Village Library
Containers and Gardens
In the spring of 2010, members of the Landings Garden Club noticed while visiting the Village Library on Skidaway Island that the gardens and urns flanking the library entrance had not been maintained. Making a presentation to the Club Board, The Landings Garden Club established the Library Project to keep the entrance gardens and urns beautiful for all the island residents. The gardens were designed and planted with color flowers and shrubs. The volunteers planted Florida Red Anise and Lucothoe axillaris to enhance the existing native perennials. There are also two urns that flank the doorway which are planted with colorful perennials and annuals. These plantings are changed three to four times a year to reflect the seasons and depending on severe weather that might require additional maintenance.
2020 was an interesting year for library gardening since the library was totally closed due to the COVID pandemic for most of the year. Due to the in-activity in and around the library, the large population of island deer had free rein and always seemed happy with the plants in the urns. A variety of flowering plants and greenery was used this year. A favorite was the deep pink nemesis, it did extremely well from winter through spring. Summer plantings featured cordyline, creeping Jenny, Pentas and small cascading petunias. The deer were really pleased. The plants were changed out several times and deer repellant sprayed religiously but in the end all that would survive were the Pentas, creeping Jenny and cordyline. Library Workers who opened shop outside a few afternoons a week loved being surrounded by butterflies and the other pollinators. For fall and winter, thanks to mild weather, the croton, calendulas, viola plants flourished. Little pumpkins were added as interest for Fall and a beautiful Garden Club bow adorned the urns for December.
