How our Farm got it’s Name

I recently had someone ask me why did we named our farm Lavender “Rose” farms. They didn’t understand the rose part, I imagine, as the lavender is pretty straightforward. The name was inspired by this picture in 2013 for a lavender-infused honey recipe. One of the flavors I was most interested in was lavender and rose petal infused honey. I also thought the name “Lavender Rose” sounded sort of vintage and reminded me of old lace or sort of shabby chic style. I also had a lot of rose bushes in my yard at that time. They had been planted by previous owners of our little suburban house that we lived in around that time.  I cared for the roses lovingly and also dried the petals. 

Also my Dad’s favorite flowers were roses. He also had a rose garden by his deck and he grew them well.  His favorites were the yellow roses.  Dad gave my sister and I both a yellow rose bush the year before he passed away to plant at our homes. Sadly, when I moved to Marquette I took the rose thinking we’d be staying long term.  We moved back down state in December so the rose is still blooming in the great Upper Peninsula for someone else to enjoy I imagine.

Since my dad passed in 2012, I often think of the rose in the name of our farm as sort of a way to honor him and his love of roses.  His mother, my grandmother, also had beautiful rose gardens.  She  had a traditional English garden in her yard that was pretty stunning.  As a child I used to love to walk through her yard and look at all the beautiful beds of flowers.  She could grow anything and I think that is where I inherited my green thumb and love for gardening.

I just recently planted a rose bush (pink) at our new property/farm in Monore.  There was already a beautiful red rose bush on the property.  Since I know where my Dad bought the yellow roses I hope to get replacement for the one I no longer have. Eventually when I get enough roses I plan to make a Memorial Rose Garden to tribute my Dad. 

​My mom (also deceased) loved lilacs and any purple flowers so I recently bought 3 Boomerang Purple Lilacs with her in mind.  The last memorial I’d like to plant is a big Magnolia Tree.  The Magnolia is in memory of my gardening grandmother. She had a giant magnolia tree on her property in a vacant lot she owned next to her house.  She eventually sold the lot and a house was built.  Sadly the tree was lost.  However, it never left my mind.  My sister and I sat in that tree for many pictures as small children.  We had a great time climbing it as well every time we could.  

It’s funny, but I associate people with plants.  Not just as tributes or memorials, but just their personality and which plants they love.  It’s a nice reminder when you see a rose or tree or lilac bush and you think of those you love. 

For my husband, a tree comes to mind and that would be a pine tree.  My husband loves the mountains and pine trees and so when we bought a property for our farm this years we selected one with a lot of pine trees.  Whenever I look at those towering pines of many different varieties I think of him  His name is Jeffrey and there is even a Jeffrey pine. He jokes about that being his tree.

When I think of my oldest son I think of sunflowers.  He always wanted to grow giant sunflowers as a little boy and one year we did just that.  It was as tall as our garage gutters.  He was pretty thrilled with enormity of the sunflower.  My youngest son isn’t as much of an outdoor type,  but he likes roses like his grandfather and his great-grandmother.  

Lastly, when I think of my sister I think of spring and tulips.  She had yellow tulips as I recall at her wedding but she loves all tulips of all colors.  

Do you associate any of your loved ones with certain flowers, plants or trees?