For 35 years, James Maris worked as a general contractor in downtown Manhattan. But he had a secret passion for lavender.

"I started growing it at home," says Maris, who resides in Rockland County. "I wanted to take it to the next stage and get a farm for my retirement."

In 2018, he purchased Roanoke Lavender Farm in Riverhead where he runs a farm stand on the property featuring lavender plants and products.

"Lavender has a nice scent to it and it’s very relaxing," says Maris. "I can’t say anything bad about lavender."

The purple flower is coming into full bloom in mid- to late-June. Head out east to buy a batch, attend a festival or take some photos.

663 Wading River Rd., Manorville

Take part in the third annual Lavender Festival at Waterdrinker Manorville from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 7-8 and displays remain up through June 15.

"We grow the lavender in a greenhouse setting and then we bring it out into our fields where we set up our photo-ops with the lavender in raised garden beds throughout 2 acres," says co-owner Marc Weiss. "Visitors will be able to travel over a bridge backdropped with tons of planted lavender as well as other field props like rustic doors, bicycles, vintage cars, old tractors and different pergolas."

A French market will feature more than 35 local vendors each day selling lavender goods ranging from candles, cookies and jewelry to pickles, ceramics and crocheted items. Attendees can buy food and drinks at the food trucks. 

Expect live music on both days featuring local acoustic performers John Sapienza and Christian Monte.

Visit Activity Alley which contains a series of miniature playhouses in Tulip Town, jumbo jumping pads, a nine-hole miniature golf course, an obstacle course and wooden play area containing a train, pirate ship and fire truck. See a series of barnyard animals such as Nigerian dwarf goats, alpacas, Kunekune pigs, chickens, sulcata tortoises, peacocks and emus.

East Marion Farm: 7540 Main Rd., East Marion; Calverton Farm: 47 Manor Rd., Calverton

Head out into the fields for a photo-op among the lavender at locations in East Marion and Calverton.

"Our fields look like a sea of purple when they are blooming and the fragrance is intoxicating," says co-owner Chanan Rozenbaum. 

Lavender by the Bay grows multiple varieties of English and French lavender. "The English lavender blooms mid-June to the end of the month," says Rozenbaum. "The French lavender bloom starts at the end of June through the middle of July. Sometimes, it can even go into August depending on Mother Nature."

The lavender is sold in fresh ($10-$12) or dried ($15-$20) bunches. The shop sells up to 30 products including lavender plants (starting at $8), soap ($9), essential oils ($14), pillow mist ($20) and homemade lavender honey ($16).

"The look of the actual flowers can vary as well," says Rozenbaum. "Some are purple, some are pink, some are white and some are even blue."

3360 Sound Ave., Riverhead

Come to Riverhead where the English, French and Spanish lavender is organic. 

The lavender is sold in multiple-size pots: small ($15), medium ($20) and large ($30). There are also dried lavender sachets (starting at $6), soap (starting at $6), oils (starting at $9.99) and 7 oz. candle ($24.99) for sale.

"People love to hang sachets in their car because of fragrance," says Kelly. "You rub it and it activates the seeds to give off the scent. They last for years."

The farm also has goats, chickens and ducks that visitors can feed as well as an acre of sunflowers later in the season and farm fresh eggs for sale ($7.50 per dozen).

132 Ryerson Ave., Manorville

Wander through the lavender fields and pick your own at this festival. Find lavender merchandise for sale, children's activities such as face painting and crafts, a vendor market with handcrafted arts and crafts, live music, food trucks and beer and wine tastings.

Lavender grows in the sensory garden near the main greenhouse at Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park in Oyster Bay.

"Most of the lavender that grows here is English lavender, which needs a cool and moist environment with well drained organic soil. It likes full sun exposure with soil that’s not too dry but not too wet," says Vincent Simeone, director of Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park.

Over at Old Westbury Gardens, the lavender grows all along the fence in the Cottage Garden.

"Lavender is a hearty plant. Once you get it established, it’s very carefree," says head grower Scott Lucas. "As they flower, you need to cut them back a bit and you can get another flowering period toward August."