Solitary Bees to the Rescue

Happy Earth Day! I had a great time celebrating early with the Denver Botanic Gardens at the Sustainability Fair. Welcome new readers and thanks for taking time to check out Dry Ideas. Please feel free to leave comments as the spirit moves you.

My talk went well, but by far the biggest hit was the Solitary Bee House I built from scrap lumber I had in my yard. Stay tuned for instructions on how to make your own Bee Boudoir just in time for the busy bee season. Solitary bees have no hives and make no honey, but they are champion pollinators, native to our region but also well adapted to imported forage crops like alfalfa and many of our ornamental landscape plants. You'll know when one of the species--the Leafcutter Bee--is around because they cut near perfect 3/4" diameter circles out of the edges of leaves. Some of their favorite landscape plants are lilac, redbud, and roses. They don't harm the plant, they just strike lightning fast leaving their own sort brand--a Zorro style slash (circular in shape).