Lavender Valley - Hood River, Oregon

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lavender lotion, lavender hydrosol, lavender plants, lavender bouquets, lavender wands, lavender sachets, lavender gifts, lavender honey, lavender buds

History of Lavender Valley Farm

Lavender Valley Farm is located in the rich and fertile Hood River Valley between two active volcanoes, Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams. Because of the unique micro climate of Hood River Valley, the winter months are not extremely cold and the summer months are dry and warm, making an ideal climate for our lavender. The North Latitude of 43 degrees is approximately the same as that of southern France where lavender is grown commercially. The climate here in Hood River Valley is excellent for lavender production and the essential oil that is derived from our plants is equal to or better than the lavender grown in France, England, or Tasmania.

Our first planting was in the year 2001 and we now have over 10,000 plants in production. Because it is necessary to prune the blossoms from the plant to ensure a strong root structure, our first commercial crop was in the summer of 2004.
We grow 5 different varieties commercially; three (3) lavandula angustifolia and two (2) l. x intermedia (lavandin). The lavandula angustifolia varieties are commonly called pure lavender or English Lavender.

Lavender Valley Farm offers products made from fine English Lavender essential oils as well as the lavandin varieties. We strive to offer lavender products that are produced with the finest of base materials and our top distillate oils. Because our laboratory is situated on our farm, we are constantly able to monitor and improve the quality of our products that we manufacture.

Lavender Valley Farm sells lavender plants to the public and we can ship within the United States. We now have over 60 different varieties of lavender plants and we will strive to increase our cultivars and species until we have a true National Collection of Lavender.

History of Lavender

Lavender is said to enable a person to “contact one’s own soul.” Lavender first grew wild along the Mediterranean and dates back over 2000 years. During the Middle Ages, it was a main ingredient in a concoction know as four thieves vinegar, which was used to combat the plague. During Roman times its leaves and flowers were used to scent their bath water and the name lavender is derived from a Latin word meaning “to wash”. Lavender scented facial soaps have been popular in England and France for centuries. Even during World War 1, some solders were given pouches of lavender seeds to put on wounds to inhibit infections and promote healing.

Lavender grows easily but prefers warm and dry climates. Some of the more popular species include lavandula angustifolia (English), l. dentata (fringed), l. intermedia (lavandin), l. latifolia (spike lavender), l. stoechas (Spanish), and l. viridis (green lavender).