The genus Lavandula, commonly known as lavender, is one of the most effective flowering plants for attracting beneficial insects. The answer to whether it draws bees and butterflies is a definitive yes. This Mediterranean herb offers a rich and reliable food source over an extended blooming period, attracting both the bee and the butterfly. The attraction involves a targeted interplay of scent, color, and nutritional reward.
The Biological Signals: How Lavender Attracts Pollinators
The sweet aroma of lavender is a primary mechanism of attraction, functioning as an olfactory beacon for insects. This scent is produced by Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) within the flower’s corolla. Compounds like linalool and linalyl acetate act as chemical signals that guide pollinators from a distance. The plant produces a high quantity of nectar, a sugar-rich liquid that provides necessary energy for foraging insects.
Lavender nectar is rich in sugars, providing a substantial energy reward for visiting insects. The visual appearance of the flower is tuned to the vision of its target audience. While humans see purple, bees are drawn to the blue and violet hues. The flower often features UV reflectance patterns, invisible to the human eye, which function as “nectar guides” directing the insect to the reward source at the base of the tubular flower.
Distinct Preferences of Bees Versus Butterflies
Bees and butterflies are attracted to lavender for different reasons, reflecting their unique physical needs and foraging behaviors. Bees, including honeybees and bumblebees, collect both nectar (for carbohydrates) and pollen (for protein), which is essential for colony growth. Their relatively short tongues and robust bodies are suited for maneuvering the dense clusters of tiny lavender florets. This allows them to collect the more viscous, higher-sugar nectar, often registering around 35% sugar content, typical of bee-pollinated flowers.
Bumblebees are efficient visitors due to their slightly longer tongues and ability to quickly access the nectar source. Bees benefit from the dense, stable structure of the flower spike, which provides a reliable landing platform. They move systematically from one floret to the next, a behavior known as “flower constancy,” making them effective at cross-pollinating the plant.
Butterflies, conversely, are primarily nectar feeders, requiring the sugary liquid to fuel their sustained flight. They possess a long, coiled proboscis, a tube-like mouthpart which they unfurl to sip nectar from the depths of the flower tubes. The structure of the lavender flower cluster provides a necessary, stable landing pad, allowing them to rest while feeding.
Because of their feeding mechanism, butterflies are attracted to flowers that produce less viscous nectar, often with a slightly lower sugar concentration, typically ranging between 20% and 25%. The number of accessible florets on a single lavender spike ensures that butterflies can maximize their nectar intake without expending unnecessary energy searching for the next flower.
Choosing the Right Lavender Varieties for Maximum Attraction
Not all lavender species are equally attractive to pollinators, so choosing the right variety can significantly impact the number of visitors. English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and its cultivars, such as ‘Hidcote’ or ‘Munstead,’ are recommended for their dense flower spikes and high nectar production. This species provides a reliable and concentrated food source, making it a top choice for both honeybees and bumblebees.
Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia), a hybrid of English and Portuguese lavender, is another good option, producing long spikes and a high yield of flowers. Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas), recognized by its distinctive “rabbit ear” bracts, is also excellent for attracting both bees and butterflies. This variety often has a longer blooming season, providing a continued food supply into the warmer months.
To maximize attraction, plant lavender in full sun, as this increases the plant’s production of both VOCs and nectar. Planting in dense groupings rather than scattered individual plants also helps, creating a more substantial visual and olfactory target for foraging insects. Selecting species known for their bloom density and extended flowering period allows gardeners to create a thriving habitat that supports local pollinator populations.