The Stanislaus Sprout
Article

A Lavender Experience

  • By Anne E Schellman

Three lavender wands resting on a lavender plant.
Lavender wand on lavender, Heidi Aufdermaur.
Lavenders (Lavendula spp.) are lovely plants with colorful flowers often in purple shades with a distinctive scent. A common sight in many gardens, it is generally easy to grow, and is a magnet for pollinators such as honeybees, bumblebees, butterflies, and hoverflies. Coveted for its fragrance, calming presence, healing properties, and as a flavoring agent, it has been used for hundreds of years for a variety of purposes.

For the third year the UCCE Stanislaus County Master Gardeners is presenting its popular A Lavender Experience Workshop. Participants will:

  • Explore the history of lavender and its uses.
  • Learn about different types of lavender and how to grow them.
  • Learn to make a lavender wand* and a stem lavender basket* (NEW!).
  • Snack on lavender flavored goodies like lavender lemonade, salad, and shortbread.
  • Get recipes for food made from lavender and dried culinary lavender to make your own recipes.
  • Take home some lavender soap and scrub made by our UC Master Gardeners. (NEW!)
  • Get a lavender plant to put in your garden.

Yellow butterfly perched on a lavender flower.
English lavender field, pixabay CC license
We hope you will join us for a relaxing, educational morning while doing fun activities, eating delicious lavender foods, and learning about this remarkable, rejuvenating herb.

Where: location mailed to participants
When: Saturday, June 22 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Cost: $30
Note: 35 spaces available 
Questions? (209) 525-6862
Sign up online: https://ucanr.edu/lavender/2024

Master Gardener Instructors: Heidi Aufdermaur, Doone Cockrell, Denise Godbout-Avant, Bonnie Jones-Lee, Karen Jorgensen, Connie Lundgren-Gardner, Sandy Mann, Stephanie Ranon, Janet Wickstrom

If you cannot afford to pay full price for this workshop, please contact Anne at (209) 525-6862 or aschellman@ucanr.edu for a partial scholarship (while supplies last).

*Lavender wands and baskets can be placed in clothes drawers or cabinets to release a fresh scent and may last for years. You can also keep your wand or basket near your desk and inhale its relaxing fragrance when needed. Baskets can be used to store dried flowers, potpourri, or small items.

The lavender field image is from Pixabay and was published prior to July 2017 under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication license https://web.archive.org/web/20161229043156/https://pixabay.com/en/service/terms/