At Peace Valley Lavender Farm, which sits on a gentle hillside with a view of Lake Galena, you’ll find a little slice of Provence nestled on an idyllic slope in the heart of Bucks County.
When Patti and George Lyons, who are the married owner/operators of the lavender farm set out to transition to a “slower pace” in their business and lifestyles in 2000, little did they know they’d be tending over 3,000 lavender plants while becoming a seasonal Mecca for area lavender enthusiasts.
“Experiences like Peace Valley Lavender Farm showcase the unique attractions that inspire visitors to explore Bucks County. Named by Forbes in 2024 as one of the country’s ‘Lovely Lavender Fields to Check Out,’ the farm offers a memorable seasonal activity, drawing visitors during its peak bloom season in June and July,” said Paul Bencivengo, president and CEO of Visit Bucks County of the New Britain Township location.
Peace Valley Lavender Farm is located just north of Doylestown.
Farm co-owner Patti Lyons said during a phone interview the pair had a farm in Buckingham Township, where they grew specialty salad greens and produce for high-end New York City restaurants.
“We always had an edible garden for herbs and edible flowers and when we sold that business we had purchased this property and we weren’t sure about the next phase of our lives,” she explained.
But as a self-described Nebraska “farm girl” Lyons couldn’t get too far away from “having my hands in the soil.”
Lavandula is a genus of flowering herbs with bloom times from June to August. While native to the Mediterranean, it can adapt to many other climates, like the microclimate that dominates Bucks County, Lyons said.
Lavandula angustifolia, or English lavender, is the hardiest variety grown as a perennial in Pennsylvania, according to Colonial Gardens, while most French and Spanish types are more suitably grown as annuals.
A sun loving plant, Lyons said lavender isn’t especially difficult to grow – but it does need some specific conditions to flourish.
Lavender does not do well in heavy clay soils and hates “wet feet” that will kill plants, she said.
“Our farm slope helps with drainage, and we’ve added swales and berms [soil mounds] on the property to help with drainage,” Lyons explained.
Lavender tolerates “thin or lean” nutrient soils in which other plants would struggle to thrive. Lavender is drought tolerant, and it benefits from annual cutting to encourage fresh growth and blooming, according to Lyons.
“We have 3,000 plants and mainly grow two different species of lavender – English and French hybrids,” Lyons said.
Different varieties – or sub types within those two distinct species – are grown at Peace Valley Lavender Farm.
“Over time we’ve planted lots of different varieties and those that didn’t do well we either eliminated – or they self-eliminated. For me, part of the appeal when we started was the fragrance,” Lyons added.
She said using lavender and preparing products to offer visitors and customers to the gift shop is another interest she enjoys and cultivates.
Lavender is naturally repellent to deer, groundhog and rabbits, so the choice to grow only lavender paid off for the pair’s venture.
“On a drive one day [with George] I had a vision of a field of lavender – a beautiful field of lavender – and suggested we do only lavender. And we had to figure everything else out along the way,” Lyons said.
Through trial and error – and weathering successes and failures – they came up with a winning formula – in the gift shop and out on the farm where “pick your own” lavender bunches are offered.
“I’ve learned how to distill and make products from it and how versatile it is,” she added. “We try new things and offer them to our customers in the gift shop.”
Lyons said a shift occurred during the coronavirus pandemic – when everything ground to a halt and many people sought something to do during an unprecedentedly stressful time.
“We don’t own beauty,” Lyons explained, “and when everything was shut down during the pandemic we closed, too. Then the lavender started to bloom.”
Incorporating best practices and health advice to keep visitors safe in the gift shop and opening up the farm was a source of joy – and inspiration – for many who came there, according to Lyons.
Bencivengo said about 8.4 million visitors come to Bucks County annually, generating $1.3 billion in economic impact to local communities.
“Destinations like Peace Valley Lavender Farm encourage travelers to discover our scenic landscapes, support local businesses and spend more time exploring the region. Combined with the town of Doylestown and nearby attractions such as Peace Valley Park and Lake Galena, the farm provides locals and visitors with another reason to experience the natural beauty and charm of Bucks County,” Bencivengo said.
When it comes to a personal philosophy about tending the lavender farm – from a post-pandemic perspective –Lyons easily sums up their mission:
“It was a community service to give people a safe and relaxing place to go to. We feel fortunate to be here, and we also feel a responsibility – but look at what we’re maintaining,” she said.
“It’s a stewardship – and a gift,” Lyons added.
Patti Lyons tips for growing lavender at home:
· Pick a variety that is winter hardy in Bucks County. Colonial Gardens offers tips for successfully growing lavender. All lavenders are perennial, but some are tender perennials or annuals so look at the point of purchase tag for hardiness.
· Pick a spot in the garden (or container) with enough sun – a full eight hours is ideal along with well-drained soil. Compost is great, but the soil doesn’t have to be “super rich.”
· Lavender does well in “lean soil” as long as the soil is well drained, Lyons said.
· Annual pruning will stimulate fresh growth and flowering and will extend the lifespan – by double or triple. Prune plants annually from late March to early April.
· Lavender is a low maintenance plant. While no plant likes weed competition, don’t over mulch lavender plants. “Lavender doesn’t like too much water or water retention that can breed fungal diseases,” Lyons noted.
· Harvest the flowers and enjoy them!
Peace Valley Lavender Farm is open for business!
The farm is located at 802 New Galena Road, Doylestown. There is no entry fee and parking is available on site.
Hours: Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Dog friendly, with some rules: The farm is open to well- behaved dogs and leashes are required during your visit.
Visit the website or call 215.249.8462 for further information.
Chickens roam the property; and expect a welcome visit from the Lyons’s resident pooch, Bodhi.
