Visit a Lavender Farm or Festival This Season

Visit one of these lavender farms at high season—May and June in California, June and July in the Northwest and mountains—and you might think you're in the south of France, where legendary lavender fields have been cultivated for centuries.

Washington

Pelindaba Lavender Farm – Open daily May–Oct. 33 Hawthorne Lane, Friday Harbor, San Juan Island; www.pelindaba.com or 360/378-4248. Open House: Tours, presentations on cooking, crafts, cultivation. 10–5 Jul 10–11, 2004; free. Favorite: Lavandula x intermedia 'Grosso' for intense fragrance.

Purple Haze Lavender Farm – Farm open daily through Sep 1; 180 Bell Bottom Rd., Sequim. Store open daily through Dec; 127 W. Washington St., Sequim; www.purplehazelavender.com or 360/683-1714. Open House: Part of Sequim Lavender Festival. 10–6 Jul 16–18, 2004; $6 (all farms). Favorite: L. x intermedia 'Hidcote Giant' for fat purple blossoms.

Oregon

Champion Acres Nursery – Open by appointment through Sep. 78693 Cedar Park Rd., Cottage Grove; www.championacres.com or 541/942-7766. Open House: Plant sale, crafts and pruning demos. 9–5 Jul 10–11, 2004; free. Favorite: L. x heterophylla for sweet fragrance and constant bloom.

Sawmill Ballroom Lavender Farm – Thu–Sat through May, Thu–Sun Jun–Aug 15, 2004. 29251 Hamm Rd., Eugene; www.sawmillballroom.com or 541/686-9999. Open House: Food, crafts, growing/pruning classes, tour five plantings. 11–4 Jul 17–18; free. Favorite: L. 'Silver Frost' for silvery foliage and attractive form.

Shooting Star Lavender Farm – Mon–Sat through May. 17676 Beaver Falls Rd., Clatskanie; www.shootingstarlavender.com or 503/728-4236. Open House: Lavender tasting 10–5 Jun 26–27; free. Wreath/wand classes, U-pick 10–5 Jul 31–Aug 1 and Aug 7–8, 2004; free. Favorite: L. angustifolia 'Royal Purple' for deep purple flowers with mellow flavor.

Idaho

Valley View Lavender Farm – Fri–Sat through Dec. 4297 Carter Pack Rd., Buhl; www.valleyviewlavenderfarm.com or 208/543-4283. Open House: Food, vendors, U-pick. 10–7 Jul 10; free. Favorite: L. x intermedia 'Hidcote Giant' for large flower heads.

Northern California

Cache Creek Lavender – Open year-round by appointment. 3430 Madrone St., Rumsey; www.cachecreeklavender.com or 530/796-2239. Open House: Talks on growing/using lavender, U-pick. 9–5 Jun 13, 2004; free. Favorite: Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote' for delicate sweet scent and deep purple flowers.

Healdsburg Lavender Festival – Tastings, seminars, craft/cooking demos, lavender products. 11–4 Jun 19–20, 2004; free. Healdsburg Downtown Plaza, Healdsburg Ave. and Matheson St.; www.healdsburglavenderfestival.com or 707/431-4219.

Matanzas Creek Winery – Open daily year-round. 6097 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa; www.matanzascreek.com or 800/590-6464. Open House: Lavender-enhanced cuisine, wine tasting. 1–4 Jun 26, 2004; $75. Favorite: L. x intermedia 'Grosso' for intense fragrance and dark flower color.

Sonoma Lavender – Open only during open house. 8537 Sonoma Hwy., Kenwood; www.sonomalavender.com or 707/523-4411. Open House: Free seminars on growing, cooking, crafting; U-pick and live plants. 10–4 Jun 12–13, 2004; $5/vehicle. Favorite: L. x intermedia 'Hidcote Giant' for dark flower color and generous plant size.

Southern California

Rusty Acres Herb Farm – Open year-round by appointment. 4233 Rosa Rancho Lane, Fallbrook; www.rustyacres.com or 760/731-7349. Open House: Food, seminars on growing plants and distilling oil. 10–4 Jun 26–27, 2004; free. Favorite: L. angustifolia 'Skylark' for pleasant scent, gorgeous flowers, ease of growing.