Our Story

Faverolles Gardens LLC is a budding lavender farm and native plant source in LaFayette New York.  It is here that my love of nature, beautiful landscapes, and mission to increase biodiversity combine. My business is designed to do the same for you.

Faverolles Gardens –  growing in phases:

Phase I: In the summer of 2021, I started a lavender farm.  My family hand-planted over 200 lavender plants of two French cultivars – Sensational & Phenomenal. Lavender provides pollen and nectar and attracts bees, bumblebees, and moths. In 2022, we planted another 250 plants including two culinary varieties, Hidcote & Munstead.  

Phase II: I launched native plant sales aspects of my business in 2022.  I sell a wide selection of plants native to central New York at our farm, at the CNY Farmers Market,  and through email orders. I consult with gardeners to select plants and to design the assemblages of native plants that will increase biodiversity in their specific garden situations.

Native plant gardens grow a collection of native plants that, when planted together, sustain the life cycles of local insects. Over time, even within one year, the increase in insects leads to an increase in bird species, then mammal species, and overall biodiversity. Once established, native plant gardens are beautiful and require less maintenance than ornamental gardens. Biodiversity increases when even 70% of a garden is planted with native plants. If everyone planted even a small native plant garden, our combined efforts would increase global diversity!

Phase III: In 2024 over half of the lavender reached maturity!   We added a retail shop (a.k.a. Hobbit Shed) and parking area to the farm with an agritourism grant from Onondaga County.  Visitors are invited to Faverolles Gardens to connect with nature through our lavender and native plant gardens. Plan time to cut a bouquet of lavender and sample our specialty culinary treats while sitting with a view of the lavender and native plant fields. Look for our list of events that include a variety of workshops on native plant gardening, culinary uses of lavender, plant-pollinator life cycles, yoga, art in the fields, and lavender in the home. We carry other local products that pair well with lavender:  honey from Hiwire Honey and Brainard Farmette, Maple Syrup from Dutch Hill Maple,  ceramic art by Terry Askey-Cole, and wool felted figurines by Heartfelt Arts that are filled with Faverolles Gardens lavender.  

Photographers are welcome to contact us for details about photo shoots in the lavender. Faverolles Gardens may also be booked for small private parties (baby/bridal showers, birthdays, etc)  and educational events with enough advance notice in scheduling.  

Over the next few years, we will increase the number of varieties of lavender on the farm.  Native plant gardens will also increase as we plant parent crops to provide native plant seeds for generations to come.

Every year, 10% of the lavender remains uncut and, along with all late-blooming native plants, will carry local bee populations into the Fall. 

Visit us between June and September!