Our farm is moving towards growing probably about 75% English lavender after this season. We were about half and half between English and Intermediate lavender previously. However, our intermediates were hard hit by the winter and not as hardy. I will keep what we have that survived and have babied them back to health, but I will be starting to grow a longer stemmed variety of English lavender soon and we will move to incorporate it more into designs. All our English lavender – Hidcote and Melissa survived quite well despite the harsh winter and cold, wet spring.
Here is the breakdown of color on the two types of lavender I use in my designs:
Intermediate Lavender – Are long-stemmed- (Grosso and Phenomenal) vary in color from purplish blue to soft faded blue to gray-blue. Color is highly dependent upon what is in stock and varies. We do grow our own Grosso and Phenomenal lavender, which tends to be a deeper color than many I have received as supplemental from other farms. I will use our own lavender whenever possible and when in season. However, when our supplies are exhausted we do supplement with lavender from other farms in order to offer floral designs year round. We are a small farm and we cannot possibly grow enough to supply the demands for lavender bouquets and floral designs year round.
While I cannot control the color factor on lavender I receive from other sources, I will use the best blooms and color possible and tend to know which suppliers have the best color/sizes. I am very particular about who I receive supplemental bunches from. It needs to meet a certain standard. Since I work with it daily in designs, I know how sturdy I need it be and the size I prefer. I request pictures before I purchase to see if it will meet my needs. Right before the new harvest can get a little towards slim pickings as many supplies are starting to run out or blooms are more faded . Please be patient while we get our harvest in (usually July for us here in Michigan) and also for our supplemental suppliers to get their harvests ready as well.
Intermediate lavenders are used in oil production for essential oil. As we are a flower farm that grows for cut flowers and floral design, we do not distill oils at this time.
We also use English lavender. English lavender is generally smaller in size and length and has a more delicate look. We also grow our own English lavender and will have it for sale in season but I am usually out of our stock very quickly. English lavender is harvested usually in late June, but I will also get a second harvest in August or even September although not as big. I mostly sell it in small petite bundles and sometimes in larger wedding bouquets. To me it is a more premium lavender. We personally grow a mix of Hidcote – small deep purple flowers – and Melissa, slightly large flowers and lighter true lavender color. I will mix the two together, which makes a unique two-toned bouquet. When I have to supplement lavender from other farms It is usually Munstead or Hidcote, which is the true purple. I do not tend to keep English in year round as supplemental. However, at times I will get it by special request if I am out of my own.
We will start to grow a longer-stemmed version of English Lavender in 2019 and our farm is moving more and more towards English lavender production as it is hardiest for our growing zone and winters. Look for it to start to be available more on our shop and in our designs as we convert more to English lavender. My personal preference is the English lavender so I am excited about moving towards growing more of it.
A good example of different lavenders is our mixed bouquet of English and Grosso bouquet – See picture at top of blog.
