Research suggests that the larger lavender cultivars are the best for bees. You can find varieties from fragrant white to luscious dark purple. Look for the hardier and less picky Lavandula angustifolia or Lavandin x intermedia cultivars for individual plants or to make a lovely hedge.

What is the best lavender to attract bees?

Highly bred varieties of lavender, including grosso, hidcote giant and gros blue were the most attractive to bumblebees, along with large single-flowered dahlias.

Do bees prefer English or French lavender?

Bees love lavender. This fragrant herb provides nectar for foraging bees from spring and through summer. From personal observation, they seem to like both English lavender and French lavender and hybrids.

Do all lavender plants attract bees?

Plants for Bees: Lavender

If you ever wondered, does lavender attract bees, then you'll be pleased to know it's a great addition. Lavender is one of the most versatile plants on our list, ideal for gardens, pots, flowerbeds and anywhere else you want to include it.

Is Lavender Hidcote good for bees?

Good varieties for bees are: Lavender Edelweiss, Lavender Gros Bleu, Lavender Hidcote Giant, Lavender Melissa Lilac and Lavender Imperial Gem. Other good plants include Mahonia Media, Lonicera Fragrantissima, Cotoneaster, Pyracantha and Berberis Darwinii.

These are the best Honey plants for bees!

Is Hidcote lavender the same as English lavender?

Most of us are familiar with English and French lavenders, but what is lavender Hidcote? It belongs to the English group, which is probably the most well known. These are native to the Mediterranean but Hidcote is the hardiest of the English cultivars.

Do bees like Spanish lavender?

Smaller in stature (about 18 inches tall and wide), it blooms for a long time (it's the first to bloom in late winter) and is very attractive to bees.

Why does my lavender not attract bees?

The tubular flowers of lavender make nectar extraction harder for the shorter-tongued honey bee, which has to jam its head into each flower to get to the nectar, Nick Balfour and fellow researchers at the University of Sussex observed when studying bees visiting an experimental flower garden at the University.

Does a lavender bush attract bees?

There are varying thoughts on bees and the flavor of their honey, but since bees will travel up to 6.5 miles from their hive, unless you own half the county, few hives will have honey from only one source. But, simply put, bees love lavender in bloom, as they love anything in bloom where they can get nectar or pollen.

What is the best plant for honey bees?

The 7 best flowers to plant for bees

1. Bee balm (Monarda spp.) ...
2. White wild indigo (Baptisia alba) ...
3. Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) ...
4. Black-eyed susan (Rudbeckia hirta) ...
5. Joe-pye weed (Eutrochium purpureum) ...
6. Marsh blazing star (Liatris spicata) ...
7. Wrinkleleaf goldenrod (Solidago rugosa)

What's the difference between Hidcote and Munstead lavender?

Munstead or Hidcote? Hidcote lavender has a deeper, violet-blue color for the flowers and the flower head is more compact. The foliage is silver-gray and changes color slightly through the seasons. Munstead flowers are somewhat 'looser' and lighter in color.

What is the difference between English lavender and Munstead lavender?

'Munstead' and 'Hidcote' are two types of English lavender. 'Hidcote' has more tightly packed and darker coloured flowers than 'Munstead', whereas 'Munstead' flowers are lighter in colour and have more of a shaggy appearance. Grow Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead' in well-drained soil in full sun.

Does lavender attract bees and wasps?

Lavender plants are often buzzing with insects. The shrubs bloom all summer long with tall, densely-packed, slender stems lined with flowers. Although the plant itself attracts pollinators -- including wasps -- the essential oil actually repels some insects, according to the University of Vermont.

Do bees get drunk on lavender?

They are punch drunk. Last year I laid down in the lavender and was amazed at how many bees simply ran into me. FWI – Flying While Intoxicated. They can get drunk from fermented nectars in the flowers and you can imagine how many flying accidents there are.

Does lavender help bees?

Slide 1: Lavender Attracts Bees

Because lavender is very productive, you can even cut some blooms to enjoy in a vase indoors and there will still be plenty leftover for a bee-friendly feast. Available on Amazon; $15.99 per plant.

Do bees sleep in lavender plants?

Several species of bumble bees in our bee garden seem to prefer the English lavender. They forage, they mate, and they sleep. The females sleep in their underground nests at night, while the males sleep on the lavender stems. They are a joy to have around--underground and above ground!

Do bees get honey from lavender?

Bees and lavender are a beautiful synergy we all feel privileged to witness. Lavender provides nectar and pollen to the bees and the bees promote plant reproduction starting the hormonal reaction seminal in each flower's seed set the process which also facilitates the flowers yield of essential oil.

Does lavender attract bees and butterflies?

Lavender is not only one of the most beautiful and useful perennials to grow, it also is a major attraction for bees and butterflies. In fact, when it comes to attracting bees, lavender might just be at the top of the list. Lavender has many medicinal uses, and is well known for it's wondrous fragrance too.

Do wasps hate lavender?

Lavender and Eucalyptus Oil

Lavender oil and eucalyptus oil are effective as repellents to get rid of wasps. Lavender oil can be applied on skin/clothing or can be sprayed on areas frequented by these insects.

Does rosemary attract bees?

Rosemary attracts a variety of bees including mason, bumble, mining, and honey bees. It is great for other pollinators, as well, like nectar-feeding flies and butterflies.

Do bees prefer purple flowers?

Bees Like Purple Flowers so much they have a Dance

They can see reddish hues such as yellow and orange, and thanks to ultraviolet patterns on flowers that direct bees to where the nectar and pollen are stored, bees are able to enjoy feeding from all colours of flower.

Does Spanish lavender attract butterflies?

Who isn't familiar with the sweet scent of lavender? This beautiful perennial is popular with butterflies and people. Lavender grows best well-drained soil and full sun, and thrives with minimal care.

What is Primavera lavender?

Primavera, also known as Spanish Lavender, is a lovely herb that is topped with burgundy flags that rise above small purple flowers. Unlike other Lavender, the Primavera will flower during the summer to fall. Drought and rocky soil tolerant.

What is Grosso lavender?

Lavandula 'Grosso' is a classic French hybrid Lavender grown for its fragrant dark blue flower spikes and vigorous growth habit. With nice wide gray-green foliage, 'Grosso' is a large grower and blooms heavily providing an ample harvest of flowers for lavender wands, sachets, and culinary use.