Search the site
Support your spring pollinators! Research shows these blooms are among mason bees’ top food sources.
After attending the Orchard Bee Association (OBA) conference and reviewing recent field research, we’re adding Phacelia to the top of our planting list for mason bees. In every researcher’s presentation on mason bee foraging habits, Phacelia emerged as a clear favorite.
Another favorite mason bee food that showed up study after study for the Orchard Bee conference was Lupine. Highly visited by mason bees and has over 200 species. It blooms Spring through Summer and is a great source of food for pollinators.
Ceanothus velutinus (Snowbrush ceanothus) is a fragrant, evergreen shrub native to western North America. It typically grows 3–10 feet tall and produces clusters of small flowers in late spring to summer that attract bees and butterflies.
Also known as gooseberry, these early-blooming shrubs provide valuable sources of pollen and nectar for mason bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. The brightly colored flowers produce edible tart berries, which may be eaten dried or in pies, jams, and syrups. Plant in full sun. Golden currant, Ribes auream, occurs throughout most of the U.S. and red-flowering currant, R. sanguineum (pictured), is found in the Pacific Coast states and Idaho.
Serviceberry is a shrub with an edible fruit, commonly eaten dried and in pies and jams. It is used in restoration plantings to provide erosion control and forging resources for birds, mammals, and insects. It is very tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions. Pacific serviceberry, Amelanchier alnifolia, is found throughout the Pacific Northwest and downy serviceberry, A. arborea, is found throughout eastern North America.
These native shrubs are an excellent way to add interesting color, texture and floral resources to your yard. Ninebark provides valuable habitat for birds and small mammals as well as ample pollen for insects. Plant in full sun to partial shade. Pacific ninebark, Physocarpus capitatus, occurs in the Pacific coastal states and Idaho. Common ninebark, P. opulifolius, occurs throughout the midwestern and eastern U.S.
Maple trees are a dominant feature of plant communities across North America. Most maple trees bloom in late winter or early spring, and are an important source of pollen and nectar for early-flying bees. Maples support wildlife by providing foraging resources and canopy structure.
Bright yellow mahonia flowers are a great source of late winter nectar for early emerging bumblebees and mason bees. This hardy shrub can be a good addition to lowland planting and can grow in a wide variety of conditions. Plant in full sun to partial shade.
Growing delicious edible berries, this shrub is often used to combat overgrowth of invasive Himalayan blackberry. Not only important just for mason bees, salmon berry provides early nectar sources for bumblebees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. Salmonberry grows well in full to partial shade and can be used to stabilize eroded soils.
Often flowering in the late winter season, this species is incredibly important for early emerging pollinators. It can grow in full sun to partial shade and easily adapts to many different soil types.
Prunus is a diverse group of trees and shrubs that includes many fruits we eat such as cherry, almond, plum, peach, and apricot. There are also many wild cherry species native to the U.S., and are an important component of riparian forests. Wild cherries are an important source of pollen and nectar for spring-flying mason bees, bumble bees, and miner bees.
Another early blooming plant, elderberry produces clusters of small white edible flowers. These thicket-forming shrubs provide important habitat and food for wildlife, and are the larval host plants for several species of moths.
