08/18/2026
🐝 Meet the Specialist Bees in Your Garden
Not all bees are generalists! Oligolege bees, also known as specialist bees, rely on specific plants or plant families for the pollen they collect to feed their young. That means the right plants can make a big difference for these unique native pollinators.
🌺 Hibiscus Bee + Rose Mallow
The hibiscus bee is closely associated with native Hibiscus, including rose mallow. These beautiful blooms provide an important source of pollen for this specialized pollinator.
🌼 Long-Horned Bee + Tickseed
Many long-horned bees are specialists on plants in the daisy family, including tickseed (Coreopsis). Their long antennae make them especially easy to spot as they move from bloom to bloom.
💜 Mining Bee + Purple Coneflower
Some mining bee species specialize in plants within the daisy family, making purple coneflower an excellent addition to a pollinator-friendly garden. These solitary bees often nest underground, so leaving some bare soil can help provide nesting habitat, too.
🌿 Why plant for specialists?
Native plants support native bees in more ways than just providing nectar. They can provide the specific pollen, habitat, and resources that specialized bees need to complete their life cycles.
Plant a little more intentionally, and you may discover a whole world of tiny pollinators right in your garden. 🐝🌸
