Appleton's Lavender Farm
A winding drive up and down the hills of Appleton in Knox County showcases rural Maine’s beauty. In places, the narrow road — thickly lined on each side with trees — runs under a canopy of leaves and branches. At other points, expansive clearings reveal rolling fields and the St. George River. This view has been treasured for many generations. In 2007, a local family set out on a labor of love and added another dimension of charm to this town by establishing a lavender farm. The Costigans chose a Gaelic name for this new venture: Glendarragh, meaning "Glen of the Oaks.” The oak trees provide a lovely backdrop to the farm’s main feature: long rows of lavender.
After arriving at the farm and parking in the small available lot, a sturdy, weathered barn will catch your eye almost as quickly as the colorful fields. Constructed in 1790, the old English style building was formerly used for dairy cows. There isn’t a trace of the smells one usually associates with a barn; the air inside is sweet and heavy with the scent of lavender. The building is ideal for drying cut flowers and providing space for a summer shop.
Behind the barn — and in a stretch alongside the roadway — are thousands of lavender plants of different varieties and colors. The scents and sights are idyllic. Lavender has long been enjoyed as an aid to relaxation. The Costigans, who live in the on-site farmhouse, graciously open their property during two months of the summer for visitors to leisurely roam the fields, sit in the gardens, or enjoy a picnic. Imagine having folks wander through your yard six days a week! The family not only allows it, but welcomes their guests with generosity and kindness.
This tranquil and picturesque setting is the outcome of much hard work. Whether raising pigs or growing crops of lavender, if you own a Maine farm your days will be long and your back will ache. The Glendarragh Lavender Farm is a family undertaking. Lorie and Patrick Costigan, along with their boys, are involved in every detail of the property. Together they work the land. Other members of the community are part of their team.
The choice of lavender as the farm’s main investment was made with great care and intention. The flowers are pest and disease resistant and require no spraying of chemicals. Nothing harmful is needed to produce these slender towers of fragrance. In fact, the region is benefited by attracting bees. The Costigans are working with the Maine Natural Resources Conservation Service to make their land bee-friendly. As soon as you step inside the farm’s greenhouse, the sights and sounds of many bees will demonstrate the success the Costigans have achieved in these efforts.
As I visited with Lorie in the shade of a garden, I learned that she is self-taught in this world of lavender. Her interest in gardening developed early in her childhood. Some Mainers will remember the days in which Saturday mornings meant gathering in front of the living room television to watch cartoons. As a young girl, Lorie was far more captivated with a different line-up of shows, such as The Victory Garden and This Old House on the PBS channel. Later in life, she crossed paths with various individuals who shared her passion for growing and guided her in developing the knowledge and skills that her future farm would require.
Added to her green thumb capabilities, Lorie has developed an extensive product line with the lavender grown on the farm. This includes soaps and lotions, candles and oil, sachets and pillows. The winter months are particularly full with this aspect of the work. Every item passes through Lorie’s hands. In addition to the summer shop at the farm, a year-round store is located in nearby Camden. Those unable to make a trip to one of these places — or those who want to remember their special visit — can take advantage of the Glendarragh’s online store. The next best thing to walking the fields of a lavender farm is enjoying a bit of it in your home.
My thanks to the Costigan family and their staff for making this beautiful visit possible.
With this post, my adventure to visit every town in Maine resumes after a long pause due to the complications of COVID-19. Check out past features, and see if I’ve been to your town yet by visiting the index page which is organized by county.
