Cursing the Basil & Other Folklore of the Garden

The mania for tulip bulbs that caused a Holland stock market crash, traditions spells and rituals for finding true love, the symbolism of royal wedding bouquets and much more are all described in this exploration into the strange history of many familiar plants.

The fascination of everyday flowers, herbs and spices. Traditional spells and rituals for finding one's true love (red roses meant a handsome husband); the significance in myths of bay leaves, thyme and sage; the mania for tulip bulbs that caused stock markets to crash in Holland; the symbolism of royal wedding bouquets, and much more, are all described in this exploration into the strange history of many familiar plants. An entertaining and often funny book, it casts light on time-honoured uses and popular beliefs-such as that basil would only grow well if cursed and insulted by the gardener.