Chris Gardens on the Wild Side in Colorado


Hi GPODers!

No matter where you garden, you have to contend with wildlife. Deer, rabbits and even squirrels can cause all kinds of garden mischief in just about every corner of North America. However, some of us have a wider range of wild garden visitors to contend with. Chris in Colorado Springs, Colorado (Zones 4-5) has to deal with some extreme climate conditions, but it is the wildlife that make frequent appearances in his landscape that would raise most gardeners’ eyebrows. Despite all of this, he manages to maintain a lush landscape with lots of lively blooms.

My garden is located at the foothills of Colorado Springs. It is next to the Pike National Forest. Many wild animals are in the yard. Always on the watch out for mountain lions, bighorn sheep, and bears. I am a Master Gardener here in Colorado. My yard is fully on drip system to conserve water, All areas of my yard is covered with Gorilla Hair mulch, about 5 to 6 inches deep.. to help conserve water.

summer garden with orange flowers in the foregroundGarden tour for two years in Colorado. Such a challenge to grow in Colorado.

bighorn sheep in gardenBighorn visit almost everyday wanting to see the gardens.

red flowers in pot on pillarGate opening to the lower yard

green lawn in gardenAmazing how green the yard is being in a desert like area.

pink peonies with purple sageEven peonies grow here!

close up of sneezeweed flowerThe beautiful fall colors of sneezeweed

red and white striped begonia flowersBegonias baskets fill the sky with colors!

large, tall container with purple foliage plantedContainer gardening with lots of spillers

close up of peachy-pink roseDavid Austin roses grow well here.

two dogs with silly hats onEven my pups get into gardening… Dog days of summer

Thank you so much for sharing all of this spectacular color from your garden, Chris! It is incredible to see the traditional garden plants you’re able to grow alongside your very non-traditional garden visitors.

It’s always fascinating to see the different kinds of wildlife that visit gardens in different regions and climates. From the critters that like to sample our latest plantings to the birds that add beautiful songs to our landscapes—what wildlife have you photographed in your garden? Follow the NEW directions below to submit your photos to Garden Photo of the Day!

 

We want to see YOUR garden!

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, fill out the Garden Photo of the Day Submission Form.

You can also 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.

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