The Orchard Mason Bee by Bellingham author Brian Griffin has long been my go-to book on this subject, but from just across the border in Coquitlam, B.C., is a slightly newer book (2002) on these fascinating garden helpers. “Pollination with Mason Bees” by Margriet Dogterom, takes a bit more of a do-it-yourself approach to creating and maintaining your bee nests, but if you’re interested in this subject, I’d recommend referring to both books.
Excerpted from the Summer 2013 Arboretum Bulletin.