The Vilmorins, though only producers and merchants in the 18th-century Paris marketplace, contributed enormously to the botanical and agronomic knowledge with a series of publications detailing key botanical and horticultural information.

For cooks and gardeners, an updated guide to over 300 plants by the four-time IACP Cookbook Award winner: “Sure to be a modern classic.” —Jere Gettle, founder, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds Heirloom Vegetable Gardening has always been a book for gardeners and cooks interested in unique flavors, colors, and history in their produce. This updated edition has been improved throughout with growing zones, advice, and new plant entries. Line art has been replaced with lush, full-color photography. Yet at the core, this book delivers on the same promise it made two decades ago: It’s a comprehensive guide based on meticulous first-person research to these 300+ plants, making it a book to come back to season after season. “A leading culinary historian.” —The New York Times “This encyclopedia is bound to become the seed-saver’s bible, a holy book for gardeners intent on doing their part to combat the genetic winnowing brought about by industrial agriculture.” —Publishers Weekly

Pierre-Joseph Redouté (1759-1840) is the undisputed master of botanical art. His illustrations of flowers occupy the intersection of art and science, and they represent a unique fusion of botanical precision with artistic elegance. This richly illustrated publication presents a wide selection of Redouté's books, drawings and watercolours. Several short essays by Dutch and French specialists deal with different aspects of his art. As court artist to Queen Marie-Antoinette and Empress Joséphine, Redouté drew extraordinary flowers and plants from the Jardin des plantes and the gardens of Malmaison, which made him the darling of Parisian society. Napoleon Bonaparte presented his books as gifts to the crowned heads of Europe, and his pictures illustrated the works of the most eminent scientists of his day. His most famous books, 'Les Liliacées' and 'Les Roses', are among the milestones of botanical literature. Exhibition: Teylers Museum, Haarlem, the Netherlands (19.1.-5.5.2013).