Our Bees
Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum is a unique and active natural space that serves as a vital habitat for a diverse population of bees, from native species to our own honey bee colonies. Our commitment to sustainable horticulture and native plantings helps these industrious creatures thrive in the heart of St. Louis.
Bees as Pollinators
Bees are some of the most essential pollinators on the planet, responsible for the reproduction of countless flowering plants, including many found at Bellefontaine. We cultivate a variety of Missouri native plants that provide abundant nectar and pollen throughout the seasons. In our Evergreen Meadow, you can find a special type of pollinator, the bumble bee. Our mountain mint, milkweed, and aster species are particularly important food sources, attracting honey bees, bumble bees, and many other native bee species to our grounds.
Partnerships
Thanks to the habitat reconstruction and native plant horticulture work that has been implemented over the past decade at Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum, our Arboretum grounds support a wide diversity of wildlife, including pollinators.
This work is part of a collaborative effort with our partners:
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC): MDC recently visited BCA to survey the bumble bee population in Evergreen Meadow as part of a citizen science project. Special thanks to MDC for financially supporting our prairie restoration (Evergreen Meadow) and woodland restoration/stormwater management system (Evergreen Glen)
The Xerces Society: This survey is a part of the Bumble Bee Atlas, a citizen science project of the insect conservation group. The bumble bees are captured temporarily, identified, and then released unharmed.
We are thankful to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and BrightSide St. Louis for the grant received through the Butterfly Byway program, which facilitated the purchase of seeds for native plants.
Did You Know? Hibiscus Turret Bees
With the hardy hibiscus in bloom, the hibiscus turret bees (Ptilothrix bombiformis) are hard at work in Wildwood Valley Garden. This Missouri native bee is a specialist and exclusively visits plants in the Hibiscus genus. Visually similar to bumble bees, these fascinating insects typically nest in hard-packed soil near water, playing a crucial role in our ecosystem.
Our Bee Colony & Volunteer Beekeeper
To further support bee populations, Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum maintains a thriving bee colony. This colony is cared for by a dedicated beekeeper who monitors the bees' health and ensures the colony's success. This hands-on conservation effort allows us to contribute directly to the health of the local pollinator population.
Bellefontaine Honey
Our bee colony produces a small amount of honey, a delicious byproduct of their hard work. This honey is used exclusively for internal purposes, serving as a reminder of the vital ecological work being done on our grounds and the benefits of our native habitats.
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