1.   Although roses are a traditional gift to express feelings, lavender is a rare favorite in demand this year because some domestic growers have closed.

2.   As with vanilla, you want lavender to be an accent flavor, not the entire taste in the mouth.

3.   But French lavender today is big business once again, as public interest booms in herbs and alternative medicine.

4.   Lavender is an evergreen that needs well-drained soil and full sun.

5.   Lavender is the bestseller.

6.   Lavender is in Greenmarkets and on menus all over New York City this summer.

7.   Lavender is part of the Labiatae family, which also counts rosemary, thyme and sage as members.

8.   Make sure the lavender is in the spice and herb section designated for culinary use.

9.   Provence, one of the Lavendin varieties, is also prized for cooking, says grower Gary Meehan, though he says English lavender is a bit sweeter.

10.   Rice was wearing a knit sweater whose lavenders were from the Hapalopilus nidulars and whose nutmeg color was from the Cortinarius cinnamorreus.