Lavender Bloom Status — 2023

The Lavender Labyrinth at Bees N Blooms has seven different varieties of lavender, with each of the seven circles having a different variety of lavender. We also have our production lavender field that is planted with Grosso lavender. Lavender bloom season in Sonoma County is from mid-May to early August, with most of the varieties in the labyrinth usually peaking in early to mid-June and the outer ring of the labyrinth and the Grosso lavender production field peaking in late June to mid-July. Each week during bloom, we take photos of each variety of lavender, so you can see what’s in bloom before your visit.

You can also check out the Lavender Bloom Status pages from 2022 here, 2021 here, 2020 here and 2019 here.

July 6, 2023

As the weather finally starts to heat up, most varieties are past peak bloom and are ready for harvest. Hidcote Giant is still holding on to that bright purple, while the rest of the varieties in the labyrinth are fading. The Grosso field, however, is looking absolutely stunning as it reaches its peak bloom just in time for the last weekend of Lavender Daze and the U-Cut experience.

June 29, 2023

Peak time for Grosso is here! Just as we start our second weekend of U-Cut, the Grosso field is looking elegantly purple. This is the first week you can really see the wave of royal purple stretching over our Grosso field. Our French variety, Hidcote Giant (the outer ring of the labyrinth), has finally reached its peak bloom as well, and is looking marvelous! Its English relatives in the other circles of the labyrinth, however, are reaching maturity, and have passed their peak bloom. We will start to see most varieties lose that bright purple, and exchange it for a duller, softer purple. White Spike and Melissa are drying out, and we are nearing harvest for these varieties.

June 22, 2023

A big thank you to the chill! Peak bloom has lasted longer than usual thanks to the colder weather this season. All varieties are still radiantly purple. Folgate and Munstead are still absolutely breathtaking. The Grosso field is reaching peak bloom just in time for the U-Cut Experience starting this weekend!

June 15, 2023

Holy purple! All varieties are looking radiant. Hidcote Giant is really starting to pop while the English Lavenders are still bright and vibrant. The bees have found the blossoms, and there is a quiet hum of buzzing throughout the labyrinth. They have especially taken a liking to Folgate. The Grosso field is also starting to foreshadow the brilliant purple to come!

June 8, 2023

Though the chilly weather has yet to leave us, all of our lavender varieties are blossoming beautiful shades of purple and white. The lavender flowers have opened on most varieties in the labyrinth and the bees have noticed!  The benefit of this cool weather is that the bloom will last longer. Folgate and Munstead are looking especially vibrant, even on an overcast day! Hidcote Giant has seemed to have almost caught up to its English counterparts.

June 1, 2023

Peak bloom is here! This week, we are expecting the brightest purple we have seen yet this season. All English Lavenders are reaching their peak bloom, while Hidcote Giant is starting to make its appearance. Both Folgate and Munstead are looking spectacular, and spreading a purple wave through the labyrinth. If you look closely, the Grosso field is starting to show its colors.

May 25, 2023

Chilly evenings haven’t hindered the purple wave beginning to flood the labyrinth. Munstead and White Spike are still blooming quickly and Folgate and Violet Intrigue just might have caught up! Still waiting on Hidcote Giant to make its grand debut.

May 16, 2023

With the cold, rainy spring, the lavender is about a week behind relative to the last few years. Bloom is starting, with a purple tinge to the labyrinth. Munstead and White Spike varieties are getting ramped up first, with Folgate and Violet Intrigue not far behind! Hidcote Giant, being a French Lavender, is always a few weeks behind the rest of the English lavender varieties in the labyrinth.

April, 2023

The lavender is greening up, with a big growth spurt as it comes out of winter dormancy. We’ll start taking regular weekly photos starting in mid-May, so check back!

Hidcote Giant

The lavender in the outer ring of the labyrinth is Hidcote Giant, a lavandin hybrid.* One of the largest varieties of lavender, Hidcote Giant lives up to its name, forming a 4-foot wide by 4-foot tall bush, with 2-4 inch long bright violet blooms on 24-30 inch stems. With its long stem and intoxicating fragrance, Hidcote Giant  is a favorite both for making wands and for culinary use. Blooming in early summer, Hidcote Giant is lovely in both herb gardens and as a landscaping border.

Munstead

The second ring from the outside of the labyrinth as well as the sides of the entrance path are composed of Munstead lavender. Munstead is an angustifolia variety*, which forms a 2-2.5-foot tall shrub with stems 6-8 inches in length and bright purple blooms. With its robust fragrance and compact stem, Munstead lavender is a favorite for sachets and small dried bouquets, as well as a staple for culinary uses. Blooming once in the spring and again in late summer, Munstead lavender is a landscaping favorite for both its color and its fragrance.

White Spike  and Alba

The third ring from the outside of the labyrinth contains White Spike and Alba lavenders. White Spike is a smaller angustifolia lavender* that forms a 2-foot wide and tall shrub with bright white blooms and long stems, at 16-20 inches. With its elegant flowers and peppery scent, White Spike is a favorite in floral arrangements and for culinary use. Blooming in early summer, White Spike is a beautiful addition to any herb or cut flower garden. Alba is a larger very light purple lavender that blooms at bit later, with taller spikes of light lavender-colored buds.

Folgate

The fourth ring from the outside of the labyrinth contains mostly Folgate lavender, with a few Phenomenal lavender plants sprinkled in. Folgate is an angustifolia lavender* with an almost iridescent periwinkle bloom, forming a 3-foot wide and tall shrub with stems of 8-10 inches. With a beautiful scent and high oil content, Folgate is commonly used for lavender oil production. Blooming once in summer, Folgate is both a beautiful and practical choice for a garden.

Melissa

The fifth ring from the outside of the labyrinth contains Melissa lavender. Melissa is an angustifolia lavender*, forming a 2-foot tall and wide shrub with delicate light pink blooms and stems of 10-12 inches. It is a favorite for culinary use, as it has a slightly peppery flavor. Melissa blooms just once in early summer, and is beautiful in cut flower bouquets and a top choice for savory recipes with meats, salad dressings and marinades.

Violet Intrigue

The sixth ring from the outside of the labyrinth is composed of Violet Intrigue, an angustifolia lavender.* Violet Intrigue has lovely dark violet purple blooms and 10-12 inch stems on a 2-foot tall and wide shrub. This variety blooms once in the spring. With its strong stems and beautiful blooms, this lavender is an excellent choice for wands, wreaths and sachets.

Royal Velvet Lavender

The innermost ring of the labyrinth is composed of Royal Velvet lavender. Royal Velvet is an angustifolia lavender* with velvety soft, dark royal purple blooms and 12-15 inch stems with gray-green foliage. Blooming once in spring and again in late summer, Royal Velvet is beautiful in both fresh cut and dried bouquets and for making lavender sugar, lavender lemonade and dessert dishes.

Grosso Lavender

On one acre in the “North Block” of the farm, we are growing a type of lavender called, ‘Grosso’, the most widely planted lavender in the world. The plant grows as a 3-foot wide by 3-foot tall shrub and is renowned for its fragrant dark flowers that yield large amounts of lavender oil. Its flower spikes are rich with nectar for pollinators. This later-blooming variety is at its peak near the middle of July. A lavendin hybrid*, Grosso can only be propagated from stem cuttings, as the seeds are sterile.

*Lavender belongs to the mint family. “True lavenders” (Lavandula angustifolia) can be grown from seed and are often referred to as English lavenders. Hybrids created by crossing Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula latifolia are called lavandins (Lavandula x intermedia) produce sterile seed and must be propagated from cuttings.