Lavender Bloom Status — 2024

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.

The bloom progression is different each year, depending mostly on the weather. A cool spring will prolong the bloom and very hot days will speed it up. You can also check out the Lavender Bloom Status pages from 2023 here, 2022 here, 2021 here, 2020 here and 2019 here.

July 11, 2024

Most of the labyrinth lavender is finished with bloom and is now developing the oils that make the amazing fragrances. Hidcote Giant is finally reaching maturity! There is not much “buzz” happening in the labyrinth as the bees have now started to gravitate toward the beautiful bloom happening in the Grosso field. Our last weekend of U-Cut harvest is here, and now is the perfect time to harvest Grosso to preserve that popping purple color!

July 5, 2024

The lavender plants are holding up well in the heat, with the Grosso field just perfect for cutting. The English lavender in the labyrinth are producing seed now, which brings in the finches, as they gather food. The French lavenders in the labyrinth, Hidcote Giant and Gros Bleu, are still at peak bloom. The flower gardens are coming into their own now, and it’s fun to watch the bees working them for nectar and pollen. Click any photo to expand for a closer look.

June 27, 2024

Peak bloom for the Grosso field is finally here! There is a sea of elegant purple ready to be harvested this weekend at our first U-Cut weekend of the season. Meanwhile, in the Labyrinth, Hidcote Giant (the outer ring) is still showing off! Its English counterparts, however, have reached maturity. The bright purple has now faded to a more dull color, and both Melissa and White Spike have begun browning. Although it is sad to see peak bloom fade, the lavender is still smelling fragrant!

June 20, 2024

Woohoo! The Gross field is looking marvelous just in time for Lavender U-Cut days. The outer ring of the labyrinth, the Hidcote Giant, has reached peak bloom and is looking quite stunning. The rest of the varieties are reaching maturity. You will notice their color fade to a softer, more dull, purple.

June 15, 2024

The labyrinth is still looking good, even with this hot weather. The Folgate still looks beautifully purple, the Hidcote Giant and Gros Bleu are starting their bloom period, and the other varieties are starting to fade a bit. The Grosso field is really starting to get purple and will be perfect for U-Cut, starting June 28th.

June 6, 2024

WOW! Peak bloom is here! The labyrinth is buzzing with sounds of some very happy bees. All varieties are exhibiting vibrant colors of both purple and white. The buds have opened, and there is a beautiful sea of purple as you’re looking out over the labyrinth. It is amazing to see all varieties in their most exquisite beauty. The Grosso field is catching up to its counterparts in the labyrinth, and should be in full bloom just in time for U-Cut days!

May 31, 2024

The labyrinth is starting its peak bloom period! Munstead, Folgate, Violet Intrigue and Royal Velvet are going strong and the contrasting White Spike and Melissa lavenders are also putting on a spectacular display! The Hidcote Giant, Grosso,  and Gros Bleu (the French lavenders) are purple but not open yet. The pollinators are happy!

May 23, 2024

The lavender buds are starting to open on the Munstead and Folgate and the pollinators have discovered them! Violet Intrigue and Royal Velvet are also budding out nicely. It’s purpling up here on the farm! It’s not been too hot yet, so the lavender is loving this weather!

May 16, 2024

It has been a chilly spring! The cool weather we are having right now is going to extend the bloom period nicely. Check it out! Bloom is starting, with a purple tinge peeking out in the labyrinth. Munstead and White Spike varieties are getting ramped up first. Our varieties are blooming a week or so earlier than last season… and dare I say, absolutely beautifully! Hidcote Giant, being a French Lavender, is always a few weeks behind the rest of the English lavender varieties in the labyrinth, so we don’t expect to see much purple from them just yet.

April, 2024

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 and Gros Bleu Lavender

The innermost ring of the labyrinth is composed of Royal Velvet and Gros Bleu lavenders. We are in the process of replacing all Royal Velvet with Gros Bleu, so the small plants you see are the Gros Bleu, planted in the fall of 2023. In 2024, this circle is about half and half. 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. Gros Bleu is a hybrid French lavender with an intoxicating fragrance and beautiful, tapered, dark purple spikes. It is great for sachets, unique bundles, and essential oil.

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 in early to mid-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.