Howard County Library Asks: How Does Your Enchanted Garden Grow?

Everyone is excited about construction progress at Howard County Library System's new Miller Branch. But did you know that the plans also include an Enchanted Garden, with construction beginning in July and a grand opening scheduled for May 2012?

The garden is an outdoor learning space for growing healthy habits. Its design incorporates aspects of the new building, including stone entrance walls to remind visitors of the local Ellicott City granite and mill town history, and green, sustainable features such as permeable pathway surfaces, a rain garden, a bio swale, rain barrels, and composting.

Visitors may explore spaces that open from the end of a tunnel of roses, or discover themed planting areas such as the pizza and stir-fry gardens. Other areas feature whimsical literary references, such as the “Blueberries for Sal” blueberry bushes in the demonstration garden. Customers can participate in scavenger hunts to search for the toad house, the frog sculpture, or the biggest zucchini, as gardeners grow food in the community garden.

Planned classes include Science in the Garden, Monet in the Garden, and Insectigations to learn facts about bugs in the garden. Visitors may also enjoy a multisensory children’s garden tour, sitting on a bench to appreciate the native flowering trees in spring, and Black Eyed Susans (the Maryland state flower) in the summer.

Get involved with this exciting new project by sponsoring an engraved paver - $250 family; $500 corporate, or a handprint tile - $100 (for ages 18 and under). Pavers will be placed in the main gathering area, with tables and chairs for relaxing. Children’s hand print tiles create beautiful artwork for the stone entry walls. Tile creation dates are scheduled in June through September at Miller Branch.

There are also opportunities to sponsor garden features such as: a heron fountain; donor plaques on sitting benches; raised beds for demonstration gardening; and signs for the rain garden, pond, and other educational areas. Volunteers will be needed to maintain planting areas, to lead tours of the garden, and to grow vegetables and plants in the raised planters. The Library welcomes new ideas for classes and other activities that strengthen the health, nutrition, and environmental education curriculum.

For more information, visit hclibrary.org/order_paver or call Rita Hamlet at 410.313.7799.