Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2009 | Page 79

GARDENING

life

USA learns the Wight way
to grow lavender
When the leader of the Western world need help, the
Abbott brothers consulted their diaries
The USA likes to be biggest and
best at everything. So when the
lavender farmers of its huge
lavender-growing region were
looking for some expert help, to
where else should it turn but the
Isle of Wight Lavender Farm?
“We were asked to be key
speakers at the International
Lavender Conference of
America,” says Paul Abbott, who
with his brother Ruben runs the
business. “We had 10 months
notice, but it was still pretty
daunting. At events in the UK
you’d expect to speak for maybe
three quarters of an hour. There,
the key speaker speaks for an
hour and a half! And that’s to an
audience of 500-600 people.”
It may seem surprising that
America has even heard of the
Isle of Wight, but the reputation
of the Lavender Farm has
grown hugely in recent years.
Repeated success at Chelsea
has established for the Abbott
brothers a following among
horticulturalists, reinforced by
their determination constantly
to come up with new ideas.
“The president of the RHS (Royal
Horticultural Society) said we
were a great company to follow
for our new ideas,” says Paul
proudly.
As well as four days of
speaking at the conference,
Paul and Ruben gave practical
demonstrations and even
after-dinner speeches in the
evenings. “Those we made quite
light-hearted,” said Paul. And
he didn’t come across that much
talked-of mismatch between the

American sense of humour and
our own. “I think they found us
quite amusing,” he grins.
The week-long conference took
place in Sequim in Washington
State, which Paul says is unlike
anywhere he’d ever been. It is
the principle lavender growing
area for the whole of the USA,
so there are about 30 or so
lavender farms in a small area.
Speakers are invited to speak on
propagation, marketing etc. “We
met up with a worldwide expert
from Oregon State, as well as
farmers from Norway. After
hearing us speak people would
say ‘Hey, can you pop down to
see us in Texas while you’re over
here!’ “
People from
organisations of
all sizes seemed
to hang on the
words of our
Isle of Wight
growers. “It was
our propagation
techniques
they were really
interested in.
They’re way
behind us in that
respect.”
In practical
demonstrations
about methods
of cutting
he used his
characteristic
humour to put
his message
across. “I took
the Michael a
bit, which helped

people to really relax into it.”
As well as imparting a lot of
knowledge and expertise, the
Abbott brother learnt something
about growing in different
climates, and they brought
back a great little de-budding
machine. More importantly to
the nation, thanks to them the
National Collection at Wisley has
grown by about 30 varieties.
Isle of Wight Lavender,
Staplehurst Grange, Staplers
Road, Isle of Wight PO30 2LU.
Tel: [phone]

The Island's new funky radio station www.wightFM.com

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