been leveraged to hallucinogenic effect. A gorgeous gifty package, this book is both a beautifully illustrated botanical history and quirky cultural reference for plant lovers everywhere.

Puude ja metsaga on seotud rohkem folkloori, mütoloogiat ja maagiat kui mistahes muu teemaga. Kogu maailmas tuntud kui pimedad ja salapärased kohad, kus nõiad teevad pahandust ja elavad hirmuäratavad olendid, on metsad ka iidse maagia ja kõige lummavamate puuliikidega pühapaigad." Nõiduslik mets" on kaunilt illustreeritud, kaasahaarav reis läbi puude maagilise maailma. Ära on toodud 50 maailma kõige kuninglikumat ja saladuslikumat puud. Alates lehisest ja pühast õlipuust ning lõpetades sanglepa ja elupuuga, süüvib see metsauurimus looduse kõige vägevamate ja nõiduslikemate liikide ajalukku.

There is a whole world of food to discover! What did the ancient Romans snack on? And how has the humble potato shaped history? Will algae burgers be a future fast food? Everywhere on our planet where people can be found, there are different foods that we enjoy, and different ways of preparing and eating them, too. From fruits, vegetables, cheeses and grains to foods of the future, explore the fascinating history behind what we eat. Find out where foods come from, and what we grow, farm, forage and cook, too. Featuring more than 100 mouth-watering dishes and food traditions from every corner of the globe, this book will make you hungry! Bursting with colour and fascinating facts, the World of... series looks at what we have in common, and celebrates our differences.

A romantic journey through forty captivating gardens lost to time. All over the world, once-flourishing horticultural spaces have been abandoned and forgotten. From the once-crumbling grandeur of the Villa d’Este and the magic of the Lost Gardens of Heligan, to the sculptural surrealism of Las Pozas and the colourful rebirth of Le Jardin Majorelle, there are countless gardens around the world with fascinating stories to tell. Author and journalist Sandra Lawrence takes readers on a tour of 40 horticultural gems from around the world that have been lost either through neglect, abandonment or destruction. Many have been consigned to history, never to be seen again, while others have been revived and restored by the care and dedication of new owners and communities. These marvels of horticulture take many forms: stately homes, floating allotments, roof gardens and more. But all of them have one thing in common: the romance of paradise lost. Featuring one bespoke illustration of each garden by renowned artist Lucille Clerc, this book is a written celebration of our love of nature, and the importance of keeping these oases of green alive and well – if not in reality, then at least on the page. These charming gardens are brought back to life, including: The Lost Gardens of Heligan, England Las Pozas, Mexico Le Jardin Majorelle, Morocco The Garden of Dreams, Nepal Villa d’Este, Italy Paleis Het Loo, Netherlands Crowninshield Garden, USA Discover the remarkable stories behind the creation, decline and occasional rebirth of these astonishing spaces, and meet the people and societies that first created and enjoyed them. The perfect gift for garden lovers, armchair travellers and cultural enthusiasts.

There is more folklore, mythology and magic associated with our trees and forests than with any other living things. Known throughout the world as dark and wild places where witches make mischief and eerie creatures dwell, forests are also places of sanctuary for the ancient magic and the most enchanting species of trees. Kew: Witch's Forest is a beautifully illustrated, captivating journey through the magical woodland and its stories, from birch broomsticks and the sacred olive, to alder doorways and the Tree of Life.

'An amazing read! I galloped through it' Lady Antonia Fraser'Lawrence has done an excellent job of recreating this eccentric gardening guru's life' The Times'My pick for gardening book of the year is this page-turning life story of Ellen Willmott' The Sunday Times'Sandra Lawrence tells her story with brio and affection' Daily Mail'Simply brilliant and a joy to read' The English GardenEllen Ann Willmott was a remarkable woman whose achievements in horticulture, botany, landscape architecture, photography and more, should have made her one of the most well-known trailblazers of her age. Yet, both posthumously and within her lifetime, she instead became known as a bitter, cantankerous and eccentric miser, and her reputation has been forever stained by the image of her maliciously seeding other people's gardens with thorns. The beginnings of this prickly myth can be traced back to her conspicuous absence at what should have been the pinnacle of her career: the Royal Horticultural Society's inaugural Victoria Medal of Honour Award ceremony, at which she was due to be one of only two female recipients. Universally interpreted as the rudest of snubs, nobody has ever stopped to question why Ellen wasn't there, or if she was really as difficult and mean as she has been portrayed ever since. Author, Sandra Lawrence, has been granted unparalleled access to her archives, and with it has uncovered the secrets behind this thorniness. This is a book with it all: gossip, sisters, rivalry, squandered inheritance, forbidden love, bad marriages and, at the heart of it all, trailblazing talent.

Learn all about the festivals and folktales which shape cultures around the world in this beautifully illustrated book. Find out where lost loved ones are remembered with paper lanterns and which culture tells the story of Rama and Sita. Discover the origins of Diwali and which US state builds massive sandcastles. This fascinating book celebrates all that makes our brilliant world so special; how we all have similarities and differences; how despite our various cultures and beliefs we are united by storytelling and celebrations. Vibrant artwork from Emma Trithart and Jane Newland perfectly illustrations the rich and unique festivals and myths which are central to many religions, nations and cultures.

Explore the wonderful world of some of the most incredible natural forms on our planet – fungi. At the centre of countless superstitions, folkloric tales and magical beliefs, as well as appearing in recipes and medicines both traditional and modern, mushrooms have incredible powers. Featuring images of over 100 fascinating species, sourced from the archives at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, The Magic of Mushrooms shows that from saving lives to expanding the mind, the potential of these fascinating organisms should not be underestimated.

There is a whole world of food to discover! What did the ancient Romans snack on? And how has the humble potato shaped history? Will algae burgers be a future fast food? Everywhere on our planet where people can be found, there are different foods that we enjoy, and different ways of preparing and eating them, too. From fruits, vegetables, cheeses and grains to foods of the future, explore the fascinating history behind what we eat. Find out where foods come from, and what we grow, farm, forage and cook, too. Featuring more than 100 mouth-watering dishes and food traditions from every corner of the globe, this book will make you hungry! Bursting with colour and fascinating facts, the World of... series looks at what we have in common, and celebrates our differences.

Prantsuse keemik Rene-Maurice Gattefosse põletas 1910. aastal oma kätt, ja otsides midagi, mida sellele panna, märkas lavendliõli. Haav olevat paranenud armi jätmata ja ta jätkas õli kasutamist sõdurite ravimisel esimese maailmasõja ajal. Hiljem hakkas Gattefosse tervendavaid aromaatseid õlisid põhjalikumalt uurima ja pani aluse aroomiteraapiale. Juba aastatuhandeid on tegutsenud teadjanaised, apteekrid, nõiad ja taimetargad, kes kasvatavad taimi nende müütiliste raviomaduste pärast. "Nõiaaed" kirjeldab rohkem kui 50 taime ja nende kasutusvaldkondi läbi ajaloo. Raamatust saate teada, mille ravimiseks on inimesed kasutanud kõrvenõgest, milline halb kuulsus käis kunagi kaasas armastatud maitsetaime peterselliga ja miks suhtuti Euroopas tomatisse algselt kahtlustavalt. Lisaks leiate nõuandeid halva ilma ja murtud südame vastu kuni kurja eest kaitsmise ja surematuse poole püüdlemiseni. Kaunite illustratsioonide, paeluvate Kew' botaanikaaia kogudest pärinevate taimenäidiste ja põnevate faktidega teos haarab endasse nii suured kui väikesed taimehuvilised." Nõiaaed" kergitab saladuseloori sellelt, mis muudab taimetarkuse niivõrd kütkestavaks.