London proved to be almost as hot and dry as California when I returned. The garden is looking baked but some of the plants like it hot including these cultivars of Lavendula and Agastache. The essential oils of both are irresistible to bees.
 Lavender has another benefit besides nectar. Honey bees and their hives have become increasingly prone in the past few decades to infestations by the verroa mite (also known as the verroa destructor which indicates just how bad it is). Research indicates that these mites can be repelled and killed by certain essential oils including those of Lavendula.