7 Carolina lavender farms
April 27, 2023
Looking for lavender: These farms offer pick-your-own experiences, date nights, festivals and more, all within about two hours of Charlotte.
by Vanessa Infanzon
People have benefited from the lavender plant’s medicinal qualities for more than 2,500 years. It’s also been used as a disinfectant, an insecticide and a perfume. The scent of lavender, a member of the mint family, represents romance and calm. “Lavender elicits a sense of peacefulness and tranquility,” says Sandie Dee, owner of Little Big Sky Flowers in Kings Mountain, about 45 minutes west of Charlotte. “I’ve always been drawn to it. It’s one of the best smelling plants in our region. The beauty of it is as captivating as the smell.”
Late May through June provides the best chance to see lavender blooming in the Carolinas. For farms with pick-your-own experiences, Dee recommends arriving early in the morning when it’s cool and the bees are less active, and bringing sharp pruning shears or scissors if the farm doesn’t provide them.
While Little Big Sky Flowers isn’t generally open to the public, the farm is on Cleveland County Arts Council’s annual Garden & Outdoor Living Tour on June 3. As part of this self-guided tour, visitors can wander the 4 acres of blueberries, flowers and lavender and can purchase fresh bouquets. Dee also sells two varieties of lavender — Phenomenal and SuperBlue — at the Mount Holly Farmers Market and the Foothills Farmers’ Market in Shelby.
Searching for lavender blooms and products this season? Try one of these farms, all within driving distance of Charlotte, perfect for a day trip.
photographs courtesy Lucy Mae Lavender Farm
Dallas Lavender Lane Farm
driving distance: 40 minutes
Start the lavender season with the fourth annual Bloom Fest on June 3 and 4. It’s a celebration of the harvest season when the blooms are in full color. Visitors enjoy music, local vendors and Lavender Lemonade Slushies, made with a lemon-lavender simple syrup. Parking is $5 per car, and admission is free.
937 Old Willis School Road, Dallas | dallaslavenderlane.com
Late Bloomers Flower Farm photograph by Stacy Sikes
Late Bloomers Flower Farm
driving distance: 1 hour, 30 minutes
The DIY crowd can pick their own lavender in June at this farm. Late Bloomers, owned by sisters Barbara Cason and Stacy Sikes, focuses on Grosso French lavender, a variety that works well for culinary and aroma purposes. Visitors receive shears and a basket and pay per bundle of lavender (what you can wrap your hand around). The sisters harvest what’s left for lavender and honey soap, lavender-filled bookmarks, sachets and, new this year, a lavender syrup for cocktails, for sale at the field and at Elkin Farmers Market.
1143 Cool Springs Church Rd., Elkin | facebook.com/people/Late-Bloomers-Flower-Farm
Elf Leaf Lavender Farm
driving distance: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Weekends are for picking lavender at Elf Leaf Lavender Farm — scissors and a basket are provided to visitors. Essential oils, lotions and sprays are available in the farm’s store. The farm also carries a selection of lavender-themed pottery by South Carolina and Virginia potters. Try the lavender honey ice cream, made from the farm’s honey, and culinary lavender. On date nights, couples enjoy a picnic basket filled with cheese, crackers and fruit while listening to live music in the lavender field.
141 North Campbell Road, Landrum, S.C. | elfleaffarm.com
photograph courtesy Chestnut Cabin Farm
Chestnut Cabin Lavender Farm
driving distance: under 2 hours
Stop by the Wilkes County Farmers’ Market at the Yadkin Valley Market Place in North Wilkesboro from 7:30 a.m.- noon on Saturdays for lavender products from Chestnut Cabin Lavender Farm. Milton and Louine Teague handmake linen sprays, lotions, sachets, soaps and tea. Bundles of lavender, seven varieties including culinary (English) and French lavender, are also available. Chestnut Cabin is open to the public by appointment only: For a view of the farm’s 2,000 plants, call ahead for details about what’s in bloom and admission costs.
Farmers market address: 812 CBD Loop, North Wilkesboro | 910-258-3227 | chestnutcabinlavenderfarm.square.site
Lavender Oaks Farm
driving distance: 2 hours
For all things lavender, head to the 60-acre Lavender Oaks Farm, which was inspired, in part, by co-owner Karen Macdonald’s visit to lavender fields in Provence, France. Sign up to attend the Lavender Festival on June 4. Pick-your-own begins on June 1 – bring scissors and don’t miss the meditation path through the pasture leading to the lavender fields. A new boutique carries lavender syrups, lavender balsamic vinegar, lavender-infused jams, salts and more. Known as Mrs. Lavender, Macdonald leads “Culinary Lavender Lunch & Learn” four times a year. Guests enjoy Macdonald’s lavender recipes and learn about the farm’s nine varieties of lavender.
3833 Millard Whitley Rd., Chapel Hill | lavenderoaks.farm
photographs of Sunshine Lavender Farm by S.P. Murray
Twin Creek Lavender Farm
driving distance: 2 hours
Visit Twin Creek’s General Store Barn between May 24 and July 4 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for sweet floral-infused treats such as lavender lemonade and lavender ice cream. Cut bunches of lavender with scissors provided by the farm and shop for handmade products for bed, bath, body and pets.
4638 Midway Rd., Williamston, S.C. | twincreekslavender.com
photographs of Sunshine Lavender Farm by S.P. Murray
Sunshine Lavender Farm
driving distance: just over 2 hours
Tour the farm and enjoy lavender-themed picnics during the June Bloom Lavender Festival on June 3 and 10. The farm offers workshops such as glass-blowing, fiber art, and barn-quilt painting classes during June Bloom and throughout the year. All events require tickets.
Hurdle Mills, N.C. | sunshinelavenderfarm.co
Note: Many events are driven by when the lavender plants bloom. It changes from year to year, depending on temperatures and weather. Check farm websites and social-media platforms for hours of operation, farm guidelines about pets and children, event details, and inclement-weather closures. SP
featured photograph by S.P. Murray
