On Sunday, June 11, from 1 – 4 at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Drive in Boylston, explore the fascinating and delicious world of basils with Betsy Williams. There are dozens of varieties of culinary basil: basils with huge leaves, basils with tiny leaves, basils from Asia, Italy and Greece, tall elegant basils, purple and variegated basils. There are basils that smell like cinnamon, cloves, lime and lemon: there is even a basil that smells like black walnuts. Learn the long, curious history of basil, its magical and medicinal associations and how it became America’s favorite culinary herb. We’ll smell and nibble different types of basil, discuss its growing requirements, how to use it in the kitchen and ways to preserve it. Students will enjoy a tasting of basil butter, vinegar, sauce and wine. Each person will plant 3 10″ pots of three varieties of basil to take home and enjoy during the warm days of summer.

Please bring an apron and floral scissors to class. Recipe sheets are included. All materials included. $65 for Tower Hill members, $85 for nonmembers.  Register online at www.towerhillbg.org.

Betsy Williams teaches, lectures and writes about living with herbs and flowers. A gardener and herb grower since 1972, Betsy trained as a florist in Boston and England. She combines her floral and gardening skills with an extensive knowledge of history, plant lore and seasonal celebrations. Betsy is the author of several books on the uses and stories of herbs and flowers. She has appeared on the Discovery Channel and greater Boston cable stations as well as local and national radio talk shows. Betsy lectures and teaches locally and nationally.   Image from www.kingbasils.com.