Blossom Bound

On the north side of town, on the way to the ferry, you’ll pass a burgeoning boutique lavender farm on its way to becoming an exciting destination for Canby and beyond. Lowe’s Lavender Farm specializes in all the finest cultivars of French and English lavender and handcrafts an impressive line of small-batch products designed to inspire peace and tranquility while showcasing the beauty of a magnificent plant humans have adored for centuries.

Michelle and Rick Lowe are self-proclaimed “accidental farmers.” After retiring from

23 years as a teacher/school counselor and 16 years in the Air National Guard, Michelle

planted 100 lavender starts on their Aurora property in 2019, which quickly expanded to 850 plants by the fall of 2021. But they soon realized they’d need to relocate. “We wanted a place

we could open to the public,” she explains. “It just wasn’t conducive for that.” In February 2024, the couple purchased a nearly 5-acre property in Canby and planted 900 lavender plants that will eventually be available for u-pick.

After initially cultivating 25 varieties, Michelle has hand-selected about 12 of the most exceptional English and French cultivars for her naturally grown boutique garden, all with their own distinctive attributes. The new plants won’t be mature for about three years, so her current product stock was crafted from crops at their previous property. Everything is made

by hand, from essential oils and culinary lavender to sachets and bouquets, with the utmost attention to quality and artisanal excellence.

“The lavender water, or hydrosol, is one of our best sellers,” Michelle says. “It’s antimicrobial and antibacterial. People use it for linen spray, room spray, body spray — all kinds of things. ” She offers bulk orders, like handmade bouquets and centerpieces for weddings, as well as whole plants.

Lowe’s Lavender can be found in many local storefronts, and Michelle has been collaborating with other small business owners to design even more unique lavender creations. Her partnerships include Whiskey Hill Store and Three Daisies Vintage, and she sells seasonally at Triskelee Farm, Hemphill Farms and Fir Point Farms. She also keeps stock at the Butteville Store — be sure to try their Luna’s Lavender Ice Cream featuring Lowe’s culinary lavender, which Teresa Sasse at Puddin’ River Chocolates has transformed into chocolate bars. All the aromatherapy bracelets for essential oils, which are very popular, come from Rose at The Sun and Moon Aura. You’ll additionally see Lowe’s at farmers’ markets and seasonal events. Customers can shop on their website, which has nationwide shipping, and Michelle makes free local deliveries.

As a bona fide family business, Michelle does most of the farm work with some help from her clan. “My four sisters and their kids, my daughter, son-in-law, my husband and his family, grandkids, my mom — they all pitch in, especially during harvest time,” she says. Rick is in the air guard and works as a full-time technician at the base in Portland, but he still finds time to dig holes and lay fabric. He also enjoys distilling lavender and using their Besel Debudding machine, which separates the lavender buds from the stems, a long and tedious process when done by hand.

The operation is poised for future growth with all its connections and a picturesque property full of potential. “I’d love to have a roadside stand for fresh and dried lavender bouquets,” says Michelle. “And we want to build a pavilion for classes and demonstrations. We’ll offer photography sessions and maybe paint nights — there are so many possibilities.”

The soil near the river is rich in moisture and nutrients, making it an ideal location for growing other crops, which the family intends to do.

Lowe’s Lavender has already received a warm welcome from the local community. “Right out the gate, our neighbors brought goodies from their garden — I love the camaraderie,” says Michelle.

Giving back as much as possible is a cornerstone of the business, including working with Kayla at the non-profit Wildly Kind to make mini-bouquets for kindness kits. “As a counselor,

that’s my heart — I want to create and share happiness.”

Lowe’s Lavender is located in Canby. Please visit their website at www.loweslavenderfarm.com.