Happy World Bee Day!

Western Honeybee (Apis mellifera) + California native Wild Lilac (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus, Blueblossom)

The UN has designated May 20th as World Bee Day to celebrate bees and highlight their essential work in the function of our ecosystem. Through pollination, bees work together with many species such as butterflies and hummingbirds to create a livable environment for all, contributing massive efforts to biodiversity and food security. Unfortunately, despite their critical role in maintaining a habitable ecosystem, the bee population is rapidly declining due to unsustainable farm practices and rising temperatures. As a team of nature enthusiasts and bee lovers, Kale Tree celebrates World Bee Day by sharing our appreciation of this incredibly hardworking and diverse insect.

Western Honeybee (Apis mellifera) + Pride of Madeira (Echium candicans)

Bees are an extraordinarily diverse species-- There are 30,000 different species of bee across the world, approximately 4,000 species in the United States, and over 1,500 identified bee species just in California! As such, California is home to some of the most diverse bee populations in the country, which is reflected by the state's equally large and diverse plant population.

One of the many bees you can find in California is the Apis mellifera, commonly known as a Honey Bee. Aptly named, Honey Bees are the only bee species that make enough honey to harvest. Honey Bees are highly social and are identifiable by their thick bodies and yellow or brown striped abdomens. Male Honey Bees do not have stingers, although they are typically larger than their female friends. Although Honey Bees can be found in California, they are native to Europe and pollinate in areas worldwide.

Female Valley Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa sonorina) + Popcorn Cassia (Senna didymobotrya)

Another bee commonly found in California is the gentle Xylocopa, also known as Carpenter Bees. Carpenter bees are shiny, large, and stout in appearance and have sparse hair covering their bodies. There are three different species of Carpenter bees in California, and they tend to nest in soft, decaying woods. Carpenter bees have small mouths and typically visit larger flowers as they are easier to derive nectar.

Male Valley Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa sonorina) + Tropical Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, “Creole Lady”)

Black-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus melanopygus) + California Vervain (Verbena lasiostachys)

The ever-fuzzy, stout, and large Bombus, or Bumble Bee has black hair covering their bodies with yellow, white, or red bands. There have been 27 different Bumble Bees recorded in California, and the Bombus californicus or California Bumble Bee is native to the state. Bumble Bees tend to nest underground, but some species are known to nest in abandoned bird nests or birdhouses. Bumble Bees pollinate from a broad range of plants and food sources, including avocados, cherries, and blackberries. Bumble Bees are unique in their ability to engage in "buzz pollination," in which they vibrate at a frequency required for pollen to release from plants such as tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers.

Black-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus melanopygus) + California native, Vervain (Verbena lasiostachys)

A tiny Sweatbee (Family Halictidae) clings to California native, Tansy Leaved Phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia)

Many people think of bees as pests and take measures to deter them from gardens and outdoor activities to avoid being stung. However, bees are generally non-aggressive and can be easily identified by their compact, hairy bodies to distinguish against common stinging insects, such as wasps, who have long bodies with little to no hair. While there are thousands of bee species on Earth, many are identifiable through their branch-like hair, two pairs of wings, and "well-developed antennae."

Western Honeybee (Apis mellifera) + Champagne Bubbles Yellow Icelandic Poppy (Papaver nudicaule)

We can support bees and their pollination efforts by creating gardens that are attractive to many species of bees. With the right plants and a little research, your garden can attract up to fifty different bee species. Flowering California native plants can be beautiful additions to your garden while helping to support bees. 

Grandiflora by Tradescant & Son

At Kale Tree, we celebrate bees every day through our nature-inspired, eco-friendly home decor.

Bibliography

Frankie, Gordon W., et al. California Bees and Gardens. Heyday, 2014.

Jadallah, Christopher, et al. Common Bees in California Gardens. University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, 2015.

“World Bee Day.” United Nations, United Nations, 2022, https://www.un.org/en/observances/bee-day.

Kale Tree + Healthy Home Decor

Butterfly Dreams Bed by Kale Tree.

Inspired by nature, fueled by community, and made with love. At Kale Tree, we aim to uplift the global community through nature-inspired home design. The source of our namesake is a beautiful, dark green shrub with kale-like curly leaves, known as Polyscias guilfoylei. This kale-like tree is resilient and hardy despite its delicate appearance. Like many of us, it takes time to grow but needs little coddling to succeed. The beauty, versatility, and self-sufficiency of this leafy evergreen aptly represents Kale Tree and our mission to promote health and well-being by strengthening our connection to nature, inside and out.

Megalograpga moth. Photo by Sarah Barnard.

Moth Textile by Kale Tree.

Based in Southern California, we believe that our home should reflect what calms and inspires us. We find endless inspiration from the surrounding mountains, beaches, and desert landscapes. Whether it's the California native Matilija Poppy or a coastal Mangrove Tree, we extend our love of nature through thoughtful biophilic home design.

Matilija Poppy. Photo by Sarah Barnard.

Kale Tree is comprised of nature-loving creatives who value community and personal wellness with a shared commitment to conscious, sustainable home design. Founded by WELL- and LEED-accredited interior designer and naturalist Sarah Barnard, Kale Tree aspires to improve accessibility to ethically produced, eco-friendly home decor while making the conscious effort to promote wellness through socially and environmentally responsible home design.

Matilija Poppy Textile - Natural by Kale Tree.

We believe that individual wellness is directly connected to nature. Biophilic home decor has the potential to evoke similar mood-boosting effects to spending time outdoors. Our studio understands the importance of uplifting the well-being of each other and places equal value on lasting environmental health. Working from a cosmopolitical standpoint, we aim to uplift our community through closeness to nature by designing our products with conscious intent, considering the environment at every stage of our production process.

Mallow Textile in Dusty Dawn by Kale Tree.

Natural and Organic Fibers

Natural fibers provide a unique tactile experience and biodegrade more naturally over time. Kale Tree offers products made from natural and organic materials, including textiles made from Belgian Linen, New Zealand Wool rugs, and furniture made from sustainable hardwoods.

Mangrove Rug by Kale Tree.

Vegan Choices

As naturalists and animal lovers, we understand the importance of choosing products that align with your values. All of our area rugs are available in Bamboo Silk, a vegan fiber with a soft sheen derived from bamboo plants. Our textiles and wallpapers are made from cruelty-free plant-derived materials.

Mallow Wallcovering in Midnight Forest by Kale Tree.

FSC certified Hardwoods

Our furniture is handcrafted in Los Angeles from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) hardwoods. FSC certification ensures that the hardwoods we use are sourced in an environmentally responsible manner to help support sustainable forest management.

Matilija Poppy Wallpaper - Putty by Kale Tree.

Greenguard Gold Certified

We believe that a healthy home is a happy home. Kale Tree's PVC-free, low-VOC wallcoverings help maintain healthy indoor air quality and are Greenguard Gold Certified.

California native Lupine and Salvia. Photo by Sarah Barnard.

Kale tree works closely with a team of like-minded artists, designers, and artisans from diverse backgrounds to create healthful, ethically produced goods inspired by the intersection of art, design, and nature. All goods are made with love and designed with the intent to bring beauty, health, and joy to you and your home.

NATIONAL POLLINATOR WEEK

A Gulf Fritillary butterfly perches on the bougainvillea.

National Pollinator Week is an exciting new celebration of pollinators and their critical contribution to healthy ecosystems and food crops.

Proclaimed officially yesterday by the Secretary of the Interior, Pollinator week is an opportunity to encourage “…communities across the country to support the health of pollinators in North America….[and] to restore balance to nature”.

Bees, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds are all critical pollinators in California and beyond. Fascinatingly there are more varieties of hummingbirds on the west coast than on the east coast. The US Forest service explains that “in the eastern United States, there is only one kind of hummingbird, the ruby-throated hummingbird. In the southwestern states, birdwatchers can find a dozen species of hummingbirds”.

Despite their beauty and wonder, pollinators are in danger! The National Wildlife Federation offers 10 ways to help save pollinators. These suggestions include growing native plants, providing shelter (housing) for bees who don't make hives (there are a surprising amount of them!), and avoiding pesticides.

To celebrate our local pollinators, Sarah has shared some of her favorite photos of pollinators visiting her garden.

A female Carpenter bee enjoys the Senna in bloom.

Allen’s humming bird can be challenging to distinguish from the Rufous hummingbird. We think this is an Allen’s because of its trailing green back feathers.

A bee collects pollen from a wildflower.

Bees visit Pride of Madeira in Sarah’s garden.

Founded by WELL- and LEED-accredited interior designer Sarah Barnard, Kale Tree collaborates with artists and artisans. 

Based in Southern California, our studio gathers inspiration from the mountains, ocean and desert wildlife that surrounds us.

Through Kale Tree, Sarah works with a collective of like-minded artists, designers and artisans from diverse backgrounds and perspectives unified by the same commitment: To create healthful, ethically produced goods inspired by the intersection of art, design, and nature.

Kale Tree celebrates weaving, painting, illustration, sculpture, and textile design. All goods are made with love to bring beauty and inspire joy.