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| Harvesting Lavandula angustifolia "Hidcote", July 2003 Stoney Hollow Lavender Our Lavender gardens were created In Spring 2001. We transformed the site of an old homestead, overgrown with dying poplars, into beautiful gardens. Thyme walkways were created to frame the cedar-lined Lavender beds and a secluded Secret Garden evolved from the remains of an old barn foundation. Stoney Hollow is an small, eco-friendly Lavender farm. Our lavender is grown without the use of herbicides or pesticides and the Lavender flowers are hand-harvested at peak times to retain the highest level of essential oils and colour of the Lavender buds. Our eco-friendly procedures include picking, bundling, drying, stripping and sifting by hand. We ensure that every part of the Lavender we harvest will be used in our products: buds, leaves and stems. Lavandula Angustifolia Royal Velvet, Lavandin Provence and Grosso grow prolifically in our gardens. Lavandin Provence and Grosso have tall elegant stems and large, intensely fragrant bud heads. These are the most popular varieties grown in the south of France for bud and oil production and we are fortunate to have the ideal conditions to successfully grow them in the snow belt of Ontario! Lavandula Angustifolia Royal Velvet is a superb variety that is taller than most English varieties and excellent for culinary use. The buds are deep blue with a sweet, relaxing fragrance. Every July, during our Lavender Harvest , we open our Lavender farm to the public. Our guests are invited to experience "a little piece of Provence" in Ontario. Guests are inspired to try their hand at harvesting Lavender. Strolling along the fragrant Thyme walkways that border the Lavender beds provides a true experience for the senses. We have written articles on Lavender for the Canadian Organic Grower, Organic Earth Magazine, The Curious Daytripper and Dining and the Arts. The Toronto Star, The Hamilton Spectator and several other local papers have showcased our gardens and published some of our unique recipes. Our products may be purchased online (see Ordering Procedures), at our showroom in Burlington, Ontario or at select Retail stores and Gift shows in Ontario. |