Wildflower field at Lavender Rose Farms, Spring 2019
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The lavender field at Lavender Rose Farms LLC
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ABOUT THE FARM
Lavender Rose Farms is a non-traditional lavender and flower farm. We are open only by appointment - not open to public except by appointment for pick up of products and special events. We have chosen to keep our property and farm private for a number of reasons. First, we are in a semi-rural area (across from Munson Park) with neighbors on either side". Many people are not aware there are country estates with acreage that border the River Raisin in West Monroe/Frenchtown as the river winds close to the road in many places. Our farmette sits on two-and-quarter acres. For our families privacy we have decided not to be lavender farm destination. Instead we grow our lavender, flowers, and herbs to supply our own products. Our lavender in particular is used to create our lovely floral designs for weddings and home decor.
How we began - Our little lavender farm originated in 2013 as a small backyard farm in Riverview, Michigan. I grew lavender for my own enjoyment and began making products and floral design with it. In 2014, we relocated to Marquette, Michigan for work and continued to grow lavender and create lavender products. We relocated back to Southeastern Michigan in 2016 and purchased our present property where we expanded on our lavender growing and began to grow other flower, herbs, and started our Monarch Waystation.
About the Property/History - The back of our property is along the River Raisin to which we have river access for fishing and canoeing. The river was named by the French for the wild grapes that grew along the banks in abundance. We still have wild grapes growing on our property today along the banks of the river. Our property is scenic and park-like and was part of the Knapp farm (est.1860). Our barn was a structure on the Knapp farm that was used for grain storage.
Our property sits on an old French ribbon/strip farm plot. The original French and French Canadian settlers in Monroe County divided land using a traditional system of parceling property into long, narrow lots, each of which had frontage on the river, which was the main source of water, transportation, commerce, and communication. (Monroe County Parks, Trails, and Recreation page 17).
The Lavender Field: We have over 300 lavender plants of lavender in multiple different varieties. We currently grow Grosso, Phenomenal, Hidcote, Munstead, Melissa, and Folgate and Royal Velvet coming soon. In 2019, our fields (along with most other farmers fields in the Midwest) took a blow. We lost about a quarter of our plants due to the polar vortex in the winter accompanied by a very wet spring/early summer. We are in the process of replanting. We will be replacing most of the Grosso/Phenomenal we lost with Royal Velvet English lavender. Our English lavender all survived intact so hence the change over to predominantly English varieties. They are hardier for our cold Michigan winters.
About the Monarch Waystation Conservation Area: In 2018, our wildflower fields were registered nationally as a Monarch Waystation Butterfly Habitat. Our Waystation number is 21716. Monarch Waystations provide milkweed, nectar plants, and shelter throughout the Monarch butterflies annual cycle of reproduction and migration. We believe in conservation of nature and our plans are to continue to expand our Monarch butterfly gardens. Our Monarch station and lavender fields also attracts bees, other butterflies, and wildlife. We have planted butterfly weed and milkweed this year in addition to nectar flowers.
Emma' s Fairy Homes and Gardens: We started making little fairy and gnome homes on trees throughout our property. We originally did this to the delight of our granddaughter. Right now we have three little homes with more coming. We purchase our wood doors, windows, and other accessories from a gentleman in Nova Scotia who handcrafts each piece.
Black Walnut Trees: Our property has an abundance of black walnut trees. We collected the fallen nuts in the fall and sell them to a Hammonds Black Walnut Company, which specializes in black walnut products. We also collect the wild grapes in fall to make wild grape jelly.
We are open by appointment for local pick up of orders. Please fill out our contact form or email us at elaine@lavenderrosefarms.com
How we began - Our little lavender farm originated in 2013 as a small backyard farm in Riverview, Michigan. I grew lavender for my own enjoyment and began making products and floral design with it. In 2014, we relocated to Marquette, Michigan for work and continued to grow lavender and create lavender products. We relocated back to Southeastern Michigan in 2016 and purchased our present property where we expanded on our lavender growing and began to grow other flower, herbs, and started our Monarch Waystation.
About the Property/History - The back of our property is along the River Raisin to which we have river access for fishing and canoeing. The river was named by the French for the wild grapes that grew along the banks in abundance. We still have wild grapes growing on our property today along the banks of the river. Our property is scenic and park-like and was part of the Knapp farm (est.1860). Our barn was a structure on the Knapp farm that was used for grain storage.
Our property sits on an old French ribbon/strip farm plot. The original French and French Canadian settlers in Monroe County divided land using a traditional system of parceling property into long, narrow lots, each of which had frontage on the river, which was the main source of water, transportation, commerce, and communication. (Monroe County Parks, Trails, and Recreation page 17).
The Lavender Field: We have over 300 lavender plants of lavender in multiple different varieties. We currently grow Grosso, Phenomenal, Hidcote, Munstead, Melissa, and Folgate and Royal Velvet coming soon. In 2019, our fields (along with most other farmers fields in the Midwest) took a blow. We lost about a quarter of our plants due to the polar vortex in the winter accompanied by a very wet spring/early summer. We are in the process of replanting. We will be replacing most of the Grosso/Phenomenal we lost with Royal Velvet English lavender. Our English lavender all survived intact so hence the change over to predominantly English varieties. They are hardier for our cold Michigan winters.
About the Monarch Waystation Conservation Area: In 2018, our wildflower fields were registered nationally as a Monarch Waystation Butterfly Habitat. Our Waystation number is 21716. Monarch Waystations provide milkweed, nectar plants, and shelter throughout the Monarch butterflies annual cycle of reproduction and migration. We believe in conservation of nature and our plans are to continue to expand our Monarch butterfly gardens. Our Monarch station and lavender fields also attracts bees, other butterflies, and wildlife. We have planted butterfly weed and milkweed this year in addition to nectar flowers.
Emma' s Fairy Homes and Gardens: We started making little fairy and gnome homes on trees throughout our property. We originally did this to the delight of our granddaughter. Right now we have three little homes with more coming. We purchase our wood doors, windows, and other accessories from a gentleman in Nova Scotia who handcrafts each piece.
Black Walnut Trees: Our property has an abundance of black walnut trees. We collected the fallen nuts in the fall and sell them to a Hammonds Black Walnut Company, which specializes in black walnut products. We also collect the wild grapes in fall to make wild grape jelly.
We are open by appointment for local pick up of orders. Please fill out our contact form or email us at elaine@lavenderrosefarms.com
My granddaughter with a bounty of wildflowers from our field
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Wildflower meadow/Monarch Waystation in July 2019
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All images © Lavender Rose Farms LLC