Comments

1. 
   frankgreenhalgh 09/14/2017

   G'day Chris - Good on you for looking after the insects. I like the pink and red flower colours in your garden. Yellow sticky traps are used in glasshouses/greenhouses to attract insect pests as part of integrated pest management. I'm wondering if yellow coloured flowers are also very effective at attracting beneficial insects to gardens or if fragrance and abundance of nectar are the key factors. Cheers from Oz

1. 
   chris_buscemi 09/14/2017

   IPM so important. I have a horticulture degree so IPM was part of the program. Very interesting and good for the environment. I don't use any pesticides. I learned working at a greenhouse not to wear yellow t shirts because it attracts the pests!

2. 
   grannieannie1 09/14/2017

   What a colorful and friendly garden you've created beckoning everyone to look and relax. Perfect!

1. 
   chris_buscemi 09/14/2017

   Thank you! My coneflowers are now on the ground from a rain we had but the goldfinches love the seeds so I just leave them and don't cut them until later. It's fun to watch the birds feasting.

3. 
   Jay_Sifford 09/14/2017

   Ultimately, a garden is successful if it brings you joy. I can tell that yours is a very successful garden. Great job!

1. 
   chris_buscemi 09/14/2017

   Thanks Jay. Maine's season is too short though! So I enjoy every minute I can!

4. 
   meander_michaele 09/14/2017

   Wow, that red/orange coneflower with its fuzzy wuzzy center sure is an eye-catcher...it definitely got my attention! And, then, for that particular picture, the color echo of the zippy looking sports car made for a great composition. Gave me tingles of gardening joy just looking at it. I can well imagine how delighted you are to sit and take it all in...and get to see and hear how so many of nature's critters are benefitting from your creativity.

1. 
   chris_buscemi 09/14/2017

   Thanks so much. Love the echinacea too. Not sure which variety it is though. My daughter gave it to me a couple years ago. Happy gardening~

5. 
   user-4691082 09/14/2017

   Good morning Chris, I just love the photo of the pink phlox and echinacea. My gut feeling would have been to use a different colored phlox, but I'm happy to be wrong!!! I too, love the seashells as a border. It shows you are embracing your surroundings, and not trying to force a different style. I just want to tell you all how wonderful it is to reach out to other GPODers in your area. I have connected with Dee and Jill in my area, and we have toured each other's gardens. Now we're planning a day trip together to a special nursery! I am also privileged to be friends with Kevin Kelly through this blog! All of these folks are better gardeners than I, but GPOD folks are a kind and welcoming group! Thanks to Kim Charles for keeping us going!

1. 
   user-7007498 09/14/2017

   Good morning, Rhonda. Thanks for the shout out. You have caught my curiosity, what special nursery are you going to?

   I am also thinking about a fall visit to Mt. Cuba (maybe Sunday, October 1st). Any interest? Dee and Jill could meet up as well.

1. 
   user-4691082 09/14/2017

   We're going to Conestoga gardens/nursery on Thursday September 28th! Johnny and I are going to sail on the Kalmar Nyckel on 10/1. Since Johnny is Swedish, it's a full size replica of the ship that brought the Swedes to settle Wilmington, DE in the 1600's. Wish you and Kathy could come to either one! And Frank too!

1. 
   frankgreenhalgh 09/14/2017

   Sounds very interesting indeed, Rhonda. You never know, I might surprise you one day. Have a look at this pic. taken yesterday near us - somebody is going to be doubly lucky. Cheers my friend
   

1. 
   user-7007498 09/14/2017

   That picture is awesome, Frank.

2. 
   LindaonWhidbey 09/14/2017

   Hi Frank, great photo?

3. 
   user-4691082 09/14/2017

   I can't believe how beautiful that is! Boy, would I love to take a photo like that!

4. 
   meander_michaele 09/14/2017

   Fascinatingly beautiful picture.

5. 
   Maggieat11 09/14/2017

   Fabulous photo! thanks for sharing!!

2. 
   user-7007498 09/14/2017

   Sounds like fun. I was just at Conestoga Garden last Friday, as part of a Bus Trip/Garden Tour from the Harrisburg area. We went to Nemours Mansion, Mt. Cuba, and Conestoga Garden. Had a good time.

   Sounds like the boating excursion should be fun. Will check with Kathy, but I know she is not a fan of boats.

2. 
   chris_buscemi 09/14/2017

   Thanks Rhonda. My daughter gave me the echinacea and I didn't know if it would work but I like it. That's great you have made some friends with GPOD. This is my first using it.

6. 
   Sunshine111 09/14/2017

   Gorgeous! Can I come visit?

1. 
   chris_buscemi 09/14/2017

   Sure!

1. 
   Sunshine111 09/14/2017

   Is your Facebook photo a picture of you standing next to a door with an arch? Because I can send you a friend request if you like.

7. 
   user-7007498 09/14/2017

   Good morning, Chris. I love your pollinator garden, and am glad you are enjoying your creation (the most important thing for a garden). I love the color echo between the red double echinacea and the convertible in the 5th picture :)
   Thanks for sharing.

1. 
   chris_buscemi 09/14/2017

   Thanks Kevin. Yes, enjoying your garden is important. It means different things to different people. Happy gardening!

8. 
   treasuresmom 09/14/2017

   Love it all!!!!

1. 
   chris_buscemi 09/14/2017

   Thank you! How can you go wrong with beautiful plants right? I think everyone has a green thumb with a little love and patience and on line resources and tips from gardener friends!

9. 
   user-7008888 09/14/2017

   Your gardens are absolutely beautiful and I love all the colors!! You are very talented. ?

1. 
   chris_buscemi 09/14/2017

   Thank you, Lisa. I hear you are talented as well!

10. 
    perenniallycrazy 09/14/2017

    Pretty in pink indeed!

1. 
   chris_buscemi 09/14/2017

   Wahoo!

11. 
    Tim_Zone_Denial_Vojt 09/14/2017

    Great pollinator garden! It's wonderful that you can enjoy your garden views from inside as well. I'm trying to pay attention to that more and more. What's the tiered, variegated tree? Cornus alternifolia?

1. 
   chris_buscemi 09/14/2017

   Thanks Tim. It is good to go inside your home (kitchen window, bedroom, sitting room) and sit down in a chair as well to see what you see outside and how to place your gardens. Yes, it is a Pagoda dogwood. Got it when it was 1 foot. It's leaning though so I have to stake it up better. It's beautiful foliage.

12. 
    sheila_schultz 09/14/2017

    Your garden is not only a feast for the eye but also a full blown buffet for the all pollinators that happen to be in your neck of the woods! There is no wonder that it gives you such joy! Monarch's are definitely thriving in Wells, ME thanks to your passion for pink!

1. 
   chris_buscemi 09/14/2017

   Thank you Sheila. Pollinators are so important.

13. 
    greengenes 09/14/2017

    This is so nice Chris! Love all the pink and red! And it matches your car too! That is wonderful how youmake it for the bees and butterflies. There is so much to see just sitting and observing! Thanks so much for inspiring us today!

1. 
   chris_buscemi 09/14/2017

   Thank you! Beautiful day in Maine today. 80 degrees at the beach!

14. 
    LindaonWhidbey 09/14/2017

    Good morning, Chris. Your pink garden is so cheerful and I love the chartreuse tree as a backdrop. I don't know if it's just my imagination, but there seem to be many more pollinators around this year. Our lavenders and calamintha 'Montrose White' are a constant buzz of activity as your echinaceas must be. Thanks for letting us enjoy your garden with you.

1. 
   chris_buscemi 09/14/2017

   Thank you. Yes, I have seen many monarchs and bees. Very encouraging! They also love hyssop! (Agastache)

15. 
    Cenepk10 09/14/2017

    So gorgeous. Great photos too

1. 
   chris_buscemi 09/14/2017

   Thank you! It's fun to take photos of the butterflies.

2. 
   chris_buscemi 09/14/2017

   Thank you!!

16. 
    tennisluv 09/14/2017

    Chris, great pollinator garden. Your color combinations are nice. I would not of thought to combine strong reds and pinks in the same bed, but it definitely works. And the snazzy red convertible adds to the flash. You obviously have two delightful spots from which to enjoy the breezes.

1. 
   chris_buscemi 09/14/2017

   Thanks Sonya. My favorite things. Gardening and my Miata!

17. 
    chris_buscemi 09/14/2017

    Thanks Diane. I also use a compost from a farm here that has bits of shells in it for nutrients. It works great. Enjoy the fall!

18. 
    Maggieat11 09/14/2017

    Your gardens are beautiful and my favorite photo is the second one of the Echinacea and Phlox! Of course, the photo that includes the car is a great shot as well. Is the red Echinacea "Hot Papaya"?

19. 
    user-6536305 09/15/2017

    Your pink and purple combination is beautiful and your garden is full of life! Thanks for sharing!

20. 
    mjensen 09/15/2017

    beautiful, cone flowers are my favorite.

21. 
    thevioletfern 09/19/2017

    I am tickled pink! I, too, enjoy watching the bees and other magical creatures that bring a garden to life. A native pink Joe-Pye Weed would attract more to your garden - not necessary as your garden is lovely! - but I am always on the lookout for bee-attracting suggestions and thought perhaps you would be, too.

22. 
    user-7008931 10/03/2017

    Absolutely gorgeous garden! Remember to leave all that foliage over the winter—you'll enjoy an encore of bird life that will come and enjoy the seeds from your echinacea and Russian sage! In Idaho, I have goldfinches and other birds that come and dine on the bounty and they appreciate the cover of the old foliage on snowy, cold days.