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, usually peaking in mid- to late June. Below we have photos of the current bloom status. Click on any photo to zoom in. We will update the lavender status every week, so check back!
Lavender Bloom Status — 2019
July 31, 2019
Lavender bloom is drawing to a close, but there is still one more chance to see the bloom. The outer ring of the labyrinth (Hidcote Giant) and the 1-acre field of Grosso lavender are still blooming, but will be harvested next week. But lavender isn’t the only attraction–Bees N Blooms is a flower farm! The summer flowers are gorgeous now, and the pollinators are out in force.
July 4, 2019
Hidcote Giant (the outer ring of the labyrinth) and Grosso (our production lavender field) are peaking this week. We have started harvesting the Munstead and Folgate, in order to capture the deep purple buds before they fade in the sun. White Spike and Melissa are past their prime for bloom, but are still contributing to the fragrance. Royal Velvet and Violet Intrigue are just past full bloom, but still looking nice and purple.
June 13, 2019
The labyrinth is a delight for the senses this week! You can hear the hum of busy bees foraging for delicious lavender nectar, inhale the intoxicating fragrance, and visually experience the complex mix of deep purple, pink and white flower blooms. Each one of the seven lavender varieties has open blooms this week.
June 7, 2019
With the hot weather coming on strong, the lavender bloom is accelerating. All varieties except Hidcote Giant and Grosso have about 10-30% open blooms, and the bees are taking advantage of the bounty! It’s looking very purple out in the labyrinth, with the vibrant, rich hues of Munstead and Folgate dominating the landscape.
May 30, 2019
We’re starting to get a little warmth, which is creating some blooming lavender buds this week. The bees are starting to explore the flowers a bit too. Folgate, Munstead, White Spike and Royal Velvet have some open buds. Hidcote Giant and Violet Intrigue blooms are turning purple, and the Melissa and Grosso stems are elongating, but buds are not yet open.
May 22, 2019
After a week with 4 inches of rain (!) and cool temperatures, the lavender bloom hasn’t expanded much from last week. With some sun predicted for next week, we expect the bloom to get better every day. Folgate, White Spike, and Munstead are looking quite full, with good color and buds well-formed. The buds on the Hidcote Giant are just starting to color up and the Grosso lavender has buds, but no color.
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 white lavender that blooms at bit later, with taller spikes of white 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 a hybrid 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 end 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.
