Today’s photos are from Claudia Meyer.
I am living in a new condo on the opposite side of a park in southeastern Wisconsin.
We have a berm that the builder allowed to grow wild, and so we worked on ridding the hillside of invasive plants and put in a redbud (Cercis canadensis, Zones 5–9) and butterfly garden. It has been an amazing summer watching what comes to the birdbath and bird feeders. I never knew how much appreciation wildlife had for a water source. We even had a fox drinking from the birdbath.
These planters are sitting just off my covered porch and are mostly shade-loving plants.
The planters get early to mid-morning sun and then shade. We have enjoyed the size of the coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides, Zones 10–11 or as an annual) and yellow impatiens (Impatiens hybrid, Zones 10–11 or as an annual).
Pink geraniums (Pelargonium hybrid, Zones 9–10 or as an annual) in a pig planter.
The garden this year invited a leaf bug, a praying mantis, a stick walker, hummingbird moths, and hummingbirds.
I’ve been gardening my whole adult life and had the most enjoyment this year creating an invitation and respite for the wild around me.
Have a garden you’d like to share?
Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!
To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.
Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening!
Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here.
Fine Gardening Recommended Products
The New Organic Grower, 3rd Edition: A Master's Manual of Tools and Techniques for the Home and Market Gardener, 30th Anniversary Edition
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Organo Republic 16 Perennial Wildflower Seeds Mix for Indoor & Outdoors
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Gardener's Log Book from NYBG
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Comments
Wonderful job, and fun. I really like it when people put the time and energy into the place where they live.
You obviously know how a garden and the observation of nature around us enriches our daily lives. You've created a cute little garden sanctuary for yourself and wildlife with your fanciful pots and plants!
Wow what a gorgeous gigantic Coleus you've grown, it sure likes the conditions there!
I alway have water out for birds and animals (up high and down low) and I too only recently realized how important a water source is in the winter since I bought a bird bath deicer (an electric thing that keeps water from freezing) You might enjoy one in your cold temps too!
Also great photo of the visiting leaf bug on your garden chair!
Lovely little garden - I love the pig planter and the metal chickens, too. Everything is so bright and happy.
I love how you are drawing nature in....and also the chickens and especially that Pig Planter!
Log in or create an account to post a comment.
Sign up Log in