There’s something enchanting about finding yourself in a field of lavender. Whether it’s the mounds of purple blooms, the soothing scent, or the romantic notion of Provence, it’s pure Zen in bloom.
That’s what we discovered at the Seafoam Lavender Garden.
Located in River John, Nova Scotia, find out why it’s a stop you must add to your Canadian road trip itinerary, especially if you’re traveling on the scenic Sunrise Trail.
Editor’s Note: We updated this article in June 2022 to keep the content up to date.
CONTENTS: In this article, you will discover why you should add Seafoam Lavender Garden to your Nova Scotia itinerary.
- The Seafoam Lavender Garden and Shop
- What is Lavender (and How to Grow It)
- Where Does Lavender Grow?
- The History and Use of Lavender
- What to Expect at Seafoam Lavender Garden
- How Long To Spend at the Seafoam Lavender Fields & Boutique
- When is the Lavender in Peak Bloom in Nova Scotia?
- Final Thoughts
- Resources
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Lavender Fields
- Next Steps
The Seafoam Lavender Garden and Shop
The Seafoam Lavender Garden and Shop is an essential stop on the Sunrise Trail, a scenic road in Nova Scotia that runs from Auld Cove to Amherst. The 229 mi (368 km) trail itself offers lovely scenic views of the countryside and coast.
It’s punctuated by cottage industries, farms, modest homes, and yes—beautiful places to see the sunrise—along the way.
The lavender fields are also a great stop if you happen to be staying in Seafoam or the surrounding areas.
That’s exactly what we did.
This lavender garden and shop is a small, family-owned/operated agricultural business run by Dave and Suzy Belt, with their daughter Kiva-Marie and their son Collin.
Their handmade Canadian lavender products are:
- All-natural, made with ingredients derived from plants, minerals, or honey bees
- Synthetic free, using lavender and witch hazel as natural preservatives
- Perfume-, parabens-, and SLS-free
- Small-batch and direct-from-the-farm
- Canadian grown
You can find them at the store at Seafoam Garden and online.
You’ll also discover their fragrant products in select boutiques and at the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market.
About Growing Lavender
Lavender, a shrubby perennial plant with small, purple buds, thrives in regions with hot, dry summers.
It specifically prefers USDA Growing Zones 5 to 10.
Blue-green woody stalks form mounded clumps that range from a dwarfed 12-inches (30 cm) to 3 feet high, depending on the variety.
With 45 different species and 450 varieties,* there’s a lavender plant that suits just about every situation.
Atop each stalk blooms a row of tiny purple buds with a delicious scent that attracts bees and other pollinators.
Lavender makes beautiful landscaping plants, and you can harvest and dry the buds for:
- Essential oils
- Aromatherapy uses
- Beauty products
- Culinary use
- and more.
Every home should have one or two plants, at least.
Plus, bees love lavender in bloom!
With these benefits of lavender, It’s no wonder lavender has been favored for over 2500 years!
*Source: The United States Lavender Growers Association.
Where Does Lavender Grow?
Most people think of the south of France in places like Provence when they think of fields of lavender.
Rightly so.
The south of France offers amazing opportunities to experience vast lavender fields.
In addition, lavender is good for tourism.
You can combine French wine tasting with lavender tours in southern Europe, where lavender thrives as a native plant.
Let’s be honest.
What could be better than enjoying a lovely glass of private label wine amidst fragrant fields of lavender in Luberon or Sovensol, France?
However, gardens around the world grow lavender with great success.
Seafoam Gardens is an excellent example!
The History & Use of Lavender
Lavender is native to the Mediterranean, Middle East, and India.
Its obsession has been documented as far back as 2,500 years ago, long before visiting lavender fields in France was popular:
- Ancient Egyptians used lavender in their mummification rituals and perfume
- Romans used lavender oil for cooking, bathing, and freshening the air
- Medieval and Renaissance French washed their clothes in lavender soaps. Interestingly, its name comes from the Latin word “lavare,” which means “to wash”
- Ancient Greeks used lavender medicinally to treat insomnia, backaches, and mental illness, as well as to prepare the marital bed
What to Expect at Seafoam Lavender Garden
The Seafoam Lavender Garden farm itself is 132-acres. The lavender fields making up a small portion of that land.
But don’t be fooled by the small-ish size of the Seafoam Lavender Farm.
They grow over 4,000 lavender plants and offer 90+ products for sale!
You can opt for a self-guided or free guided tour of their lavender fields.
You may even want to pick up a plant for your hostess or to bring home.
One of the bonuses of this lavender farm is the little shop on-site, where you’ll find tempting lavender products.
Their on-site offerings include:
- Body butter
- Fragrance
- Cooking sachets
- Many other tempting gifts to buy as a remembrance of your visit
We left with some Herbs de Provence as a souvenir.
How Long To Spend at The Seafoam Lavender Fields & Boutique Shop
Part of the charm of a visit is the meditative quality of this experience.
Plan to spend a leisurely hour or so enjoying the walk through rows of lavender. You’ll admire the perennial beds, can gaze in the pond, and simply relax.
The walk along the lavender fields crosses a little wooden bridge over a stream and is very picturesque.
There are also some Adirondack chairs if you just want to sit and relax with a beautiful view.
While you’re there, you can harvest some lavender bouquets for yourself through their “U-Pick” harvest program. Or, you can participate in a free guided tour through the lavender fields.
You might even pack a picnic lunch to enjoy under the covered pavilion.
Another idea is to combine this stop with a trip to the nearby public beaches on the Northumberland shore. There, you’ll be overlooking Prince Edward Island.
(And, it’s worth noting that Seafoam Lavender Farm has a public wash house on-site for patrons if you’ve got a long ride ahead.)
Either way, time spent at Seafoam Lavender Garden & Shop is a memory in the making and time well-spent.
When to Visit Seafoam Lavender Garden?
Lavender’s peak bloom time is about 4 weeks in the summer. In Nova Scotia, this means July.
But you can visit any time of year between mid-May and mid-October. Even if it’s not peak season, you’ll enjoy the visit.
Final Thoughts on these Fields of Lavender
Seafoam Lavender Farm is a delightful find along the Sunset Trail, with much to offer.
It provides a welcome reprieve to travelers.
When you visit, you’ll be immersed within the soothing scents and visual wonder of lavender fields—especially if you’re traveling the Sunrise Trail.
Resources Mentioned in This Article
Seafoam Lavender Gardens & Farm Store
3768 Highway 6 (Seafoam) River John, NS B0K 1N0, Canada
Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market
Now open Wednesday through Sunday
Online orders may be picked up from this location.
More Lavender Fields in Nova Scotia
Homestead Lavender
11640 Highway #215
Urbania, N.S
+1 902-817-5917
The Farm | Meander River Farm & Brewery
906 Woodville Road
Ashdale,
Nova Scotia
Telephone: (902) 757-3484
E-mail: info@meanderriverfarm.ca
Lavender Hill Nursery
373 Lake John Road
Jordan Falls, Shelburne Co., NS
B0T 1J0
Phone: (902) 875-4600
Frequently Asked Questions – Lavender Fields
Where do fields of lavender grow?
Lavender prefers warm, dry summers and mild winters. Therefore, you’ll find fields of lavender best suited to Mediterranean climates. However, they also grow well in other places around the world, like Nova Scotia, the Pacific Northwest, Midwestern US, Cape Verde, the Canary Islands, southwest Asia, India, and elsewhere throughout the world.
What country is famous for lavender fields?
Provence in southern France is the first place that comes to mind for its lush lavender fields. But Bulgaria produces the finest lavender, as well as Tihany, Hungary.
Are there lavender fields in the US?
Yes! You’ll find lavender fields throughout the US. Oregon is one of the top producers of lavender in the US. And the town of Sequim, Washington, is nick-named the “Lavender Capital of North America.”
What is the biggest lavender field in the world?
This title goes to Bridestowe Lavender Estate in Tasmania. Here, you’ll find almost 125 miles (200 km) of lavender rowso over 260 acres! It features more than 650,000 plants to enjoy. Bridestowe is the world’s largest privately-owned lavender farm.
Next Steps
If you enjoy strolling through beautiful gardens like Seafoam Lavender Garden, here is some more inspiration for you:
- Easy Essential Oil Basics That Will Enhance Your Wellness Routine
- World Botanical Gardens: 35+ Beautiful Gardens That Will Inspire
- 3 Spectacular Botanical Gardens at The Huntington Museum
- Best Virtual Garden Tours in the World
- Best Inspirational Garden Quotes To Make You Think
Have you been to a lavender field? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.
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This article may contain affiliate links. As always, all opinions expressed are my own. For more information, please see the following Disclosure.
Thanks for such an interesting post. I really love lavender. I learned new things about Nova Scotia.
My pleasure, Angelina! Glad you enjoyed my post and know more about Nova Scotia, too!
I LOVE lavender, the smell and the beautiful colour is just irresistible. I’m also into any plant that attracts precious pollinators. Sounds like a lovely calming day trip Jackie.
It truly was exactly that–so relaxing, Freya. I share your love of lavender!
Such a beautiful post about a beautiful plant. I am from India and I had no idea Lavender is native to the Mediterranean, Middle East, and India. I have never been to the lavender field. Need to plan soon.
I’m glad you found this interesting, Archana. I hope you do walk through a lavender field sometime soon. It’s quite an experience for the senses!
I actually find there is something enchanting about various kinds of fields: The blinding yellow Colza in May in Northern Germany is just surreal. Wheatfields are so pretty. And yes, Lavendar is definitely beautiful. I love all products from Lavendar – especially in French herb mixes it’s really nice.
I couldn’t agree more, Renata. We were happy to bring back a few glass jars filled with herbs de Provence!
I love lavender, but have yet to visit a lavender field. I didn’t realize it could grow in Nova Scotia’s climate! I also didn’t realize there were so many uses for it.
Yes, I was surprised to find lavender so far north too, Jenn! It’s quite versatile, indeed.
Don’t you just love these little finds when road-tripping? Lavender is my absolute fragrance and I use it for almost everything. I even have lavender tea bags (which are to die for). Next time I am in Nova Scotia I will have to scout out Seafoam Lavender. Lavender fields are so calming and I love visiting them.
I truly enjoy these little finds, Kelly! I hope you get to check out this lavender field next time you’re in Nova Scotia!
How lovely! I was just looking at a map the other night and realized how “close” Nova Scotia was to us in NE (“close” is relative, right??). This is just beautiful, I’d love to see the Sunset Trail and stop here for some fresh lavender! My own personal favorite use of it is in my gin recipe 🙂
Definitely a doable and incredible road trip from New England, Kendra! I’d love to know your gin recipe…yum!