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.
Are bees scared of lavender?
They found that lavender and borage were both very attractive to bees, but that lavender had 10 times as many bumblebees as honey bees, whereas, just a few yards away, the borage had 10 times as many honey bees as bumblebees.
Do bees like the smell of lavender?
Plants for Bees: Lavender
If you’ve grown lavender outdoors before, you know that it is popular among bees.
Which lavender attracts bees the most?
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 attracted to lavender?
Lavender is Good for Bees (and other pollinators)
Besides bees, it also attracts butterflies, hoverflies, and other beneficial insects.
What scent 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 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.
Do wasps like lavender?
Unlike the colorful and fragrant lavender plant, lavender essential oil actually repels wasps. The active ingredient linalool is what keeps all sorts of bugs away, including but not limited to fleas, fruit flies, wasps, and even bed bugs which are notoriously hard to get rid of.
Do lavender plants spread?
Lavender is a small shrub that usually grows 20 to 24 inches tall and wide. The height includes the flower stalks, so when not in bloom, the foliage may be only a foot tall. The plant does not spread as thyme, oregano, and other herbs tend to.
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 butterflies like lavender?
Lavender. 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 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.
Why do bees like lavender so much?
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.
What can you not plant near lavender?
Because lavender loves full sun and dry conditions, it doesn’t do well with perennials or annuals that prefer shade. Plants such as some types of impatiens, hosta, camellias and fuschia are not as drought-resistant, so their need for water may drown out lavender.
What animals does lavender keep away?
Not only is lavender beautiful and fragrant, but it is known to repel mosquitoes, fleas, flies, and moths.
What animals does lavender attract?
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.
What repels bees instantly?
Cinnamon and Mothballs
Funnily enough, mothballs and cinnamon. Bees have bad reactions to these compounds, which cause them to flee any area where cinnamon and mothballs are abundant. Of course, you can use just mothballs or just cinnamon, but when the two are combined they are particularly potent.
What smells do bees love?
Add plants in the mint family, including peppermint, lavender, basil, and oregano. Bees also like rosemary, sage, thyme, chamomile, marjoram, and bee balm. The heady perfume of these and other herbs often calls bees to visit your garden.
What smells are bees attracted to the most?
Sugars: Many bees feed on the nectar from flowers. Since nectar is sweet, it makes sense that bees would be attracted to sugars and fragrances that smell flowery or sweet. That’s why you may notice bees at your picnic, especially if you’re drinking sugary sodas or eating fruits, such as pineapple and watermelon.
What plant keeps bees away?
Plants that repel bees include geraniums, roses, dahlias, yews, and bougainvillea. These plants produce oils or essential oils that have an unpleasant odor to bees and are great at deterring bees away. Keeping bees away does not need to be a difficult task.
Where do bees go when it rains?
A direct hit by a raindrop could stun or even kill a honeybee. The bee might also be knocked to the ground, possibly into a puddle of water where drowning would be a real risk. As a result, bees will usually go into their hive and stay put during periods of rain.