Lavender plants are exceptionally powerful attractors of bees and other pollinators. This herb consistently supplies high-quality nectar and pollen, which are essential food sources for foraging insects. Lavender’s long blooming period, often extending from late spring through summer, makes it a reliable source of nourishment when other floral resources might be scarce.
The Biological Reasons Lavender Attracts Bees
Bees are drawn to lavender through a combination of visual, olfactory, and nutritional cues. The vibrant violet-blue color of the flowers is highly visible to bees, whose vision is tuned to the ultraviolet (UV), blue, and green spectrums. Lavender flowers often display intricate UV patterns, invisible to the human eye, that function as “nectar guides,” directing the bees toward the reward.
The famously strong fragrance of the plant is also a powerful long-distance signal for foraging bees. This aromatic profile comes from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like linalool and linalyl acetate, which are released from the flowers. These chemical cues allow bees to locate the rich food source even from a significant distance.
Once a bee arrives, the tubular structure of the individual florets presents a foraging challenge depending on the insect’s anatomy. The nectar housed deep within these tubes is rich in sugars, providing the carbohydrates needed for energy. Longer-tongued species, such as bumblebees (Bombus spp.), are highly efficient at extraction. Shorter-tongued honeybees (Apis mellifera) must push their heads deeper into the flower, making the reward slightly less efficient for them, though they remain constant visitors.
Selecting Specific Lavender Varieties for Pollinator Support
Choosing the right type of lavender can significantly impact the amount and variety of pollinator support a garden provides. The three most common types—English, Lavandin, and Spanish—offer distinct benefits to different bee species. Gardeners should always select single-flowered varieties, as ornamental double-flowered types often obscure or completely hide the pollen and nectar, rendering them useless to foraging insects.
Lavandula angustifolia, commonly known as English lavender, is favored for its low camphor content, which results in a sweeter, less pungent aroma. This species produces high-quality nectar, contributing to a particularly fine-flavored honey. Varieties like ‘Munstead’ and ‘Hidcote’ tend to have shorter flower spikes but often offer a continuous or repeated bloom cycle, extending the foraging window for both honeybees and bumblebees.
The hybrid known as Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia) is a cross between English and Spike lavender and includes popular cultivars like ‘Grosso’ and ‘Provence’. Lavandin plants are generally larger and produce significantly more essential oil, which contains higher levels of camphor, giving it a sharper, more medicinal fragrance. Lavandins are prized by bees for their high nectar volume and longer, more robust flower stems, which provide a substantial food source.
Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is easily identifiable by the distinctive bracts, often referred to as “bunny ears,” atop the flower spikes. This species is often less appealing to honeybees due to its flower structure, but its early blooming period makes it a valuable food source for newly emerged queen bumblebees and other specialized native pollinators. Planting a variety of these species ensures that a wider range of bee sizes and species are accommodated throughout the season.
Beyond Bees: Other Insects Attracted to Lavender
Lavender’s ecological value extends beyond supporting bee populations. Its blooms attract other beneficial insects, enhancing the garden’s overall biodiversity. Butterflies, including species like the Painted Lady and Swallowtail, are attracted to the large, colorful flower clusters. They use the flowers as a source of nectar for energy.
Hoverflies, which often mimic bees, are consistently found on lavender and serve a dual function. They are efficient secondary pollinators, and their larvae are effective predators of common garden pests like aphids. The foliage also provides shelter for other beneficial predatory insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings, which help manage pest populations.