Lavender Bloom Status — 2020

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. We will update the lavender status every week, so check back!

You can also check out the Lavender Bloom Status page from 2019 here.

July 14, 2020

As the lavender bloom season is winding down, this is our final week of updates for the year. The labyrinth is nearly done blooming, with only the Hidcote Giant’s blooms hanging on, but soon to join the rest of the varieties. The Royal Velvet and Folgate rows have been completely harvested, and the other varieties are next. The Grosso in the field is still flowering, but is drying out more and more, resulting in a dim color, though it is still much more purple than the labyrinth. After a successful U-Cut experience, a lot was harvested from the field, though there’s much much more to go. We will complete harvesting the Grosso in August. If anyone is interested in helping out, stay tuned for our lavender harvest labor outreach on our blog! Thanks for tuning in for our updates and be sure to check back again next year!

July 7, 2020

This week, the lavender blooms in the labyrinth are coming to an end. We’ve finished harvesting the Royal Velvet lavender in the center ring, and we are starting on the next ring of Folgate soon. On the outer ring, the Hidcote Giant is going on strong, blooming bright purple and buzzing with bees. It will begin to  taper off very soon. The Grosso out in the field is growing large, tall, and very purple. We had our first weekend of Lavender U-Cut last weekend of the Grosso! We are looking forward to this upcoming weekend for another round of U-Cut. The purple fields are so enchanting, and the fragrance of lavender is everywhere! Come on out, and make sure to make a reservation for this upcoming weekend only. See you out here on the farm!

July 1, 2020

In this week’s update on the lavender, both the Labyrinth and Grosso field are intact and purple…ish. The Labyrinth is gradually tapering off from its peak and turning brown; however, big purple blooms are still on the Hidcote Giant on the outer ring. We are beginning to harvest the Labyrinth, starting with the innermost ring of Royal Velvet. The Grosso in the field is thick, full and exploding with blooms. It is emanating with purple and is ready for harvest! This weekend, and next, we are opening the field to visitors for U-Cut. Be sure to reserve a parking spot for these days (July 3 & 5th and July 10th and 12th) on Eventbrite.

June 23, 2020

Reporting from the fields this week, most of the lavender is tapering off at a steep decline. Fortunately, the Hidcote Giant and Grosso lavender is still peaking as they were the last to bloom, while all the other varieties are setting out their last few flowers and are turning brown. That being said, the vibrant purple hue from the labyrinth is dimming in color. However, the lavender fragrance is still full in the air and the Labyrinth and Grosso field is purple and lovely! The next two weeks are the remaning opportunities to capture the purple before it gets harvested. Be sure to come by when we’re open to take pictures and enjoy while it lasts. Click photos to zoom in.

June 16, 2020

This week, the Labyrinth is beginning to dim in color, though it is still in peak lavender bloom. The Hidcote Giant and Grosso lavender are unfurling and blooming out between 30-50%, as the Munstead, White Spike, Melissa, and Folgate, Violet Intrigue, and Royal Velvet are nearing the end of their cycle. Be sure to come out soon to capture the full purple brilliance before the lavender tapers down and gets harvested. This is the perfect window to come take pictures next to the lavender for a photoshoot. Be sure to click the images to enlarge the shot for closer detail, and visit us soon before the lavender is finished blooming!

June 9, 2020

Finally, all of our Lavender is blooming! The Hidcote Giant and Grosso have set out their first flowers, as the Munstead, Folgate, Melissa, Royal Velvet, White Spike, and Violet Intrigue build in size, color, and fragrance. We are officially in peak bloom and are excited to have people come out to enjoy this special time. Be sure to click on our new photos to enlarge the shot. Hope to see you here at the farm!

June 2, 2020

This week, the lavender is beginning to really glow as the majority of the lavender varieties are in bloom. The purple aura is a sight to see, and the bees are busy at work! The Hidcote Giant and Grosso are the only two varieties that have not yet bloomed, though their buds are deepening in color and are growing in size.  We are looking forward to full peak-bloom coming in the next week or two. Stay tuned, and come on down to the farm to see for yourself! Just to note – click on any of the photos below to enlarge it.

May 26, 2020

With the summer heat rolling in, the lavender is nearing peak bloom and, boy, the blooms are already busting out of their seams! All of the varieties have open blooms except Hidcote Giant and Grosso. The bees are bustling and the fragrance emanating from the labyrinth is rich. Click on any photo to enlarge it. And make sure to stop by to see and smell for yourself!

May 20, 2020

After a week with several inches of rain and cool temperatures, the lavender bloom is just starting to show. With higher temperatures 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 but not open yet.  The buds on the Hidcote Giant are just starting to color up and the Grosso lavender has buds,  but no color. Click on any photo to enlarge it.

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.