Growing Lavender in Arizona

I posted on June 1, 2010 about Lavender in the Arizona Mountains and Red Rock Farms.  Unfortunately, as seems to have been the way for me this year, my plans to visit Red Rock Farms during the lavender festival did not happen as planned.  Although frustrating, all is not lost.  It is possible to visit throughout the rest of the year and I already have some thoughts on how to utilize lavender in my own back yard.

Our property consists of just over an acre of land here in Sedona.  Most of that, is "au naturelle" landscaping - you get the picture :)  However, landscaping with lavender, even here in Arizona, is possible.  Imagine awakening to the fragrance of lavender each day (when in bloom) - and as a base for an aromatherapy business, what could be more fitting?

Several years ago, a few vineyards started to spring up around Sedona.  California is probably more noted for its wine than Arizona but now the vineyard business in Sedona seems to be taking off.  So, perhaps lavender in Sedona, as oppose to lavender in Provence, is also a contender!  At the moment, I'm just thinking of landscaping but who know where that may lead to? :)

Watch this space over the coming year for an update on my lavender landscaping!

Lavender in the Arizona Mountains...

It doesn't seem like the words "lavender" and "Arizona" should go together in the same sentence - yet Arizona has one of the largest lavender farms in the Western hemisphere, rivaling those lavender fields in Provence, France!  Red Rock Ranch and Farm is located at an elevation of 6,100 feet in the White Mountains of Arizona, a couple of hours drive from where I live here in Sedona.  Sedona itself is located at an elevation of 4,500 feet - not the "traditional" low desert landscape often associated with Arizona and found in the southern part of the state in Phoenix.

Red Rock Farm states that they have over 45,000 lavender plants on a 130 acre ranch.  Between June 24 and July 3, Red Rock Farm is holding its 7th Annual Lavender Festival.  Throughout the lavender festival it is possible to tour the farm, see lavender oil distilled and see culinary demonstrations with lavender too.  It is something which is already scheduled on my calendar, so watch out for my thoughts and review of our trip there some time in July!  I am sure I will come away with some more knowledge, thoughts and inspiration in how to use lavender, particularly in relation to aromatherapy....  :)

For more information on lavender:

The Lavender Essential Oils