b"maintenance, from weeding to watering.Here in Central Florida, great care needs to be given to which plants are chosen,WHERE INNOVATIONas its a decision thats reliant on so much more than just basic color schemes. The library garden is particularly tricky because of its exposure. The garden receives full sun, making thoughtful plant selection and irrigationMEETS CONNECTIVITYTending Tradition particularly important, Thornhill points out.At the heart of Floridas innovation corridor, the CentralTALLAHASSEE JACKSONVILLEThe team, then, needs to be strategic, as they cant just plant delicate ferns and hope for the best. In Winter Havens hot summer sun, that would be a recipe forFlorida Innovation District connects world-class dead plants. research, emerging technologies, and next-generation Winter Haven Garden Clubs When designing the garden, talent in a future-ready environmentideal for weconsiderseasonalcolor , plantcompatibility ,businesses looking to grow and shape the future. G2 RC2 G I n ( ( ( ( ( n 2 1ov 5 4 3 ) ) ) ) ) ~ ~ ~TAMPA 3 6 2 0 0 0 5 a a a a c c cr r r e e e s s s rict GatewDedication Blooms Outside Library ~a t7io n a ccDrrieessst ay heattolerance , and how the space is WTP FPU RC4 R FRED JONES BLVD WTP R We ( ( ( ( ~ ( i 3 2 5 1e) 4 s l1 ) ) ) ) iaa 2 ~r~ ~ ~m~ 0 c 1 1 2s5 3 9 2 h a 3 2 0 4 c Te 0 5a r e c a a a c Dcerr s h r n vessl e e o s s lo o g p y mPa en r t k ORLANDOused by the public.LAKELAND, FL G1 LC3 RD5 UNIVERSITY BLVD RD1 RC1 G3 LC2 RD2 G4 RD R F l1o7r i e ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( 2 2 3 4 3 4 1 t e)s t~ya ) ) ) ) ) ) ) i 0di~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ l& a a2 2 1 1 2 1 1 8 l e 2 2 7 0 0 0 0+ 50 5 & 0 0 0 0oaca a s c c a arcc a m C r r c cersee m r m s s e e e esr s s s m c u i e c n i U ty nive POLK COUNTY rsityby REBEKAH PIERCE LC1 G3 RC L f1 cProe C 0a cerseFPU 5l yatcercehsnJenifer Thornhill RENEW GY G3 LC4 PACE RD RD3 LC R A Re d ( ~s( 2 1 v 3d5e0ni ) ) an t ai c arl Marcoerr e a s c n r re e u s s facturing MIAMIceENERABLE RESEARCHAM2 AM ~c1e6d00aacWhen designing the garden, we consider seasonal color, plant compatibility,ST STS E H Po u x i 4n g7h5- i n s T r~a x1 0/eds S n&F d sDR OT a n il dS s tation Optionsapcereheat tolerance, and how the space is used by the public, Thornhill says. TheAM1 I F Fut u utrie i s n tg g a R Weitllsa /as P // D k D w r ay v ie vsesT rTarialEnxtiesrt tReodasr Central Florida result of all this planning and maintenance is a rotating display that keeps theRC3 RD4 Eunvt ir roenmoeandtsal Grri eenbeltentrance looking fresh year-round.G5 G5 Innovation DistrictHome of Floridas AAM HeadquartersBERKLEY RDIf you happened to visit the library during the holiday season, you may haveCONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS 0 1,000 2,500 5000 1M 570 BRADDOK RD NORTH MAY 2023SunTrax is expanding its capabilities toetrl ri I nnovation D istrict .com 11.8+ 3,000+had the opportunity to see this planning in action, when the garden was refreshedwww.C n a F lodaleverage its state-of-the-art test and verificationMILLION PEOPLE ACRESwith a seasonal theme.facilities, adding a new landing site and dedicated airspaceWITHIN 100 MILES WITHIN THE DISTRICTFor the holiday season, poinsettias and SunPatiens in classic red and whiteto advance and validate next-generation Advanced Air have performed well, with pink SunPatiens added this year for added depth,Mobility (AAM) technologies. 95K+ 25+Thornhill notes. POST-SECONDARYINSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNINGThen, as the seasons shift, so, too, does the strategy.AWARDS ANNUALLY WITHIN 50 MILESWITHIN THE REGIONIn [the] spring, poinsettias are replaced with coleus while SunPatiens remain,HEALTHTECH ADVANCED MOBILITY & INFORMATIONMANUFACTURING INNOVATION SCIENCES she says. They also add sensory details that you might miss if youre rushing to& ENGINEERINGreturn a book. Fragrant alyssum is added along the mosaic stepping-stone pathwayCONNECT TO NEW OPPORTUNITIEScreated and installed by club members. www.cfdc.org|(863) 937-4430In the summer, the real expertise of the group comes to life, as the delicate plants need to be replaced by those that are more heat-tolerant. During the summer and fall months, SunPatiens are replaced with more drought-andheat-tolerantplantssuchasmarigolds,Africandaisies,lantana,Concrete Services in Polk Countyblanketflower,coreopsis(Floridasofficialstatewildflower),andverbenas, Thornhill continues.Clearly,managingthisconstantrotationtakesseriousorganizationand dedication. The leadership of the library garden rotates every two years through Concrete Ready Mixa Library Garden General chairman, Thornhill explains, and then individualProviding Residential andclub members can sign up each month to help with the ongoing maintenance. Crushed Concrete Commercial Concrete Work for ThiskindofstructuredapproachhelpsThornhillandherfellowmembersOver 42 Years.make sure the garden never falls into disrepair, as someone is always watching, Road Basewatering, or weeding.AndwhilethelibraryistheGardenClubscrownjewel,itsnotitsonly contribution to the citys landscape. Beyond the Library garden, the club has supported many public projects over the decades, Thornhill says. These include public school garden initiatives, the original landscaping of the renovated Historic Derry Down building, and maintenance of planter pots along Central Avenue prior to the Librarys downtown move.With its centennial right around the corner, the club isnt slowing down by any means.As the club approaches its 100th anniversary in 2027, members are once againSupporting Youth in AgA & Lgiving back through a centennial fundraising effort to give the City of Winter Haven a permanent public sculpture, Thornhill reveals. Thesculpture,designedbyWinterHavenartistWilliamLarence,willSINCE 1983commemorate the area's profound citrus heritage as well as its many lakes, both of which are symbols of Winter Havens agricultural past and present. It will beMaterialspositioned just outside the entrance to the Winter Haven Public Library, right near1380 42nd Street NW the garden the Club has tended for decades. Winter Haven, Fla. If you love walking past those flowers every morning, the good news is that you dont need a green thumb to support the effort. The club is actively lookingCall for community backing for its centennial project. You can donate directly to the(863) 551-0980sculpture fund or simply support the clubs ongoing efforts. agFloridaAgNews.com CFAN | 11"