Lavender Festival

This past weekend, we were out exploring the Hill Country and I learned about the Lavender Fields and upcoming Festival. So I thought I would share it with you.

The Texas Hill Country is known for its rough landscape and winding rivers. But, alas, this rocky limestone land has not been highly sought after for its agricultural use.

French Connection

In the early 1990s, National Geographic photographer, Robb Kendrick, was shooting a story about the Lavender Fields in Provence, France. Robb noticed that the hilly terrain and the scorching hot summers there were similar to that found at his land near Blanco in the Texas Hill Country. He talked with the farmers and learned more more about the lavender fields.

Soon after Robb returned from that project, he began experimenting with different types of lavender. The dry weather and alkaline limestone soils around Blanco make the area particularly suitable for growing lavender.

New Hill Country Industry

In 1999, with advice from his farmer friends in France, Robb and his wife, Jeannie Ralston, planted two acres of lavender. They opened Hill Country Lavender, the first commercial lavender farm in Texas, pioneering the way for a new agricultural industry in the Texas Hill Country. After planting their lavender, the Kendricks gave seminars to others who wanted to grow the beautiful flowers.

The Blanco Lavender Growers Association has remained a united group, building upon the experiences of the Kendricks. These pioneers have endured periods of non-stop rain and periods of non-existent rain, each time more committed to this new agricultural crop. They readily share each new experience with each other and with guests to the Texas Hill Country who share their love of lavender.