flowers to fragrance
minto, on, canada
Owned and operated by the Morris family, Flowers to Fragrance was first founded in Manitoba by Aubrey and Shirley Morris approximately 20 years ago. In 2004, the farm moved to Ontario where it now grows 10 different varieties of Lavender, each grown for their own individual characteristics and fragrances: Lavandula Augustifolia (true lavender), Buena Vista, Sachet, Maillette, Royal Velvet, Twickle Purple, Hidcote, Martha Roderick, Munstead, and Lavandula x intermedia (Lavandin), Provence & Grosso.
Their lavender plants produce the essential oils used as the foundation for their natural skincare and products. Working in collaboration with a local aromatherapist, Flowers to Fragrance makes natural products that are vegan, hand-made, and without chemical preservatives.
Flowers to Fragrance knows where all of their products' ingredients are from and most are grown in their own fields. Below is a list of the other medicinal and aromatic plants grown for essential oil:
Monarda, commonly known as horsemint, bee balm, or wild bergamot, belongs to the mint family, Lamiaceae (Labiatae). The genus was named for Nicolás Monardes, a Spanish physician and botanist.
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) a.k.a. balm or balm mint, not to be confused with bee balm, is a perennial herb in the mint family Lamiaceae (Labiatae), native to center-southern Europe and the Mediterranean region.
Orange mint (Menta aquatica ‘Citrata’) is treasured for its very special fragrance. Its hint of citrus is tantalizing in fruit punches, teas and potpourris. The oil is an ingredient in chartreuse and perfumes.
Grapefruit Mint has a spearmint flavour with a strong grapefruit overtone. A hybrid of Mentha suaveolens and M. x piperita, grapefruit mint (Mentha x piperita ‘Grapefruit’) startles the taste buds with a truly unique, unsweetened grapefuit taste .
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) flower petals give delicate flavour and strong colour to salads, omelettes and cheese, and is used as a saffron substitute for rice. Invaluable in first-aid skin lotions and ointments.
Chamomile is one of the most popular herbs in the Western world. There are two plants known as chamomile: German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and Roman, or English, chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile). Both are used to calm frayed nerves, to treat various stomach problems, to relieve muscle spasms, and to treat skin conditions and mild infections.
Hyssop, a highly fragrant, early flowering form (Hyssopus officinalis), is commonly used by beekeepers to produce a rich and aromatic honey. Herb hyssop leaves are used as an aromatic condiment. The leaves have a lightly bitter taste due to its tannins, and an intense minty aroma. Due to its intensity, it is used moderately in cooking. The herb is also used to flavor liqueur, and is part of the official formulation of Chartreuse.
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) is a variety grown for its seeds. Seeds add fresh, spicy flavour to soups and stews. Main ingredient in chili sauces, curries and exotic dishes. Coriander essential oil is distilled from the seeds, dry fruit or dhania of the plant. Coriander refers specifically to the seeds of the plant where as Cilantro or Chinese Parsley really refers to just the leaves. The benefits of coriander are well documented and the medicinal uses of the seeds go back to Ancient Egypt and China. The Chinese have used coriander for hernias, dysentery, measles and nausea.