How Tell the Bees Gardens Support At-Risk Bees, Native Plants, and Biodiversity in Massachusetts with Native Bee Gardens

Across North America, native bees are in alarming decline. Over 4,000 species of native bees—including bumblebees, miner bees, sweat bees, and mason bees—form the backbone of natural pollination systems, but habitat loss, pesticide exposure, climate change, and disease have placed many of them at serious risk. According to the Center for Biological Diversity, more than 50 percent of native bee species are declining, and nearly one in four are at risk of extinction.

The solution begins in the soil—and in how we plant it. Creating a native bee garden is one of the most effective, immediate ways to support the resilience of these vital species.

A Massachusetts Example: Disappearing Bumblebees

Massachusetts has seen a significant decline in its native bee diversity. Once home to 11 species of bumblebees, the state now supports only seven, and several of those are declining rapidly. Species such as the yellow-banded bumblebee (Bombus terricola), golden northern bumblebee (Bombus fervidus), and half-black bumblebee (Bombus vagans) are increasingly rare. The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife lists these bees as in need of urgent conservation support.

Loss of nesting habitat, native forage, and undisturbed soil has left these species vulnerable. A thoughtfully designed native bee gardens help counter this trend—especially when built using native plants, pollinator-safe practices, and habitat-appropriate features.

The Tell the Bees Garden Approach

Tell the Bees gardens go beyond aesthetic landscaping. They are native bee gardens with layered purpose: restoring pollinator populations, enhancing biodiversity, and creating meaningful spaces for people to engage with nature.

These gardens are designed with several core principles:

  • Native perennial plantings selected specifically for their value to at-risk bees
  • Continuous bloom succession from early spring through late fall
  • Undisturbed soil and natural mulch to support ground-nesting species
  • No pesticide use to protect vulnerable pollinator systems
  • Quiet, reflective spaces for personal and communal connection

Native Plants That Nurture Native Bees

Successful native bee gardens in Massachusetts should offer a rich, layered palette of native plants that bloom in sequence and support multiple pollinator species. Key plants used in Tell the Bees gardens include:

  • Bee balm (Monarda fistulosa) – Supports bumblebees and hummingbirds, with aromatic foliage
  • New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) – Important late-season nectar source
  • Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) – Vital for dozens of native bee species
  • Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) – Long-blooming, supports many pollinators
  • Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) – Also supports beneficial predatory insects
  • Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) – Supports monarchs and short-tongued bees

These plants not only support ecological health but also provide sensory richness and visual beauty throughout the growing season.

Habitat, Shelter, and Nesting in Native Bee Gardens

Beyond food sources, Tell the Bees gardens are designed to meet the nesting and sheltering needs of native bees. About 70 percent of native bees are ground-nesting, requiring open, undisturbed soil patches with well-drained sand or clay loam. Sunny areas without heavy mulch or fabric allow bees to burrow safely.

Other bees, such as mason and leafcutter bees, nest in cavities. Native bee gardens can include dead wood features or handmade bee blocks from untreated wood and bundled hollow stems to support these species.

These elements are integrated naturally into the landscape, blending visual appeal with practical ecological function.

Why Healing Gardens Matter for Pollinators and People

A native bee garden is more than an ecological solution. It is a living, healing space. The Tell the Bees model is grounded in the idea that caring for land supports human well-being just as it supports the health of bees. These healing gardens:

  • Provide calming, restorative environments for individuals and communities
  • Encourage education and awareness of pollinators and local ecosystems
  • Promote mindfulness and connection to nature’s rhythms
  • Allow individuals to witness the impact of their stewardship

Whether at a home, senior residence, school, or park, a native bee garden can help restore fragile ecosystems while creating meaningful human experiences. The tradition of telling the bees reminds us that nature listens. These gardens give us a way to give back, to restore what is endangered, and to reconnect with the world around us.