life - COUNTRYSIDE & FARMING
Lavender - Sugarberry Ruffles
A Lavender for every
day of the week.
Not content with farming
and producing probably the
best selection of Lavender in
the country, brothers Paul
and Rueben Abbott and Pauls
wife Jackie of ‘Isle of Wight
Lavender’ are holding their
breath, hoping that their
application, to be recognised
as a National Collection of
Lavender, will be accepted in
May of this year.
I called into see how far the farm
has come since I visited them twelve
months ago, and was amazed at the
progress and the enthusiasm both
Paul/Jackie and Rueben still have
for the lavender that they produce.
They now grow over two hundred
varieties, which is increasing all the
time. Paul & Jackie had just got back
from their trip to America, and was
preparing the cuttings of over 30
types ready for propagation before
heading off to Spain and Portugal.
There is currently twenty seven
acres of land in production with,
46
plans to increase this to 100 acres,
including four acres of self pick
lavender,
allowing
customers
to select and pick some of their
favourite colours and scents.
They have produced their own
varieties which are hardy, highly
scented and offering the gardeners
‘WOW’ factor, ideal for use as
hedging, bedding plants or in pots
on a patio.
Over a cup of tea and some very
Left to Right: ANG Imperial Gem, x-int Alba, ANG Princess Blue
Island Life - www.isleofwight.net