Graysmarsh Farm is another lavender grower in Sequim, though they also have seasonal berries. The lavender is a part of their “U pick” operations; visitors can pick lavender bouquets as well as summer strawberries, raspberries, and other berries.
As with our other farms, the lavender attracts photographers.
Graysmarsh fields are beautiful because, well, lavender. Though some other farms include features to enhance photo-taking or encourage visitors to linger, this location is a farm that focuses on its commodities. If you love lavender, that’s plenty.
This is another plant that I’m growing this year: scarlet runner bean. I planted it because it attracts hummingbirds. I wasn’t sure what the beans would be like but they’re delicious…and abundant.
I wasn’t sure how well it would do in our climate but I needn’t have worried. It’s thriving. We enjoy the beans and the hummingbirds are visiting the blossoms. Win win.
Years ago I planted crocosmia bulbs, a showy red flower, specifically for the visitor above. Hummingbirds love them.
Both of these shots were taken at some distance so they’re not crisp. But in this one you can see a blurry second hummingbird attempting an incursion into the blossoms. In a heartbeat both birds were off in flight as the resting one chased off the interloper.
These are the blossoms of contention. Perfect color and shape for attracting hummers. Deer also love them and happily nip off the flowers as soon as they bloom. Three rounds of deer spray preserved the remaining flowers you see.
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Sequim is blessed with good growing conditions for lavender and July is the peak season for enjoying it. We have over a dozen farms of varying sizes, each with its own personality and offerings. Purple Haze, which I’m showing you today, is one of the oldest and one I always enjoy visiting.
Sequim’s annual Lavender Festival which includes music, craft sales, and lavender cultivation and distilling demonstrations at many farms, has been cancelled this year due to the pandemic.
The fields at Purple Haze are designed with an artist’s eye. They cover seven hillside acres and the property includes a gift shop and a vacation rental.
Many types of lavender are grown, including early and late varieties, and colors range from almost white to deep, rich purples. The green stripes in this shot are bushes that have already been harvested. The blossoms are available for visitors to pick. Likely, these blossoms went into some of many lavender scented products offered by Purple Haze.
Purple Haze offers ice cream and lavender-infused beverages during summer months. For us no visit would be complete without their lavender lemon custard ice cream (which has very subtle lavender undertones). Richly decadent and delicious.
Part of this tree was still standing when you last saw it last week. A big branch from it that had fallen across the adjacent trail was removed on Friday but the reduced tree remained standing.
It was a different picture on Saturday morning. The remaining branches that made up the bulk of the tree splayed outward and fell in several directions, above.
This is the base of the tree. The golden colored wood is so rotted it has the weight and consistency of balsa wood and fluttered away on the breeze when we rubbed it.
And you may have noticed: there don’t appear to be any roots attached.
I’m very sorry to see this tree gone. At the same time it’s a blessing no one was injured as it went down.
