Crown Bees
Mason Bee Program
The NatureScaping Wildlife Botanical Gardens features a native mason bee demonstration shelter designed to introduce visitors to these remarkable (and very busy) native pollinators from mid-March through late May.
Mason bees are solitary native bees — just one of more than an estimated 4,000 native bee species in the United States. In the Pacific Northwest alone, Washington is home to over 600 species, with Oregon and Idaho each hosting more than 700. That’s a lot of tiny pollinators doing big work!
Unlike honeybees, Mason bees don’t live in hives or have a queen. Each female is a “queen of one,” building and provisioning her own nest. She uses mud to create walls between each brood chamber — which is how they earned the name “mason” bee. Think of them as miniature bricklayers with wings.
Mason bees are powerhouse pollinators. They carry pollen loosely on the underside of their abdomen (on special hairs called scopa), and as they visit flower after flower — often more than 2,000 blooms per day — pollen dusts everything in their path. Because the pollen is transported loosely rather than packing it tightly into a pollen basket as honeybees do, pollen is readily dislodged and effortlessly transfers between flowers. Mason bees can be up to 100 times more effective than honeybees at pollinating certain crops, especially fruit trees.
And the best part? They are calm and non-aggressive. While females can sting if squished or threatened, they rarely do. Mason bees are gentle, garden-friendly pollinators — our quiet spring neighbors.
Follow the main path through the Gardens. When you get to the shed, look to your right — the Mason bees’ tiny neighborhood is located there!
Helpful Resources
Downloadable Flyer – Plant with Purpose: For Mason Bees, lists early spring bloom pollen and nectar opportunities, as well as plants used for nesting for native bees.
To learn more, download our Blue Orchard Mason Bee Calendar and guide.
This mason bee guide includes an annual planning calendar, tips for housing placement, and other helpful facts about mason bees.
Visit the gardens in early to late spring to observe these fascinating pollinators in action — you may even see one land gently nearby as she goes about her important work.
Pacific Northwest Native Bee Podcast
What happens when we shift from managing the garden to truly observing it? This conversation highlights how understanding pollinator behavior — especially native bees — can deepen our habitat practices and enrich our gardening experience.
Checkout the Evergreen Thumb podcast, hosted by Erin Hoover, from the WSU Master Gardener Foundation and our very own President, Anne Bulger.
https://evergreenthumb.mastergardenerfoundation.org/episode066/
A Bee Story / Surveying the Living Landscape
Honoring Brigg Franklin
Brigg Franklin is a retired USCG-licensed Marine Officer, professionally certified by the U.S. Coast Guard to operate commercial, non-military vessels. Aye matey, he swapped the shipyard for a bee-yard!
Capt. Brigg stewarded the Mason Bee Program in our Wildlife Botanical Gardens for over 20 years. His long-standing dedication helped shape the program into what it is today, supporting both pollinator health and public education. His legacy continues to be felt throughout the Gardens and in the many community members he inspired.
We are grateful for his service.
Fair winds and busy bees, Brigg.
Anne Bulger
President, NatureScaping of Southwest Washington (2026)