Lavender Bloom Status — 2022

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. 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 pages from 2021 here, 2020 here and 2019 here.

July 8, 2022

We are still enjoying the Grosso field’s beautiful blooms here at the farm, as well as the purple flowers of the Hidcote Giant variety around the outer ring of the labyrinth. Change is in the air! The Folgate, Munstead, and Melissa varieties in the labyrinth are all cut back, while the dry, sandy-tan buds of White Spike, Violet Intrigue, and Royal Velvet lavenders remain. The sunflowers at the west side of the field are finally popping, creating breath-taking contrast with the deep blanket of Grosso blooms.

July 1, 2022

The Grosso field is at peak bloom just in time for Fourth of July Weekend! Two snowy egrets spent their afternoon in the field today, completing a scene of breathtaking beauty. Around the labyrinth, the Melissa lavender was the first to be cut just a few days ago. Hidcote Giant along the outer ring is still in bloom, surrounded by a chorus of honeybees and bumblebees, but all the other labyrinth varieties are past their blooms. It will be harvest time soon!

June 24, 2022

Summer is officially here and our beautiful field of Grosso lavender will be back in business for U-Cut starting this weekend! The Grosso is blossoming by the minute, and the bees cannot get enough of the sweet nectar. Around the labyrinth, however, the lavender is a different story. The Hidcote Giant variety (growing on the outer ring) is in full, vibrant bloom, but all the other varieties around the labyrinth are past their peak bloom times. The purple buds on the Folgate, Munstead, and Violet Intrigue varieties are all maturing, with the flowers drying and turning a soft, earthy yellow. The Melissa is now an earthy pink, and the White Spike is a pretty, sandy color with a few small patches of late-blooming, white flowers. Last but not least, the Royal Velvet plants now have stunning, deep indigo buds, with drying flowers turning a shade of reddish brown.

June 17, 2022

It has been quite the treat to witness the lavender sway in the welcome, cool winds that have graced us this week. Underneath the puffy, white clouds, the beauty of the lavender blooms has been illuminated as each variety changes uniquely while the season rolls on. The star of the show this week is Hidcote Giant, around the outer ring of the labyrinth, with beautiful flowers popping up left and right! Munstead and White Spike are still blooming vibrantly, while the Folgate, Royal Velvet, Violet Intrigue, and Melissa buds are painted with flowers, but are subtly reaching maturity. Here at the farm, we are giddy with anticipation about Lavender U-Cut approaching, as the Grosso field seems to grow more purple and dazzling by the minute!

June 10, 2022

The weather is heating up, and the lavender is blooming beautifully! The Mustead, Folgate, Violet Intrigue, and Royal Velvet varieties are all unfurling their purple brilliance, providing contrast to the angelic, white hues of the White Spike and Melissa varieties. Hidcote Giant, which hugs the outer ring of the labyrinth, and Grosso, in the lavender field, are still taking their time, with their radiant purple blooms just about to pop. This is a wonderful time of the year to be on the farm: So much colorful vibrancy is already here and yet, still, so much awaits.

June 3, 2022

This is the first weekend of peak lavender bloom! The Folgate and Munstead lavenders are beautifully purple and the bumblebees approve! The delicate blooms of the Melissa and White Spike lavenders are starting to open as well. Royal Velvet and Violet Intrigue are classics, with blooms opening now too. The Hidcote Giant lavender in the outer ring of the labyrinth and the 1-acre Grosso lavender field have lightly colored purple buds, but no open blooms yet.

May 26, 2022

This week has been both sunny and overcast for the lavender. The heat in the early half of the week caused all but two varieties of lavender to start blooming; the Hidcote Giant and Grosso do not have any blooms at this time but their buds are getting bigger and more purple. All of the other varieties are blooming and pollinators are buzzing all around! The cooler weather in the last half of the week was a nice break; however, peak lavender bloom from all the varieties in the labyrinth is soon approaching! With good weather forecasted for this weekend, it’s an ideal time to come out to our open-farm to take in the purple lavender beauty.

May 18, 2022

Although there was cooler weather last week, this week’s significant rise in temperature has caused the lavender plants to grow much more full and tall! The Grosso in the field has widened in all around size and height with buds starting to form and change color. On the otherhand, the Munstead, Folgate, White Spike, and Melissa already have big purple buds, and white buds for the White Spike and Melissa. The Hidcote Giant on the outer circle of the labyrinth is developing more color in its buds, similar to the Grosso. Stay tuned for next week to see if any of the lavender starts to BLOOM!

May 11, 2022

This is an unusual lavender year, with an especially early bloom happening. The cold weather this week will slow it down a bit. Click on any photo to enlarge it.

Click on any photo to enlarge.

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.