Cibolo Bee Garden is Number 11

Cibolo, Texas is the location for the eleventh Official Certified Texas Bee-Friendly garden. Bridget Cameron sent in these lovely photos of her Bee Garden taken this summer. I am constantly impressed by the way Texans are managing and restoring their yards and land to accommodate and enhance habitat for native bees, as well as native plants and wildlife.

Bridget's home sits on land that was once farmed and has now been subdivided for homes–a not-uncommon story. But Bridget has been sowing wildflower seeds ever since she moved in. I'm not sure, but I'm betting that Bridget wasn't aware that her efforts to encourage wildflowers would be helping native bees prosper on her property. But that's what happens when you can increase the food (by providong pollen and nectar), increase the nesting habitat (by leaving some bare soil for ground-nesting native bees), and eliminate the use of pesticides (to quit killing the good insects along with the ones you may wish weren't there).

Bridget's not done yet. This coming spring, she's planning to plant wildflowers for Monarch butterflies. 

Here's a partial list of plants Bridget has planted to attract wildife (and native bees) to her garden.

• Coreopsis
  Coneflower
• Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella)
• Cosmos
• Bluebonnets
• Mexican hat
• Black-eyed susan
• Sunflower
• Zinnia
• Rosemary
• Yarrow
• Butterfly bush 
• Basil and other herbs
• Borage

Her garden also includes: grasses, Acacia trees, other wildflowers, vegetables, and fruit vines (grape, blackberry, raspberry, and blueberry).  

Welcome to bee-watching, Bridget!

I'm proud to be sending you a brand new certificate listing your garden as the 11th Official Certified Texas Bee-Friendly Garden.  Thank you for all you do to provide habitat for native bees in Texas.