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Evidence is mounting that pollinators of crop and wildland plants are declining worldwide. Our research group at UC Berkeley and UC Davis conducted a 3-year survey of bee pollinators in seven cities from Northern California to Southern California. Results indicate that many types of urban residential gardens provide floral and nesting resources for the reproduction and survival of bees, especially a diversity of native bees. Habitat gardening for bees, using targeted ornamental plants, can predictably increase bee diversity and abundance, and provide clear pollination benefits.

Author(s): Pawelek, Jaime C; Frankie, Gordon W; Frey, Kate; Guerrero, Sara Leon; Schindler, Mary | Abstract: Honey bees and their wild cousins are having hard times lately. See how you can help them all out by making your garden more bee-friendly, whether you have a cottage garden or vegetable garden, or even a drought-tolerant native plant garden.

A survey of the bee species and their ornamental host flowers that occur in residential neighborhoods of the cities of Albany and adjacent Berkeley in northern California was conducted from 1999–2003. A simple bee frequency (visitation) count was developed to evaluate the relative attraction of bees to their host flowers. Results of the survey revealed that 76 species of bees, mostly natives, from five families, visited 129 host plants at measurable levels. The most common host plant families were Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Polygonaceae, Rosaceae, and Scrophulariaceae. Honey bees and all other bee taxa were recorded separately on host plants, and both bee groups were more attracted to California native plants than exotics on a percentage basis. Variable attraction was recorded within native and exotic host plants, and a large part of this variation appears related to where the plants are found in residential areas. In general, the highest bee diversity and abundance was observed in diverse gardens ha...

Author(s): Ponder, Marissa V; Frankie, Gordon W; Elkins, Rachel; Frey, Kate; Coville, Rollin; Schindler, Mary; Guerrero, Sara Leon; Pawelek, Jaime C; Shaffer, Carolyn | Abstract: About three-quarters of all flowering plants rely on insects or birds for pollination, and that includes one-third of all crop plants. This publication shows you how to create a landscape that is welcoming for bees and many other pollinators.