Garden Club Wins National Award

The DeFuniak Springs Garden Club won “The Historic Gardens Award” presented by National Garden Clubs, Inc. for it’s work at the DeFuniak Springs Library. The award was presented at the National Garden Club Convention held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, May 20-22, 2005. The “Historic Gardens Award” is a competition for Garden Clubs throughout the United States who have chosen to restore, preserve or create an appropriate landscape at a historical building. The DeFuniak Springs Garden Club created “The DeFuniak Springs Library Reading Garden” on the south and east walls of the DeFuniak Library ( Est. 1887) where no landscape enhancements had previously existed. There was just an unsightly sandy, erosion-plagued area prior to the club developing the “Garden”. Club member Barbara Allen designed and spearheaded the project. Since the project started in 2003 almost every club member has helped in some area of it’s growth. The Walton Co. Master Gardener group has endorsed the project for it’s educational component and several of its members are active in helping to maintain the garden along with the garden club’s members.. The City of DeFuniak has also been very supportive in providing manpower, installing the brick paver pathways, and irrigation work.

The project was highly praised by The National Garden Club, Inc. for the appropriate choice of using native plants that would have been common at the turn of the century. They also were impressed with the choice of pathway materials that complimented the existing structure of the historic building. The project was praised for its educational value and it’s compatibility to its library location. The club was also praised for the Native Plant Sale and Education day held each year at the Library. The club was awarded $100 along with the award certificate. The money will be spent to further develop the reading garden.

Brick walks added in 2004

The library garden gets a picket fence and entry arbor

Twelve club  members planted 37 new native plants and weeded at the garden on March 8th. On March 22nd in the pouring rain 5 brave souls  planted an additional 148 native plants. Many plants are already starting to bloom. If you need some good ideas for beautiful spring color to add to your yard, come take a look. Florida native plants make great choices for beauty and attract butterflies and birds. They are virtually disease and pest free and easy to maintain.

Ward-McDonald memorial Company generously donated a beautifully engraved granite stone sign that welcomes all visitors.

Time to start on the North side of the Library now...

North side of library - next phase. Barb with design for it (right)