We all know about the European honeybee, but what about the native bees that live here in the Santa Clara Valley? These local insects help pollinate our ornamental and edible plants! Once you know what to look for, you’ll see over a dozen bee species that live in our urban setting—especially among locally growing native plants. Find out how planting a few select natives can enrich your garden and attract more native (and honey) bees.

John Kehoe is a longtime member of CNPS and the Xerces Society. He is a regular volunteer at Ulistac as well as at various CNPS functions, and is passionate about the natural world. His research interests include studying native bees and their relationships with native plants. He shares these interests by way of his photography on Flickr, CalPhotos at UC Berkeley, and Bumble Bee Watch.