Lot size: 30’ x 190’
Garden Age: The bee garden was created in 2003; 75% native
Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: 12
An Eden for pollinators, this fascinating garden has worked phenomenally, attracting nearly 60 of Berkeley’s 85 species of native bees. This garden, designed for the sole purpose of assessing the attractiveness of a variety of plants to native bees, is overseen by Dr. Gordon Frankie, an entomologist at U.C. Berkeley and a man with an unparalleled and inspiring passion for nature’s most prolific pollinators, be they bright green bees, small black bees, striped bees, or fuzzy ones. This bee-friendly garden contains plants that flower at different times of the year, provide pollen and nectar for bees both big and small, attract butterflies and other beneficial insects, and are compost if they don’t bring in the pollinators. One of the research results: native bees adore native plants. Commonly used non-native plants that attract native bees are also evaluated in the garden.
- Bring your children and propel them toward the bee-related scavenger hunt!
- A collection of California native bees will be available for viewing, as will a list of the plants that attract native bees and a reference collection of bees.
- By making simple adjustments and additions, gardeners can provide food, shelter, and nesting areas for California’s native bees. Ask Dr. Frankie, or any of his students, which plants attract the most buzz.
- Check out this delightful Urban Bee Garden website at helpabee.org. The Bee Garden’s plant list can be downloaded from this site.
- Ask about arranging special tours for your garden club or school group.
- We’ve all been waiting, and it’s finally coming! “California Bees and Their Flowers,” by Dr. Frankie, is on the shelves! Purchase it at the Bee Garden on the day of the Tour; $30, cash or check only.
- To learn more about the history of the Bee Garden, check out this article in Pacific Horticulture magazine.
Garden Talk 
Dr. Frankie and his students will be available all day to answer questions. Throughout the day Dr. Frankie and his students will lead “How to garden for native bees” tours.
Gardening for Wildlife
It’s all about California’s native bees!
