Iowa All Over: Heavenly scents in the Loess Hills

HARRISON COUNTY — From their fertile soil on the Loess Hills Lavender Farm grows the lavender plant — a fragrant and delicate plant with a wide range of uses and applications.

Four hours west of Cedar Rapids in Harrison County, in Missouri Valley, Loess Hills Lavender Farm is nestled amid the rolling green hills on 17 acres of land.

In 2009, Mary and Tim Hamer began growing lavender there after a visit to Sequim, Wash., during that town's lavender festival.

Mary grew up in Little Sioux, and her husband is from nearby Pisgah, in Harrison County. The couple lived in Nebraska for 25 years and then in southern Iowa before returning to the Loess Hills in 2009.

As soon as visitors turn in to the farm, they are greeted by purple flags. A row of light purple chairs face the fields.

After opening in 2009, Loess Hills saw five years of gorgeous blooms. That was until the winter of 2013-14, when frigid conditions killed almost all the plants.

So the couple started over again.

Lavender typically blooms in June and continues until it freezes, Mary said. The season's lavender are not yet in full bloom as excessive rain and cold this spring have delayed the process, but she expects them to be later this summer.

But the plants that are beginning to flower have lavender's signature vivid color and pleasant smell.

The soil in the Loess Hills is ideal for growing lavender because it is naturally high in alkaline and has limestone in it, Mary explained.

'It also percolates the water away like sand, and the one thing that will kill lavender is wet feet,' she said.

A simple touch of the buds leaves a hint of the divine smell on your hands. Besides the 'fabulous smell,' Mary most enjoys lavender for all its uses.

'It's anti-bacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, anesthetic, it helps with insomnia, anxieties,' Mary said. 'I've seen it in action, and it's really pretty cool.'

The farm distills the plant for its lavender oil to add to the farms' products. The farms' gift shop sells lavender butter balm, lotion, mint lip balm, bath and shower gel and soap, among other items.

The lotions are mixed and poured on site.

The farm attracts visitors from across the state and nearby Omaha. Today, along with the lavender plants, the farm is home to a hoop house and a pergola where weddings and other special events can be held. One bride cut 18 bouquets for her wedding, Mary said.

In the future, the Hamers plan to diversify their crops to include the coneflower and other plants.

What Mary enjoys most about the lavender farm is being back home, though.

'It was always our desire to come back to the Hills,' she said. 'These hills are really special. Once you've got that hill dirt in your blood, it's hard to be away from it. You just love these hills.

'That and you add in some beautiful lavender, you're just really blessed.'

If you go

What: Loess Hills Lavender Farm

Where: 2278 Loess Hills Trail, Missouri Valley

Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday through Saturday; 1 to 5 p.m., Sunday, by appointment Monday through Wednesday, May through October.

For more information: (712) 642-9016 or www.loesshillslavender.com