Lavender blooming in northern Thailand

© Tanat Loungtip/Alamy

Lavender blooming in northern Thailand

Lavender generally thrives in temperate climates and does especially well in the Mediterranean region, where most strains of the plant originate. It’s not often seen in the humid tropical warmth of Thailand. But go far enough north toward Thailand’s border with Myanmar and the weather up in the hills is cool enough to support lavender. There’s even a government-sanctioned space, Angkhang Royal Agricultural Station, where farmers tend to crops not generally found in Southeast Asia, including lavender, but also fruits like apples and pears.