Purple Perfection: Thistle & Bloom Welcomes Lavender Lovers

Strolling through a lavender field feels like walking straight into a daydream, and here in the Willamette Valley, where lavender plants thrive, visiting U-cut farms is a treasured summer tradition. Located in Wilsonville, on Ladd Hill, overlooking the valley, Thistle & Bloom Lavender Farm is preparing for its third season of inviting the community to a purple paradise featuring U-cut bouquets, golden hour picnics among the bloomscape, and more! 

Sheena and Garrett Rupp knew they wanted to farm when they first bought their Wilsonville property in 2019, and lavender turned out to be the ideal crop. Besides being deer and disease-resistant, allowing for organic growth with no pesticides, the slope of the Ladd Hill terrain cultivates well-drained, arid soil in which the plants thrive. The couple began planting in 2021, and what started as three 100-square-foot floral plots has flourished into nearly six acres of blooms. “We wanted to create a French lavender farm experience, where massive fields of purple surround you,” says Sheena. 

Growing lavender requires patience, as it takes several years for plants to mature fully. Last summer was the first time every cultivar produced robust blooms, and the result was magical — picture a sea of purples, whites and pinks cascading down the hillside. Thistle & Bloom offers 28 different varieties of multi-faceted lavender, all meticulously selected by Sheena to bring visitors the best of all worlds, from long-stemmed selections that make a beautiful bouquet to culinary lavender and plants that produce the finest essential oils. Buena Vista is one of their most beloved blossoms, an English lavender that’s known for its long blooming period and sweet fragrance. Sheena also loves “Miss Katherine,” which produces light pink flowers with a unique sweet-citrus aroma. “We distilled oil from 'Miss Katherine' for the first time this year, and it smells amazing!” Sheena says. 

Sheena and Garrett planted strategically to ensure the farm is in continuous bloom throughout peak season, and Thistle & Bloom is typically open to the public from June 1st through the end of July. Visitors can stop at the U-cut stand, grab a provided pair of scissors with a basket, and wander through the tranquil fields in search of the most enchanting blooms. Relaxing among the flowers with a breathtaking panorama of views is truly an otherworldly experience! Once you’ve harvested your bounty, the U-cut stand offers a self-service cash box or a scannable QR code for payment. Be sure and peek inside the greenhouse to say hello to Sheena and peruse their selection of essential oils, candles, and bath salts, all distilled and handcrafted on-site.

Thistle & Bloom features picturesque pathways and two circular grass centers surrounded by lavender, where the farm hosts Sunday morning yoga. On Saturday evenings, visitors can reserve a spot to picnic in the lavender fields, which includes a basket brimming with charcuterie boxes for each person, bottles of lavender lemonade, and flower bunches. “We keep it small to ensure a really special, intimate experience,” Sheena explains. “They’re scheduled during golden hour so that people can avoid the heat. It’s such a beautiful time to be on the farm.” From mothers and daughters to groups of girlfriends and couples, the picnics were a hit in the community last summer and sold out every week! 

Besides their innumerable lavender plants, Thistle & Bloom is also home to a herd of Nigerian Dwarf goats and Kune-Kune pigs, which Sheena and Garrett raise and sell. “They’re like labrador retrievers, but pigs,” Sheena says with a laugh. Though the couple was new to farming when they launched Thistle & Bloom, they’ve fallen in love with the lifestyle. “It’s so rewarding to get to see and be part of the growing process. It definitely feels like something we were called to do.”

Thistle & Bloom Lavender Farm is located at 32930 SW Ladd Hill Rd in Wilsonville. Please call them at (503) 828-4052 or visit their website at www.thistlenbloom.com