The lavender we got in a 3" pot a few years back is now 4' in diameter and covered in bees.

[HopeHoops]

It's in full bloom and there are at least two dozen bumbles on it at any given time. One of them was so coated in pollen that it was solid yellow. Few of the other bees like it (but some butterflies do), but the bumbles just can NOT get enough!!!

Note: This is AFTER my wife cut a shitload of the shoots down to nothing. The plant is HUGE!

[uppityperson]

1. Yay for lavender plants. My spanish lavender is covered with little fuzzy orange butt bees also. Not

4 feet though. Sounds like yours is very happy where it is living.

[HopeHoops]

4. It's the bumbles here, but they get fuzzy butts if they spend too much time in the flowers.

[beac]

2. What zone are you in?

I've been tempted by lavender, but fear it won't overwinter here (zone 6b/7a). My attempts to grow it from seed = total fail.

[HopeHoops]

3. We just switched from 5 to 6. The lavender has been prolific all along.

But we have seen a lot of changes. The hen and chicks are blooming!!!!

[Curmudgeoness]

5. I'm in 6b, and mine is doing fine.

It has made it through at least 4 winters. It will be fine for you.

[ginnyinWI]

6. I am in 5a

Do you think I could grow lavendar?

I looked it up:

"While you can grow lavender in USDA Zone 5, it is unlikely you will ever have a lavender hedge. More realistically you can expect to have plants that will do well when the weather cooperates and to experience the occasional loss of a plant or two after a severe winter or a wet, humid summer."

I have a sheltered area next to my front porch (southern exposure). I think I will give this a try. Thanks for the idea!

[HopeHoops]

7. We changed zones this season, but that doesn't matter - the lavender is taking OVER!

My wife has cut a shitload of it and the bumbles still harvest off of the clippings in the bowl. One of them was so coated in pollen that it could barely fly. They do the same thing with the rose of sharon. It seems that bumbles like purple flowers.