Bug Squad

"The tower of jewels" ought to be called "the tower of bees." This spectacular plant attracts bees like a honey-laden hive does hungry bears. The tower of jewels (Echium wildprettii), native to the Canary Islands, is a biennal; it flowers only in the second year and then dies.

It's amazing what a little Photoshopping can do to a bee on blue. We captured an image this week of a pollen-packing honey bee on Phacelia campanularia, also known as California blue bells or desert blue bells. It's a deep inky-blue wildflower that's native to southwestern deserts of California.

The half-acre garden, the Hagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven planted last fall at the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility at the University of California, Davis, is not only bee friendly but it will be art friendly.

Talk about pollen power. When honey bees forage among the birds eyes, they're a delight to see. They dive into the yellow-throated lavender flowers and emerge covered with a blue-gray pollen.

Bee connected; save the date. The grand opening of the half-acre Hagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven at the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility at the University of California, Davis is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 11. The honey bees already know it's there.