Between 2016 and 2018 the MSU Horticultural Gardens engaged in a cultivar trail with seven different lavender varieties: Big Time Blue, Folgate, Gros Bleu, Mailette, Munstead, Violet Intrigue and White Spike. The criteria that were used for evaluation each year were: development stage, number of buds, fullness/openness, spike length, color/vibrance, and winter survival. Evaluations were made between 4 and 8 times per year. At the end of the 3 season trial results showed that Big Time Blue and Folgate performed the best while White Spike was determined to perform the poorest. Thanks to Lavender Hill Farm of Niles, MI and Lavender Hill Farm of Boyne City, MI for their donations, and to MSU Extension for its financial support. To see the annual results and accompanying notes on performance click on the links below.

2016 MSU Lavender Trial Results (PDF)

2017 MSU Lavender Trial Results (PDF)

2018 MSU Lavender Trial Results (PDF)

If you are a GLLG member and would like to use the organization’s logo anywhere in your business, we encourage you to do that!  We’ve included several logo file types for your use below.

PNG format for web (white lettering)
PNG format for web (black lettering)
TIFF format for print (black lettering)
EPS format for seasoned use (both logos in file)

Lavender Production and Marketing

• Paola Legarre Presentation on Diversification (2018 GLLG Conference)
• Paola Legarre Presentation on Distillation (2018 GLLG Conference)
• “Growing and Marketing Lavender,” by Curtis Beus
• “Introduction to Commercial Lavender Production,” by Curtis Beus
• “Lavender Production, Products, Markets and Entertainment Farms,” by Katherine Adams
• “Meeting the Challenges for Lavender Production, by John Phair
• “So You Want to Grow Lavender? Considerations and Cautions,” by Dr. Sean Westerveld, ONspecialitycrops
• “Soil Preparation for Lavender,” Dr. Curtis Swift, Colorado State University Extension
• “Why Lavender Growers Should be Concerned about Phytophthora Root and Crown Rot Disease, and How to Avoid Infecting Your Crop,” by Martha Wilczynski, Wynne Wright and Mary Bergstrom

Websites

• “Growing Lavender in Colorado,” by K. A. Kimbrough and C.E. Swift
• “Increasing Lavender Production and Oil Producers through the use of Hoop Housing and Soil Amendments,” SARE Report
• “Lavender,” by Matt Ernst, University of Kentucky Extension
• “Lavender Production in Massachusetts,” UMass Extension
• “Lavender Production Information,” by Cindy Fake, University California Extension
• “Lavender Production Basics for Northeastern New York,” by Dr. Lily Calderwell, Cornell Extension and Diane and David Allen, Lavenlair Farm.
• ONspecialitycrops (search for articles on lavender or by Dr. Sean Westerveld)
• “Projected Start-up Costs – Lavender Production Developed by Rod Sharp, Regional Extension Specialist, Agriculture and Business Management,” by Colorado State University Extension
• “Lavender: History, Taxonomy, and Production,” by Joe-Ann McCoy, NC State Extension

Books

• Bader- Berringer, Sarah. 2012. The Lavender Lovers Handbook. Timber Press, Portland, OR
• McNaughton, Virginia. 2000. Lavender: The Grower’s Guide. Timber Press, Portland, OR
• Platt, Ellen Spector. 2009. Lavender: How to Grow and Use the Fragrant Herb. Stackpole Books.
• Upson, T. and Andrews, S. 2004. The Genus Lavandula. Timber Press, Inc.

National Lavender Associations/Organizations

• Lavender Association of Western Colorado
• Ontario Lavender Association
• Oregon Lavender Association
• Texas Lavender Association
• Washington Lavender Association
• United States Lavender Growers Association (USLGA)

International Literature

• Kiran Babu, G.D., V. Thakur and B. Singh.  2016.  “Variability in the Composition of Lavandula angustifolia Extracts due to Extraction Methods.” Journal of Herbs, Spices and Medicinal Plants, 22(2): 173-182.
• Gül, Mevlut, Murside Cagla Ormeci Kart & Bekir Sitki Sirikci. 2016. “Determining Costs and Profitability of Lavender Farms in Isparta Province of Turkey,” Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants
• Singh, S. V. Singh, G.D. Kiran Babu, V. K. Kaul and P.S. Ahuja. 2007. “Economics of Lavender (Lavandula Officinalis L.) in Himachal Pradesh.” Journal of Non-Timber Forest Products,14(2):97-100.
• Zheljazkov, V.D., C. L. Cantrell, T. Astatkie, and E. Jeliazkova.  2013.  “Distillation Time Effect on Lavender Essential Oil.” Journal of Oleo Science, 62(4): 195-199.