Guide to Ontario Lavender Fields

A bouquet of dried Lavender, could there be anything more fragrant and pretty? Yes, actually. How about ENTIRE FIELDS full of Lavender?! Rows and rows of the gorgeous purple plant in full bloom – it’s probably one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen, and a total Instagrammer’s paradise! It’s been on my bucket list for a while to visit the bountiful Lavender fields in Provence or England. But I never realized that we have so many Lavender fields right here in Ontario! I discovered that there are actually more than 20 Lavender fields within driving distance of Toronto!

So, if you’re planning to visit any of the Ontario lavender fields, I’ve put together this little guide as a reference.

Where are the Lavender fields in Ontario?

They’re scattered all throughout Ontario, both east and west of Toronto. A very helpful website for information about all of these Lavender fields is Lavender Ontario, which talks about The Purple Road, which is where you can find all of the Lavender farm tourism destinations and businesses in Ontario.

I’ve put together this map which pinpoints the locations of the Lavender fields on The Purple Road:

Which is the Best Lavender Field to Visit?

The answer really is, “it all depends on what you’re looking for.” You should do your own research to determine which the best for you and what times it’s open to the public, by going on its website or calling. Also make sure the farm is welcoming visitors. Be mindful of not overcrowding. Tip: I always visit the geo tag of a particular location on Instagram to see what it looks like before I go. Chances are, you’ll be able to find a very recent photo of the location, so you’ll know exactly what to expect. I also do this to get inspiration for photos and to know what the best places are to shoot.

Weir’s Lane and Terre Bleu are both about an hour away from downtown Toronto (and about 30-40 minutes away from each other). Prince Edward County Lavender is another large Lavender field, but it’s about twice as far as Terre Bleu.

Photo taken in the “big field” at Weir’s Lane Lavender & Apiary

Walking amongst the French Lavender at Terre Bleu

My recommendation is to visit both Weir’s Lane and Terre Bleu. Weir’s Lane opens at 10 a.m., so start there and then make your way to Terre Bleu, which opens at 11 a.m. The main advantage of Weir’s Lane is that it is WAYYYY less crowded than Terre Bleu, but its fields are much smaller. Depending on the day of the week and time of day you go, it can feel like a bit of an amusement park at Terre Bleu! However, Terre Bleu also has the most delicious Lavender ice cream – one of the best ice creams I’ve ever had (and if you know how much I love ice cream, you know how bold of a statement that is).

What types of Lavender do they have and what’s the difference?

The 2 main types of Lavender that you’ll see at these fields are: Lavandula Angustifolia (aka “English Lavender”) and Lavendula Intermedia (aka “French Lavender”). English Lavender is generally shorter and bushier than French. The flowers on English Lavender can be white or light purple, whereas the flowers on the French Lavender are a deeper purple. I’m a French Lavender kind of girl!

When is the best time of year to visit the Lavender fields?

The short answer is when the Lavender is in full bloom. But, this is dictated by the variety and the weather. Usually, June through August is when Lavender blooms. English Lavender in Ontario will bloom in June and sometimes again in September. French will bloom in July.

It’s always best to check the website, social media accounts, or actually call the Lavender field to see if their plants are in full bloom. Again, the Instagram geo tag can be your best friend!

What is the best time of day?

The best time to photograph the Lavender, like any other photography outdoors, is in the early morning or around sunset (during the illustrious ‘golden hour’). Unfortunately, Ontario Lavender fields generally don’t open earlier than 10 a.m. or close later than 4 or 5 p.m. So, you really just have to pray you get an overcast day or the sun decides to hide behind a cloud, if you want to capture photos without a lot of direct/harsh sunlight.

Is photography allowed?

Generally, yes for “amateur photos” and mobile photos. But a permit is required for professional photography, wedding shoots, engagement shoots etc. For bloggers (which might be considered somewhere in the middle), you can bring your professional camera, but best to ask the owners of the farm what is and isn’t permitted beforehand. Don’t show up and expect to conduct an entire photo shoot in the middle of the Lavender fields for an hour, unless you’ve gotten prior permission! It’s also generally prohibited to bring professional gear, like tripods, light shields, reflectors and the like.

Are there admission prices?

Yes! Be prepared for reasonable admission prices to the lavender farms. These help to support the upkeep of the farms and keep them in business. Prices can range from $10 to $15. Check individual websites for info.

What should you wear to the Lavender fields?

Dress appropriately for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. Loose fitting and breathable clothing is great on especially hot days!

Hope you guys have found this guide to be helpful and let me know if you have any other questions in the comments below! Happy Lavender visiting!