Ontario’s lavender fields and farms

York, Durham and Headwaters

Hereward Farms

Visit the seasonal lavender farm and Lavender Lounge + Boutique at Hereward Farms is an idyllic lavender farm just 20 minutes outside of Orangeville and about an hour drive from Toronto.

View over 6,000 lavender plants and shop for luxurious, lavender-infused farm-to-skin body and home products that are non-toxic and cruelty-free.

Location: 141051 15 Sideroad, East Garafraxa

Christel Lake Lavender Farm

Northeast of Toronto near Uxbridge and Port Perry, the lavender fields at this farm surround a spring-fed lake, offering amazing photo ops.

There’s a playground on-site with swings and a trampoline to keep kids occupied while you set out with your camera. Browse lavender-infused products in the gift shop before you leave.

This farm operates seasonally and reservations are required.

Location: 1381 Scugog Line 12, Greenbank

Stonewell Lavender Farm

From the postcard-perfect heritage stone house to the picturesque lavender fields, there’s a lot of potential for the photographers at Stonewell Lavender Farm just west of Brampton.

Professional shoots will require advance booking, but amateur shutterbugs are welcome to join this lavender-loving family on mini-tours of the farm.

Location: 9762 Wellington Road 42, Erin

Erin Hill Acres

Erin Hill Acres is a 36-hectare Christmas Tree farm that also grows lavender and sunflowers in the summer.

Discover unique lavender products such as lavender chocolate sauce, caramelized onion lavender chutney, lavender teas along with various bath and body products.

Visit a historic grain silo onsite that is surrounded by lavender planted in a circular design. Seasonal attractions and activities such as wagon rides, nature trails and food trucks are available for visitors.

Location: 5837 3 Line, Hillsburgh

Avalon Lavender Farm

Avalon grows over 30,000 lavender plants to stroll through. "Cut-your-own" lavender is available to take home a fresh bundle.

Products such as lavender white hot chocolate, lavender simple syrup, lavender creamed honey and lavender savoury seasoning are a few of the products for purchase.

Seasonal yoga classes are hosted in the Celtic Stone Circle on select dates.

Location: 347036 Mono Centre Road, Mono

The Giving Place

This pesticide-free lavender farm also tends to beehives, wildflowers, sunflowers, chickens, rescue bunnies and a fish pond.

The online farm shop sells honey bee lavender products, lavender beard oils, lavender honey and gourmet lavender sugars. 

Private bookings available for photographers.

Location: 19618 E Townline, Mount Albert

Lavender Polo Farm

Just under an hour north of Toronto, this expansive farm features over 100,000 English and Spanish lavender plants, as well as lavender products for sale, refreshments and weekly events like yoga sessions.

Location: 20132 McCowan Road, East Gwillimbury

Southwestern Ontario

Bonnieheath Estate Lavender and Winery

Once a tobacco farm, this property successfully transitioned into a lavender farm and winery. It’s a must-stop location within a region of environmentally and culturally significant sites that make up the Long Point UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Enjoy a glass of wine (including lavender-infused dessert wine) or cider as you wander through the grounds’ vineyards, prairie grasses, lavender fields and natural wetland and get that perfect picture.

Location: 410 Concession 12 Townsend, Waterford

Apple Hill Lavender

The lavender fields at Apple Hill are part of a family-operated century farm in Norfolk County.

Open to the public from May to December, stroll the lavender fields (which peak in July), linger over a picnic and shop for essential oils, lavender chocolate, tea and more in the boutique.

Professional photo shoots, as well as yoga sessions, must be booked in advance.

Location: 1795 Windham Road 11, Windham Centre

Serenity Lavender Farm

The name really says it all. Serenity Lavender Farm grows over 40 varieties and invites you to come ‘learn the language of lavender’ on a farm tour. Nestled on the north shore of Lake Erie, this is Canada’s most southern lavender farm.

With tasty food and wines to try, it’s easy to turn your photo mission into a day-long excursion at this scenic spot. Browse the myriad of lavender-infused goodies in the shop, including culinary, aromatherapy and bath products.

Did we mention it’s on a winery? North 42 Degrees Estate Winery offers tastings of their whites, reds and rosé.

Location: 130 Essex County Road 50, Harrow

Hamilton, Halton and Brant

Lochland Botanicals

Lochland Botanicals grows a variety of herbs and flowers like peppermint, sage, sunflowers, and of course, lavender on a picturesque horse farm west of Milton.

In addition to pick-your-own opportunities, they offer classes and workshops on how to use herb and floral products for culinary and wellness purposes, as well as mini photography sessions.

Reserve tickets in advance.

Location: 2468 25 Side Road, Campbellville

The Lavender Farm

In the rural town of Ayr, just outside of Cambridge, this scenic lavender farm is a highly sought-after wedding venue. The Lavender Farm also welcomes photographers to shoot the rustic barn, antique farm equipment, and of course, vast lavender fields.

Since 1882, the Lavender Farm has been a family farm, but it wasn’t until 2011 that lavender became the main crop. With several varieties to photograph, this is an exciting venture for any photographer, professional or amateur.

Location: 769 Drumbo Road, Ayr

Kelso Lavender

Located just over 10 minutes from downtown Milton, Kelso Lavender farm is home to over 25,000 lavender plants grown without the use of herbicides or pesticides.

Shop for lavender products such as lavender maple syrup, lavender pillows, lotion sticks, lavender ‘leave-in’ conditioner and charcoal + lavender face/body soap.

Location: 8649 Appleby Line, Milton

Southeastern Ontario

Prince Edward County Lavender

As if Prince Edward County wasn’t pretty enough, strolling through the lavender here will have you feeling like you’re in Provence (minus the airfare). Peak flowering period is late June into early July, and the farm hosts a two-day Lavender Festival each July.

Pick up essential lavender oil and find other lavender products such as a sugar exfoliation scrub and a Lavender & Earl Grey Cream tea.

For the ultimate opportunity to snap the perfect dusk or dawn shot, stay at the B&B on the farm.

Location: 732 Closson Road, Hillier

Bruce, Grey and Simcoe

South Bay Fields

Seasonal fresh lavender and sunflower bundles are available for purchase along with a variety of lavender products such as bath bombs, bath soak, pillow mist, sachets and more.

South Bay Fields distills their own English and French essential oils onsite. Look out for the free-range chickens when you visit.

Location: 7527 Nottawasaga 36/37 Sideroad, Collingwood

The Purple Hollow

There will be opportunities to visit this boutique lavender farm this summer through ticketed events, private photography sessions, yoga in the fields, and more.

Browse the farm shop for handcrafted soaps, luxurious lavender and botanical products, local artisan goods and stunning seasonal bouquets. 

Location: 637295 St. Vincent-Sydenham Townline, Meaford

Essentially Lavender

Located in Bruce County, Essentially Lavender offers tours of their property that include lavender fields, a labyrinth, shrub and perennial gardens, a xeriscape garden and an apiary.

Accommodation is available if you want to extend your visit; advanced booking is required.

Visit the lavender boutique for products such as after sun spray, lavender and lemon deodorant, lavender yoga mat spray, lemon lavender room spray, essential herb blend and more.

Location: 1379 Concession 10, Teeswater

Bluewater Lavender

Stop in at the summer farm market stand to pick up hand make lavender products at this family owned and operated lavender farm. Located at the base of the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula, five different types of lavender are grown.

Farm tours available on Saturdays and Sundays in July and August and photographers are invited to book photography sessions online.

Location: 441022 Elm Street, Wiarton

Niagara Region

Ridgeway Lavender

Head over to Port Colborne to tour of the lavender fields at Ridgeway Lavender. Yoga classes are available at the farm on select dates.

Choose from pre-potted lavender plants while visiting and add a piece of the farm to your own garden. There are a variety of different essential oils and products for purchase, like the soothing lavender eye mask.

Location: 3359 Third Concession, Port Colborne

Kawarthas and Northumberland 

Rocky Meadows Lavender

A variety of workshops and events take place each summer at Rocky Meadows Lavender Farm, just an hour west of Belleville.

Pre-book your appointments so you don’t miss out on great activities like yoga, reflexology, crafting with lavender (wreath and lavender wands), art in the lavender fields and aromatherapy education workshops.

Location: 2295 County Road 38, Indian River Asphodel-Norwood

Haliburton Highlands to the Ottawa Valley

Woodland North Lavender Farm

During lavender season of July to mid-September, you’re invited to visit Woodland North Lavender Farm to harvest your own lavender, purchase lavender goods, attend a special event and simply enjoy being in nature.

Register for lavender themed learning classes, crafting workshops and even cooking demonstrations and shop for lavender beverages, treats and skin care products.

Field visits are welcomed starting July 8, on Thursdays through Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Admission is $10 and includes lavender lemonade and a lavender shortbread cookie.

Location: 14716 North Highway 62 and 7, Madoc

More Ontario lavender experiences 

Get more information on lavender farms, shops and events along the "Purple Road".

It’s the ultimate resource of everything lavender-related across the province compiled by the Ontario Lavender Association.

Note: Some lavender farms may not have washrooms or food and beverages onsite. Also, be sure to check in advance if lavender farm requires registration or purchase of admission tickets before you visit and if dogs are welcome.

Tips for taking pictures of lavender fields

It’s clear why photographers love lavender. The green contrasts beautifully with the muted purple, and the symmetrical rows offer tons of natural leading lines.

From lighting to composition, here are three tips to make your photos look amazing.

Shoot at golden hour

When the sun is high, the stark shadows created take away from the striking symmetry in the rows of lavender plants.

You’ll want to shoot lavender fields at golden hour - early in the morning or right before sunset. Not only does the yellow tone of the sunshine perfectly complement the purple of the plants, but the softer light creates softer shadows.

Bonus, you’ll also avoid the crowds that flock to lavender fields during the summer days. Just confirm the hours of operation at the farm you are visiting in advance.

Try unusual angles

The typical lavender photo is a perfectly symmetrical shot between two rows of lavender, with the rest of the rows peeking over on each side.

However, to make your lavender photos stand out, try shooting close-ups of the plants, bees buzzing around or top-down shots. That said, shooting a typical lavender field is never a bad thing. Just make sure to lock your white balance, so those purple colours stand out.

Add a subject

Lavender farms are indeed photogenic, but your lavender photos will pop with someone interacting with the plants, or simply an eye-catching detail at the end of a lavender row that draws your viewer’s eye down the leading line.

These subjects also make great tools for close-ups, like the photo of a hand holding a lavender sprig.