When Does Lavender Bloom in BC? A Grower's Guide
Lavender blooms in British Columbia from mid-June to mid-September, with the strongest colour from late June through early August. That window shifts a little every year with the weather, and it varies by cultivar — which is why a field can look completely different from one week to the next.
We grow three cultivars on our seven acres in Richmond and have watched them come and go each season since 2021. Here is what we have learned about the timing.
The short answer
- Superblue · mid-June to mid-August
- Melissa · early July to mid-September
- Grosso · mid-July to mid-September
If you want one date to plan around, aim for the first half of July. That is when all three overlap and the fields are at their fullest.
Month by month
June
Superblue opens first, usually from the middle of the month. Early June is green with the first hints of colour; by the last week the rows have turned. This is a quieter time to visit, and the light is soft.
July
The busiest and most photogenic month. Superblue is fully out, Melissa follows in the first week, and Grosso joins from mid-month. For a few weeks all three are flowering at once, in slightly different tones — Superblue sweet and pale, Melissa softer with a citrus lift, Grosso deeper and more herbaceous.
August
Superblue finishes around the middle of the month and comes in for harvest. Melissa and Grosso carry on. The fields are still full but the character changes, and harvesting begins in earnest — you may see us cutting and carting to the still.
September
The last stretch. Melissa and Grosso wind down through the first half of the month. Some plants keep flowering after the public visiting season has closed.
Why the dates move
Bloom timing is weather-driven, not calendar-driven. A warm spring pulls everything forward; a cool, wet one holds it back. Late-season heat can shorten the peak. Because of that we publish a bloom calendar and update it with the current season's dates — worth checking before you travel, especially if you are coming for a specific cultivar.
The ranges above are what we typically see. Treat them as a guide, not a guarantee.
The best time of day for photographs
Early morning and late afternoon. The light is warmer and lower, the colour reads deeper, and the fields are quieter. Midday sun on an open field flattens the purple and is unforgiving in photographs.
Personal photography is welcome throughout the farm. Tripods are fine but need to stay outside the rows so the plants are not damaged. Professional and commercial sessions, including weddings and engagements, are arranged in advance — see our Professional Photography page.
What happens after the bloom
The flowers do not go to waste. We harvest through the season and steam-distil on the farm, which is where our essential oils and hydrosols come from — each in the same three cultivars, so the aroma differs depending on which rows it came from. Dried bouquets and sachets come from the same harvest.
The gift shop stays open year-round, although off-season hours vary.
Planning a visit
During the blooming season the fields are open Monday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with last entry an hour before closing. We are at 8460 Steveston Highway in Richmond, a short drive from Vancouver and beside the 403 bus stop at Roseland Gate.
Our visitor guide covers parking, accessibility, what to wear and farm policies. The FAQ answers most of the rest, and you can always get in touch if you are planning around a particular cultivar.