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.
Which lavender is best for bees and butterflies?
Dutch lavender, Lavandula x intermedia, is the best species, with variety ‘Gros Bleu’ best of all for pollinators.
Is lavender harmful to bees?
If you are a lavender lover and grower, you have discovered that if bees are nearby, they love lavender in bloom. Lavender and bees are, simply put, very good friends!
Do bees like the scent of 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.
What pollinators are attracted to lavender?
While both bumblebees (Bombus spp.) and honey bees (Apis mellifera) are attracted to lavender (Lavandula spp.), the plant is more popular among bumblebees.
What animals are attracted to lavender?
Wildlife Benefit
Lavender also has many benefits for wildlife, especially pollinators. Flowers attract hummingbirds and many species of butterflies including painted ladies, woodland skippers and tiger swallowtails, all three of which are urban species.
Do wasps like lavender?
Rather than repelling wasps, however, lavender’s showy, fragrant flowers attract them and other pollinators.
Should I plant lavender in my garden?
Growing lavender is easy and rewarding. Lavender can be grown in garden beds or in pots. To grow lavender successfully it needs well-drained soil and full sun. In arid climates lavender grows well as a perennial, but in humid climates it is often grown as an annual.
What smell do bees hate?
Bees also have a distaste for lavender oil, citronella oil, olive oil, vegetable oil, lemon, and lime. These are all topical defenses you can add to your skin to keep bees away. Unlike other flying insects, bees are not attracted to the scent of humans; they are just curious by nature.
Do bees sleep on lavender?
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!
What do lavender plants attract?
Ecological Uses: Lavender attracts butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects to the garden, making it a great choice for pollinator gardens! It’s also a natural pest and deer repellant, thanks to its high essential oil content.
What are bees favorite flower?
1. Bee balm (Monarda spp.) This plant is called “bee balm” because it was once used to treat bee stings, but bees really are obsessed with the flowers.
What flowers do bees not like?
10 plants that repel bees and wasps
- Cucumber. This popular vegetable not only makes a great addition to summer salads, but also keeps bees and wasps away.
- Basil. Basil is another great choice for your garden that doubles as a kitchen resource and a pest repellent.
- Geraniums.
- Wormwood.
- Marigolds.
- Pitcher Plants.
What bugs does lavender repel?
Lavender has a strong scent that can repel moths, flies, fleas, and mosquitoes. Use it fresh or dry some of the flowers to hang around the house or put in with your clothing to keep bugs out. Here’s how to make lavendar sachets.
Does lavender keep mosquitoes away?
Lavender
Crushed lavender flowers produce a fragrance and oil that can repel mosquitoes. An animal study from 2002 on hairless mice found lavender oil to be effective at repelling adult mosquitoes. Lavender has analgesic, antifungal, and antiseptic qualities.
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.
Do mice like lavender plants?
Do mice like lavender? No, they don’t. Mice hate the pungent smell of lavender, which is why most people consider them as repellents. However, homemade repellents are ineffective against mice.
Do squirrels like lavender?
There are over 90 different species of perennials that bloom each spring. They vary in color from white, purple, yellow, cream, and lavender. These plants are poisonous and squirrels somehow know this, and won’t eat them. There are several other critter resistant bulbs and perennials that will repel squirrels.
What eats lavender in the garden?
Lavender’s characteristic fragrance and taste benefit gardeners because deer are not the only animals who avoid eating these flowers. Rabbits, raccoons, and other small animals generally avoid lavender. So, you can enjoy a gorgeous floral array knowing that only bugs will be the pests on the prowl.
What plant keeps bees away?
Here are some of the many plants that can help you repel bees and wasps from your garden.
- 1 – Cucumber. One of the most popular plants that would make a fine addition to any garden is the cucumber.
- 2 – Basil.
- 3 – Marigolds.
- 4 – Geraniums.
- 5 – Mint.
- 6 – Eucalyptus.
- 7 – Wormwood.
- 8 – Pennyroyal.
Does lavender attract yellow jackets?
The study of 21 essential oils found that 17 were effective in repelling yellowjackets and paper wasps: clove, pennyroyal, lemongrass, ylang ylang, spearmint, wintergreen, sage, rosemary, lavender, geranium, patchouli, citronella, Roman chamomile, thyme, fennel seed, anise and peppermint.
Lorraine Wade is all about natural food. She loves to cook and bake, and she’s always experimenting with new recipes. Her friends and family are the lucky beneficiaries of her culinary skills! Lorraine also enjoys hiking and exploring nature. She’s a friendly person who loves to chat with others, and she’s always looking for ways to help out in her community.