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wednesday ◀
5.5.99 ◀
eight.a
daily kansan
In Bloom
University landscapers work yearround to cultivate campus grounds
Story by Courtney Cullor • Photos by Graham K. Johnson
oses are red and violets usually are purple. Unfortunately for the University of Kansas landscaping crew, this holds true.
"It's easy to find flowers with red blooms," said Bence Williams, assistant director of facilities operations personnel services. "But Mother Nature doesn't care much o flowers."
Every spring, the University's landscaping crew plants red and blue flowers in honor of the University's school colors.
Williams supervises the planting of most of the flower beds on campus.
"You look in the gardening catalogs, and they advertise blue flowers," Williams said. "Well, they're not blue at all; they're purple."
"And this wouldn't go over well here. We try to avoid purple flowers for sure, but it's hard to distinguish between blue and purple."
According to Williams, shopping for flowers is a year-round job. Every year, the University sends out contracts to potential suppliers, who give bids.
Contracts that specify the size, color, and species of flowers are sent out like any other University contracts. Much planning and price comparison must be considered before the flowers can be ordered. Williams said.
Consider the huge numbers of flower beds on the KU campus and then consider making the orders. Williams' job is not an easy one.
The University spends about $15,000 a year to plant 18,000 plants, said Wayne Reusch, physical plant supervisor for the department of facilities operations.
Williams said the landscape crew helped to get the job done. Reusch said he used the principles of xeriscaping in various Lawrence locations and on the KU campus.
Williams said the landscape crew helped to get the job done.
Aeriscaping — from Greek word "dry" — is changing the way the University covers its plants. This technique saves water by replacing thirsty plants and grasses with tough flora in a
planned design. The object is to create a water-efficient landscape.
Williams said he wished that it were possible to have even more flower beds on campus. But because planting time conflicts with commencement preparations, the staff does not have enough time to do the weeding and watering required for more summer flower beds.
"Graduation flowers come in the Friday before graduation, so it takes a lot of time just to get all the flowers on campus to match." Reusch said.
In the past, groups, including environmental organizations, have volunteered to tend specific flower beds.
"That may work for a while," said Williams. "But students are transient and what works for one year may not appeal to the group next year."
So do students notice a difference when flowers are planted in the spring?
"I have never noticed that KU's flowers match the University," said Tim Badley, Arkansas City, senior. "I just noticed that they were pretty. KU could have more flowers because more flowers means more happy people."
Ruth Leibowitz, Lawrence graduate student, said that her mind was too occupied to truly appreciate the campus gardens.
"Graduate students are so overworked that we pay no attention," she said. "Even though I like flowers, and I'm sure they're pretty, I just don't have the time to look at them."
Leilian Patterson, Hutchinson junior, said she thought the campus was prettiest in the spring when the flowers bloom.
"My name means 'heavenly flower,' so I was born to like flowers." Patterson said, "I notice that there are lots of red flowers."
ers, Pattie son said. The office that team was interested in comments from students and that it took student comments seriously in its planning. Williams said that if the staff heard positive comments about specific flowers or flower beds, it tried to keep them the same for the next year.
Top: A border of sunset-orange flowers warms the landscape outside Dole Human Development Center.
Above: A monarch butterfly takes a rest on a lilac bush by the Campanile.
Campus Blues
Because the University of Kansas chooses to support school spirit with its use of crimson and blue blossoms, plant choices are limited.
Flowers bloom in shades of red purple, yellow, orange.
white and pink.
Rarely do they bloom in blue.
But many annuals, such as bachelor's buttons, morning glory, alyssum and
petunias do come in
single colors. And with single colors,it's important to pay attention to the seating arrangement of the flowers, which can create a rich reward for creative impulses and eyes.
One bachelor's button standing alone does not make much of a show, but a solid two-foot patch of bachelor buttons bordered with a two-foot layer of crimson geraniums makes a bold statement, said Bence Williams, assistant director of the department of facilities operations.
Distance must also be considered when planting
sidered when planting flowers. The color red tends to attract the viewer. Blue flowers are a better choice for distance viewing. Williams said it was important to try new combinations and offer a variety of visual pleasures.
To comment on the flowers on campus, call the production control unit at 864-4770, or the landscape area at 864-4535.
Some arrangements, such as the new landscaping around Budig Hall, are designed by an outside landscaping firm with facilities operations doing the maintenance. Other flower beds, such as those at the new Visitors Center, are designed and planted by the facilities operations staff.
For the horticulturist at heart, there are several web sites on flowers and garden design:
www.fernlea.com
www.garden guide.com
www.qarden.com
www.garden.com
www.hngtv.com
www.martha stewart.com
Editor's note: Courtney Cullor, KUJH reporter, teamed up with Ezra Sykes, Kansan reporter to complete the project. Watch for the KUJH broadcast of this feature story.
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