Looking for the top lavender farms in Ontario? When you think of lavender fields, you’ll likely think of the rolling fields of purple found in Provence, France. However, lavender is grown all over the world, including Ontario, Canada. There are many dedicated lavender farms in the province, which not only grow lavender and produce lavender products, but also welcome tourists to visit with an agro-tourism approach.
Of course, Ontario’s lavender fields only bloom for a few weeks each year, therefore it’s important to time your visit to the province’s farms to coincide with peak bloom, which can vary from farm to farm. It’s important to check in with each farm and book your visit in advance, as well as any private tours.
Beautiful Lavender Farms in Ontario
This guide to Ontario’s lavender includes an introduction to the different types of lavender grown in Ontario, where the farms are located, when the best time of year is to visit (plus lavender festivals you may wish to add to your itinerary), how to visit respectfully without damaging the crops, as well as a list of Ontario’s best lavender farms and other lavender-themed attractions, their backgrounds, and the lavender products they offer.
What is Lavender?
Lavender is a plant native to the Mediterranean but is commonly grown in Ontario, Canada. The plant can grow in “Zone 5”, which means it can survive winter temperatures of -28 degrees Celsius (-20 degrees Fahrenheit), which is a common zone in Ontario.
The name lavender actually comes from the Latin “lavare”, which means “to wash”, which is perhaps why lavender is so often used in soaps and detergents! As well as having a unique fragrance and taste, lavender can act as an insect repellant and can help reduce stress, insomnia, and respiratory problems.
The two main types of lavender grown in Ontario are Lavandula Angustifolia (English lavender) and Lavandula x Intermedia (French lavender, also known as lavandins). Other types of lavender, such as Lavandula Stoechas (Spanish lavender), Lavandula Dentata, and Lavandula Latifolia (spike lavender) are not suited to Ontario’s climate.
Lavandula Angustifolia has a sweeter scent, more impressive flowers, and blooms earlier, in comparison to other types of lavender. It’s used in cooking and fragrance products. Lavandula x Intermedia has a more medicinal scent (due to high camphor content) and is therefore mostly used in personal care products and sachets. It grows faster, the stems are longer, and the scent is more long lasting.
How to Get to the Lavender Farms in Ontario
Although Provence, France, is the most famous lavender destination in the world, Ontario’s lavender fields also make for a picturesque visit. Most of Ontario’s lavender farms can be found in the west of the province, though there are some in Prince Edward County as well. The farms are best explored via car, as the journey between them can be far.
Many of Ontario’s lavender agro-tourism destinations can be found along a route known as “The Purple Road,” which makes for a delicious, fragrant, and picturesque road trip.
When is the best time to visit Ontario’s lavender fields?
The best time to visit Ontario’s lavender farms is late June through July, when the plants are in peak bloom, but in some places, this does extend into early August. The blooms are dependent on altitude and annual weather conditions, such as rainfall and temperature, so timing is not an exact science.
Lavender Festivals
You may want to time your visit with one of these annual lavender festivals, where you can buy locally-made lavender products, and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
LavenderFest
Held on the last weekend in June and the first weekend in July at Boonieheath Estate Lavender and Winery, LavenderFest includes live entertainment, lavender crafts and demonstrations, wagon tours around the farm, wine and cider tasting, as well as local grub.
PEC Lavender Festival
Held on the first two weekends in July at Prince Edward County Lavender, PEC Lavender Festival includes lots of lavender-based activities, including lavender oil demonstrations, plus kids’ entertainment, live music, and local food (the lavender lemonade and lavender ice cream come highly recommended).
How to Respectfully Visit Lavender Farms
Always be respectful when exploring lavender fields. Tread light, walk between the rows of lavender rather than over them (being careful not to tread on the flowers), and never pick any of the lavender. What’s more, be mindful of bees. Bees love lavender, and they’re an integral part of the lavender industry, as they pollinate the blooms.
Top Lavender Farms in Ontario to Visit
1. Apple Hill Lavender
1795 Windham Road 11, Windham Centre, ON N0E 2A0 | Website
Located in Norfolk County, Apple Hill Lavender is a family farm with a legacy spanning 100 years. The on-site apple orchard is a great place for a picnic, especially if that picnic includes lavender products bought at the farm’s Carriage House Boutique, including award-winning lavender vanilla bean ice cream.
The farm is free to visit from May to December, Thursday to Sunday. Lavender plants are available to buy in the spring, while freshly harvested lavender bundles are available in July. The farm is also known for its apples (harvested in the fall) and award-winning handmade porcelain brand, Raging Bowl Pottery.
2. Bonnieheath Estate Lavender and Winery
410 Concession 12 Townsend, Waterford, ON N0E 1Y0 | Website
Another Norfolk County lavender farm, Bonnieheath Estate covers 129 acres, 10 acres of which is dedicated to vineyards, which produce nine grape varieties. The farm grows both French and English lavender, then harvests and distills on-site. Products include natural essential oils and lavender water, which are used to make culinary and body care products. This farm hosts LavenderFest each year.
3. Casa Rusticana Bed & Breakfast
788190 Grey County Rd 13, Clarksburg, ON N0H 1J0 | Website
Casa Rusticana is a guesthouse located in Georgian Bay, county of Grey area. Owners Nicki Smart and Rico Donadio started growing lavender here in 2014. The farm includes a 100-year-old house and six acres of land. Visitors can stay overnight.
4. Kelso Lavender Farm
8649 Appleby Line, Campbellville, ON L0P 1B0 | Website
Situated in Milton, Ontario, Kelso Lavender Farm is a family-run farm established in 2017. The grounds are home to 15,000 lavender plants and counting. Lavender products available to buy on-site include freshly harvested lavender, skincare products, home care products, gift items, and more.
5. Laveanne Lavender Fields
8667 Gilmour Rd, Campbellcroft, ON L0A 1B0 | Website
Laveanne is an artisan lavender grower and producer, which makes a wide range of products from aromatics to culinary items to toiletries. The farm is set next to the Ganaraska Forest, and guests can visit the farm by appointment only, with one-hour time slots that allow visitors to see the lavender bloom in a sustainable way. There’s even a meditation labyrinth of lavender!
6. Lavender-Blu
2375 Bank Rd, Seagrave, ON L0C 1G0 | Website
Seagrave’s Lavender-Blu is comprised of a hobby farm, lavender garden, and lavender artisan studio. Lavender-Blu has been producing handcrafted lavender products since 2007. Owner Ludmila Haynos-Owen hosts workshops in the studio space that use lavender in a wide range of mediums, such as textiles, watercolor, clay, essential oils, and more.
7. The Lavender Farm
769 Drumbo Rd, Ayr, ON N0B 1E0 | Website
The Lavender Farm has been in the Gillies family since 1882 and has been run by Bob and Barb Gillies since 1970. The coupe started with cattle and hogs, but later switched in lavender in 2011, planting varieties such as Grosso, Phenomenal, Hidcote, Munstead, Seal, Sachet, Melissa, and Violet Intrigue. Today, the farm is primarily used as a picturesque wedding venue.
8. Lavender Hives
8499 Goosemarsh Line Grand Bend, ON N0M1T0 | Website
This small lavender and bee farm is located on the banks of Lake Huron. Owners Cathy and Garry Parsons welcome visitors to explore the farm, including attractions such as the on-site living lavender labyrinth. The venue is popular with photography, especially wedding and family photoshoots.
9. NEOB Lavender Boutique
758 Niagara Stone Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0 | Website
Niagara Essential Oils & Blends curates a huge range of lavender products, which are mostly sold online and at stores such as Bracebridge Lavender Boutique, Stratford Lavender Boutique, Elora Lavender Boutique, and Niagara-on-the-Lake Lavender Boutique & Lavender Field, with the latter being their own farm and business base.
10. Prince Edward County Lavender
732 Closson Rd, Hillier, ON K0K 2J0 | Website
Located in Hillier wine country, PEC Lavender is a grower, distiller, and crafter of fine lavender products, as well as other herbs. Visitors can tour the farm itself, as well as visit the boutique, where there are products available for purchase, such as lavender salt, lavender sugar, lavender, herb-infused vinegar, herbal teas, and herb blends. All PEC Lavender’s crops are herbicide- and pesticide-free. This farm hosts the PEC Lavender Festival every July.
11. Purple Hill Lavender Farm
7484 6/7 Sideroad Nottawasaga, Creemore, ON L0M 1G0 | Website
This small, family-run lavender farm is tucked away in Creemore and has been producing lavender for 30 years. The farm products include lavender soy candles, toiletries, beeswax food wraps, essential oils, culinary lavender, and more.
12. Steed & Company Lavender
47589 Sparta Line, Aylmer, ON N5H 2R4 | Website
Run by the Steed family, Steed & Company Lavender Farm in Elgin County is part of a 45-acre horse farm located at the edge of the Carolinian Forest, and is also a designated Area of Natural Special Interest (ANSI), according to the Ministry of Natural Resources. Steed & Company grow different varieties of English lavender.
The motto here is “Discover, Indulge, Escape”. This refers to the wildlife discovery found in the ANSI property, where there is even a pair of nesting bald eagles, the indulgence is found in the handcrafted lavender products, while the escape offered by the beautiful rural respite.
13. Stonewell Lavender Farm
9762 Wellington Rd 42, Erin, ON N0B 1T0 | Website
Stonewall Farm is comprised of a heritage stone farmhouse (which dates back to 1872), a 93-acre farm, lavender fields home to 2,500 plants, and eight beehives. The farm grows lavandin lavender in varieties such as Gros Bleu and Phenomenal. Visitors can explore the farm on a tour, attend workshops on lavender, and stay overnight at the property’s country three-bedroom guesthouse.
14. Terra Lavanda
2873 Dutch Ln, Vineland, ON L0R 2C0 | Website
Terra Lavanda was Niagara’s first lavender farm. Located atop the Niagara Escarpment, the family-owned farm covers hundreds of acres and specializes in organic lavender. Natural lavender products include culinary lavender, essential oil, body lotion, hydrosol (water), sachets, tea, and combination gift sets.
15. Terre Bleu Lavender Farm
2501 25 Side Rd, Campbellville, ON L0P 1B0 | Website
This organic lavender farm is the largest of its kind in Ontario, home to 65,000 lavender plants, plus other herbs and flowers, spread across 200 acres. The grounds include a farm store, essential oil distillery, honey house, equestrian ring, herb bar, outdoor art installations, and a 200-year-old cedar forest.
As the lavender fields cover so much area, they bloom at different times, which means you can visit the farm to see peak bloom over a wider period. The farm is best explored on foot via the Yellow Bench Trail, which winds through the cedar forest and rolling lavender fields to reach the “yellow door” art installation.
The idea for Terre Bleu started when Ian and Isabelle Baird visited a lavender farm in Quebec and envisioned starting their own in rural Milton. The couple are passionate about growing lavender and the farm’s tour includes information on ancient distillation processes, the relationship between lavender and honey bees, as well as the knowledge and conditions needed to grow and maintain lavender.
16. Weir’s Lane Lavender & Apiary
105 King St W, Dundas, ON L9H 1V1 | Website
This Dundas boutique started out life as a working farm in 2008. The farm side has since ceased operations, but the business continues to produce and sell environmentally-friendly, small-batch lavender products. These include body and face products, candles, sleep aids, culinary products, gifts, and even dog products!
Lavender Farms in Ontario Questions
When can I see lavender fields in Ontario?
The best time to visit lavender farms is from June to August, but July is the best month to visit.
How long does lavender bloom in Ontario?
Lavender typically blooms in Ontario from early June to August.
What month does lavender bloom?
There are different types of lavender that have different blooming periods. English lavender typically blooms in the late spring to early summer. If it’s pruned lightly just after its first flowering, it will likely flower again in late summer.
Other things to know about Lavender Farms in Ontario
This list features just a small selection of Ontario’s lavender farms. Did you find this guide to Ontario’s lavender farms helpful in planning a lavender-season trip along The Purple Road? If you’ve visited Ontario’s lavender-growing regions before, do you have any recommendations or suggestions to add? Let us know in the comments below.
If you’re looking for things to do around Toronto then you might enjoy some of these posts:
- Best Hiking Trails in Toronto
- Best Things to do in Niagara Falls
- Fun Things to do in Stratford, Ontario
- Chasing Waterfalls in Grey County
