Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – serie

Witch's Garden describes over 50 of the world's most powerful magical plants and their uses, mythical and proven.Wise women, apothecaries, witches, herbalists: whatever you call them, those who use plants for their fabled mystical and healing properties have existed for thousands of years. From the screaming mandrake to calming St John's Wort, and from healing yarrow to poisonous henbane, the history of esoteric species is often as dark and mysterious as the art of herbalism itself. Including tales of remedies for everything from bad weather and broken hearts to protection from evil and achieving immortality, Witch's Garden features exquisite botanical illustrations and fascinating specimens held within the archives of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, while archival images depicting occult practices evoke the bewitching nature of these curious species.

Explore the weird and 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.From fungi that grow after thunderstorms to Central American mushroom cults, from the discovery of penicillin to Roman poison mistresses, and from supernatural mushrooms from space to gods of beer, The Magic of Mushrooms contains dozens of weird and wonderful stories, traditions and fascinating facts told by expert author Sandra Lawrence.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 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.

For centuries we have harnessed the ancient wisdom of botanical healing, with plants used for a multitude of remedies that nurture both body and soul.Kew: The Apothecary's Garden is a fascinating exploration of nature's pharmacy and the healing power of plants, from soothing hops, chamomile and valerian, and invigorating guarana, maca and ginseng, to the infection-fighting turmeric and tea tree and the immunity-boosting turkey tail mushroom. Herbal remedies, natural tinctures, and the historical and botanical background of plants are revealed through expert text and beautiful illustrations from the renowned Kew archive.This curious history of plants that heal describes the incredible properties of over 60 species. Exploring the original folk remedies they inspired and the science behind them, this is the weird and wonderful story of how humans have harnessed nature's apothecary.

For plant-lovers and coloring fans alike, relax and unwind with enchanting, ethereal collages inspired by the Royal Botanic Gardens. With over 50 intricate illustrations and collages based on illustrations from the renowned Kew archive, Kew Imaginarium is designed to inspire relaxation and creativity, capturing the magic and majesty of toadstools, fungi and forest floor wonders.A veritable paradise of coloring, this stunning book is perfect for nature lovers, art enthusiasts and anyone seeking to lose themselves in peace and calm.

The luxurious and evocative scents that have fragranced the world all have their roots firmly in nature. Kew: Fragrance explores the botanical origins of perfume, unveiling the science and secrets behind the most intoxicating ingredients and their journey from bloom to bottle.From lemon, lavender and licorice to cumin, cardamom and cotton flower, Fragrance reveals the alchemy, cultural meaning and plant provenance of 100 key ingredients that make up the most seductive scents. With beautiful botanical illustrations from the Kew archive and expert text, this book is an enchanting exploration of scent and the plant origins of perfume.

"Some plants are inherently rare, while others become rare through our actions."Rare Plants explores what makes the world's most uncommon plants so exceptional, and by what means they have become so scarce. From highlands to jungles, many of our most extraordinary plants are vanishing at shocking rates, and this exquisitely illustrated book explores 40 of these mysterious species.Featuring stunning archive images and expert insight from the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, Rare Plants explores both the beauty and necessity of our endangered plant life.

Take a trip into the world of hallucinogenic plants in this latest addition to Kew's Witch's Garden series. From ancient ayahuasca rituals in the Amazon to substance-fuelled partying in the Summer of Love, psychoactive plants have been used for thousands of years for everything from shamanic ceremonies to staying awake. The Psychedelic Garden is a fascinating exploration of these incredible species that, for centuries, have helped shape the way we see the world. With expert text and gorgeous botanical illustrations from the archives at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, this mind-expanding book delves into the folklore, cultural history and botanical background of these remarkable plants.

A collection of 50 fragrant, floral, fruity and herbal cocktail recipes. From anise to yuzu, the natural world provides an astonishing variety of flavours. Created with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, The Botanical Bar is an eclectic exploration of 50 seasonal ingredients and the cocktails they inspire. Mix your own aromatic blends including new twists, old favourites and refreshing non-alcoholic options - from bay negroni and walnut martini to ginger and honey switchel and muscat grape crush.Recipes include: - Sake and lychee martini- Pineapple tepache- Grapefruit and basil leaf paloma- Mango margarita- Cherry amaretto sour- Muscat grape crush- Tamarind whisky sour- Turmeric gold rush- Horseradish tomatini- Cardamom espresso martini

Queen of the night, Darwin's comet, lady's slipper, little dragon, black chimaera - the otherworldly names of orchid species are as beautiful as these sought-after flowers themselves. From flamboyant and colourful to strange and understated, and from alpine meadows to cloud forests, the orchid's variety and range is unparallelled - and has made it an object of obsession to plant collectors for centuries. With over 250 stunning botanical illustrations and fascinating documents from the archives at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, The Orchid explores 40 different varieties of this evocative and elusive flower.

Queen of the night, Darwin's comet, lady's slipper, little dragon, black chimaera - the otherworldly names of orchid species are as beautiful as these sought-after flowers themselves.From flamboyant and colourful to strange and understated, and from alpine meadows to cloud forests, the orchid's variety and range is unparallelled - and has made it an object of obsession to plant collectors for centuries. With over 250 stunning botanical illustrations and fascinating documents from the archives at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, The Orchid explores 40 different varieties of this evocative and elusive flower.

For plant-lovers and coloring fans alike, relax and unwind with enchanting, etherial collages inspired by the Royal Botanic Gardens.With over 50 intricate illustrations and collages based on illustrations from the renowned Kew archive, Kew Imaginarium is designed to inspire relaxation and creativity, capturing the essence of the tropical plant collection at Kew. Featuring detailed outlines of water lilies, orchids, venus flytraps and cacti.A veritable paradise of colouring, this stunning book is perfect for nature lovers, art enthusiasts and anyone seeking to lose themselves in peace and calm.

Blending the art of baking with the power of plants, The Botanical Bakery is a unique collection of recipes where ingredients take centre stage.Compiled by expert food writer Jenny Linford and created with the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, this stunning cookbook celebrates the natural riches of the botanical world with aromatic spices, fragrant herbs, sweet-tasting fruits, crunchy nuts, and flavourful vegetables and fungi at the heart of every bake.From squidgy brownies, buttery flapjacks and double-baked biscotti to crumbly shortbread, cloud-like choux puffs and earthy pies, The Botanical Bakery is packed with deliciously aromatic, delicately spiced and softly fragranced suggestions alongside food photographs and illustrations from the renowned Kew archive.Featuring:Tonka Bean BrownieBay Leaf Custard PieBlackberry, Plum and Almond GaletteHazelnut, Chocolate and Cinnamon PalmiersPandan and Pineapple Upside Down CakeLiquorice GingerbreadPistachio RicciarelliJuicy Cherry and Pistachio TartWarming Peppered OatcakesMiso Banana BreadBlueberry and Passionfruit RouladeApricot, Thyme and Kefir Scones Wild Garlic Muffins

What is a perennial plant? What grows in herbaceous borders? Why are fungi not plants? And what would you find growing in a Wardian case?Plant Words is an eclectic collection of 250 botanical terms curated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. This treasury of horticultural terminology will introduce you to terraria, tulip mania and taxonomy, making you an expert in everything from arboreta to the wood-wide web.Describing the meaning, relevance, fascinating background and usage of each term, Plant Words will give you the vocabulary to understand and talk about plants, while sharing fascinating botanical facts and stories and broadening your horticultural knowledge. The perfect gift for connoisseur and beginner botanists alike, Plant Words is beautifully illustrated with over 80 images from Kew's collection.

"Some plants are inherently rare, while others become rare through our actions."Rare Plants explores what makes the world's most uncommon plants so exceptional, and by what means they have become so scarce. From highlands to jungles, many of our most extraordinary plants are vanishing at shocking rates, and this exquisitely illustrated book explores 40 of these mysterious species.Featuring stunning archive images and expert insight from the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, Rare Plants explores both the beauty and necessity of our endangered plant life.