Lavender Bloom Status — 2025

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 the English lavender varieties (Folgate, Munstead, Melissa, and White Spike) peaking in early to mid-June and the French lavender varieties (Hidcote Giant, Grosso, Phenomenal, Gros Bleu, Provence, and Exceptional!) 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 2024 here, 2023 here, 2022 here, 2021 here, 2020 here and 2019 here.

June 12, 2025

Peak bloom is still here, and the Labyrinth is looking amazing! Right now, the English lavenders (Folgate, Munstead, Melissa, and White Spike) are showing off their vibrant, beautiful buds, but in the following weeks, they will begin to fade. The French lavenders (Hidcote Giant, Grosso, Phenomenal, Gros Bleu, Provence, and Exceptional!) are a little behind the English lavenders, but they will be entering their peak bloom soon.

June 4, 2025

Peak bloom is here! The weather has cooled down a bit and the Labyrinth is buzzing with sounds of very happy bees. The buds have opened and all varieties are exhibiting vibrant colors of different shades of purple, white, and light pink. 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 29, 2025

It’s beginning to get hotter and the Labyrinth is starting its peak bloom period! The Folgate and Munstead lavenders are going very strong, showing their beautiful bright blue-purple blooms. The White Spike and Melissa lavenders are also putting on a wonderful display, showing off their light pink and white blooms. Hidcote Giant, being a French lavender, is always a few weeks behind the rest of the English lavenders in the Labyrinth. Phenomenal, Gros Bleu, and Grosso lavenders (French lavenders) are purple but not open yet.

May 22, 2025

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! The lavender buds on the Munstead and Folgate are brilliant purple and are starting to open. White Spike and Melissa are also budding out nicely. It’s purpling up here on the farm! Our French lavenders (Hidcote Giant, Phenomenal, Grosso, and Gros Blue) are always a few weeks behind the English lavender varieties, so we don’t expect to see much purple from them just yet.

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 purple 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 the middle of 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 brilliant blue-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 in the early 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 8-10 inch long stems. 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 a 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 also located between the labyrinth entrance pathways. Folgate is an angustifolia lavender* with an blue-purple blooms, 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 8-10 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.

Phenomenal

The sixth ring from the outside of the labyrinth is composed of Phenomenal, a French lavender hybrid that is said to be “the new Grosso,” meaning that it is a good essential oil producer, but better color and longer-lasting blooms. Phenomenal has lovely blue-purple blooms and 18-20 inch stems on a 3-foot tall and wide shrub. This variety blooms in the middle of summer. With its strong stems and beautiful blooms, this lavender is an excellent choice for wands, wreaths and sachets.

Gros Bleu Lavender

The seventh ring from the outside of the labyrinth is composed of Gros Bleu lavender. In fall of 2023, we replaced this circle with Gros Bleu, so the plants you see are 2-year-old Gros Bleu. Gros Bleu is a hybrid French lavender with an intoxicating fragrance and beautiful, tapered, dark blue-purple spikes. It has long stems, 18 – 20 inches, on a 3-foot tall and wide shrub. Gros Bleu is great for sachets, unique bundles—both fresh and dried—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 medium purple 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.

Provence Lavender

We have a small amount of Provence lavender planted in the Skirt, near the Farm Stand. The plant grows as a 4-5 foot wide by 4-5 foot tall shrub with light purple bushy blooms. Provence is a classic lavender variety, loved by pollinators. This later-blooming variety is at its peak in early to mid-July. A lavendin hybrid*, Provence can only be propagated from stem cuttings, as the seeds are sterile.

Exceptional! Lavender

We have a small amount of Exceptional! lavender planted in the Skirt, near the Farm Stand. The plant grows as a 3 foot wide by 3 foot tall shrub with white 2-3 inch long blooms. A lavendin hybrid*, Exceptional! blooms in the middle of summer and is a patented variety, meaning that it cannot be propagated for sale from cuttings without paying a patent fee. Exceptional! is great for essential oil and in flower arrangements.

*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.