Does Lavender Attract Bees?

Lavender is one of those plants that not only smells great but is beautiful too.

It is personally one of my favorite things to see (and smell) in the garden and I’m pretty sure the majority of you would agree with me.

Not only is lavender a popular essential oil these days, but it is also one of those blooms that are vivid in color and virtually low-maintenance, as long as it was established well in the first place.

One question that many gardeners have is: Does Lavender Attract Bees? If so, what types of bees does it attract?

Well, let’s take a look at those questions in the article below.

Does lavender attract bees?

Yes, it certainly does. In fact, lavender is one of those plants that has lots of great uses, and attracting bees to your garden is one of them. Why is this so important? Well, if you are an avid gardener, you probably already know the answer.

However, if you’re new to gardening, then take note.

Bees really are essential to a healthy, sustainable garden. Why? When the bee (or in most cases, bees) come to visit your gardening area, they are traveling from one flower to the next, looking for nectar.

As they do this, they are leaving behind pollen, which in turn helps our plants to grow and produce food and other rich elements needed for survival.

Despite what you may have heard or read, bees really are our friends, not our enemies.

What type of bees does lavender attract?

Lavender can attract many types of bees. It is a flower that is attractive to the little buzzers for a few reasons.

First off, bees are said to be more attracted to yellow, blue or purple flowers, and when you think about that lavender in your backyard, you can undoubtedly see that it would fit the bill through the eyes of that honeybee.

Also, it is known that long-tongued bees tend to be drawn to varieties in the mint family, and if you didn’t already know, lavender is a member of the mint family.

So it is obvious in these cases that your lavender plants, will be quite appealing to any bees roaming around your garden, and more in likely, attract new buzzers as well.

However, now that we know why they will come for a visit, which types of bees can you expect to see humming around your plants?

Well, lavender tends to attract very beneficial buzzers, such as bumblebees, honey bees, and mason bees.

In fact, they are known to be very hard workers in the bee community, so you can be confident that your flowers will love it as they take advantage of the pollination.

Remember, bees don’t discriminate.

As long as you have some lavender in your garden, you can be sure to see those critters buzz around in no time.

When can I expect my lavender to bloom?

This is a great question that many people ask; When can I expect my lavender to bloom? Well, the truth is, it depends on where you live.

Why?

Depending on whether you have a harsh or mild winter can make an impact as to when to expect your lavender to bloom.

For example, if you usually have rough winters, it may take a little longer to see your lavender sprout. However, if you live in an area where the winters are pretty mild, you may be able to have lavender in your garden (almost) year-round.

English lavender is the most commonly found in home gardens today. It is also known for the rich, quality oils it produces in comparison to other types of lavender.

While you can expect it to bloom between June and July, it has been known to bloom early, even sometimes appearing as early as May.

This, of course, is more likely to occur if you live in a mild weather climate, so I wouldn’t get too excited if you’re are is known for harsh winters. In that case, expect blooms more toward the end of June.

Once your delicate blooms do start to show, you can expect to see them for at least 3-4 weeks time. Afterward, you should see them again toward the end of summer or early fall.

Spanish lavender, also known as Butterfly lavender, is also a great choice to add to your garden. They too can be seen as early as May, with another appearance during June and then later on again in late summer or the beginning of autumn.

Lavandin is also another option to compliment your backyard with blooms generally appearing a month or so after your English lavender first blossoms. Thus in mid-summer, July or August, you can enjoy a whole new class of lavender right in your own yard.

Since each of these plants provides a bit of a different scent and look, if you are diligent, you can have some lavender blooms in your garden throughout the spring and summertime, attracting a multitude of bees to pollinate your plants, as well as keeping your grounds beautiful with a sweet-smelling scent.

Keep in mind though, if you don’t already have some lavender planted in your yard, make sure to properly add it to your garden in the fall, so it can get established during the autumn and winter months and be ready to go in spring!

It is not a high maintenance plant by any means, but accurate planting is important, as good drainage is crucial to the well-being of lavender.

Final thoughts…

So now that we have discussed the benefits bees can bring to your garden, as well as the benefits of lavender, should you plant lavender in your garden?

In my personal opinion, absolutely!

As I have already mentioned, lavender will not only bring a rich scent to the area, but it will be pleasing to your eye and your neighbors as well.

And as a low maintenance flower, it is a great choice for first-time gardeners. But above all, it will invite those beneficial buzzes to your garden, which will only add to the overall beauty of it.