Book excerpt: With an almost alchemical power, herbs can provide flavours and scents unlike any other. Growing the source of these intense flavours can now be a reality for gardeners and food enthusiasts with any size of garden, from an acre to a window box. Culinary herbs can be used as seeds, flowers or leaves; cooked and eaten themselves or used to infuse a dish or drink. They are now being used in artisan gin, ice cubes and cocktail syrups; in foraged dishes and kitchen gardens and often the only way to capture that elusive flavour is to have home-grown, freshly harvested herbs on your doorstep. Find out how to develop your own herb garden and grow herbs in all situations. Comprehensive information is given on how to plant, propagate, harvest and use herbs in the most interesting ways from planting a herb roof to making herbal oils. The 75 most exciting herbs are also identified, illustrated and their uses explained. Underpinned by the authority of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the expertise of Holly Farrell, The Kew Gardener’s Guide to Growing Herbs combines practical elements with inspiration and beauty.