A State of Higher Gardening

We are so fortunate to live in the shadows of Mount Oread, the steep climb to the apex of the hill will find you smack dab in the center of the University of Kansas and essentially the hub of Lawrence.  Activities are vast, higher learning takes place inside the thick stone walls, a spot of quiet repose occurs while nestled with a book under a stained glass window at Watson Library, or possibly enjoying a gorgeous spring day by stretching out on the lush green carpet of one of the lawns sitting indulging in some reflective thoughts under a shade tree.   The University has such a plethora of attributes to offer forth to Lawrencians but one of the unsurpassed ways to spend a little time is soaking in the immaculate landscaping.  Put on your walking shoes, get out of the shadows, tread up the hill and take a little time to explore the flora that is perched atop of our fair city.

Mike Lang, Campus Landscape Manager, graciously reserved a bit of time out of his hectic schedule to take me on a walking tour of KU.  With 1000 acres to manage and only 30 crew members to accomplish this massive task Lang looks at his job as one of maintenance and replenishing, and lately Mother Nature has kept his crew incredibly busy.  He states, “I’m most proud of our response after the microburst storm.  We had everything cleaned up in a relatively short amount of time, the crews were spectacular.  It is really a gardeners dream to have such an outstanding team and 1000 acres to play with.”  Most of us have heard that 60% of all the university buildings were damaged, but did you know that the campus lost 129 trees to the storm, one of them being a state champion Pin Oak near Potter’s Lake.   

As we meander past the Natural History Museum Lang points out the two White Fringe Trees that are right at the entrance, this is one of his favorite trees, though they grow slowly they are quite hardy and produce a lovely, delicate lacy look.  I ask about a gnarly, knotted pine that is rooted next to the museum, it is an old stately White Pine but it will possibly not last for long as Lang explains, “We will probably lose all our Scotch Pines to the Nematoed which is a microscopic worm like creature that gets into the Pines.  It is comparable to heart disease in humans; they attack the vascular system of the tree.”

The annual beds in front of Frazier Hall have been removed of the tulip bulbs that were a wash with brilliant colors; they wait to be replanted with Celosias or Begonias for their summer show.  The yearly budget for annuals is around $12,000, Lang and his crew planted 15,000 tulip bulbs this past fall and they are now planting 7,000 summer beauties to provide a splash of color throughout our hot, dry months.  Lang says, “We try to use landscape annuals.  We simply don’t have the man power to deadhead, so we try to have plants that take care of themselves.”

Lang stretches his finger to point out a Limber Pine that was a dedicated tree, he explains, “There are hundreds of gift trees, many are maples or oaks because people want long living trees.  We are planting a few memorial trees in front of Danforth Chapel soon.”  Presently in front of Danforth and lined up along Lilac Lane are 5 or 6 Japanese Tree Lilacs that will be in full bloom soon and provide a heady scent down the winding road.  Just behind Danforth is a bed that is home to Pink Ruffles Crepemyrtle, a dwarf shrub that gives you blooms and color in August and September when color can be hard to find.

We arrive at the Chancellor’s Residence that has an array of feasts for the eyes; the most noticeable is the State Champion Japanese Maple that arches over the circular drive.  Its crimson colors sparkle in the sun, its shape and size are the characteristics that garnered the tree with such an honor and it is truly spectacular!  Red Ribbons Roses are planted in a substantial grouping on the front lawn; they don a blood red hue with a yellow center and will be in full glory any day.  The white and pink Dogwoods frame the palatial home with their delicate blooms, fluttering softly in the breeze.  One of Lang’s favorite shrubs, Pearl Bush, hugs the back of the property making an excellent natural barrier from the sorority and fraternity houses behind the estate.  Next to the front porch the leaves of the Oakleaf Hydrangeas are filling in, sure to put on a marvelous show in a few weeks.

One of the more exclusive trees you’ll find on campus is centrally located, Lang says, “Right in front of Strong Hall is a Persimmon in Golden Jubilee, this is very unique to this area.  It is native to the timbers but not often found in landscaping like this one is.”  There is fruiting Pear Trees blooming in between Marvin and Lippencott Halls.  Knockout Roses will be providing gorgeous displays in front of Watson Library and Burt Hall.  But of the entire flora available to Lang he does have a few favorites, he states, “I really appreciate the Vibernums, they have a wonderful size and shape, they can tolerate sun or shade.  A novice gardener cannot go wrong with planting a few of these.  As Michael Dirr the foremost authority on woody plant material writes in his book, ‘A garden without Viburnums is akin to life without music and art.’”

You can find the Korean Spice variety located on the West entry of Lippencott Hall, which can be found next spring by following the fragrant scent of their flowers. A newer planting of a less familiar variety ‘Winterthur’ is located behind the stone sign on the West end of Memorial Drive.

The topography of the University of Kansas has such an easy, flowing contour with its many tiers and slopes and nothing illuminates that more than Memorial Drive.  The winding drive is mostly rooted with native trees.  At the west end a Bayberry shrub towers with its waxy leaves and aromatic fragrance, this is another favorite flora for Lang.  Cornelin Cherry Dogwoods bloom in small clusters of yellow along the serpentine path, a full and fascinating tactile experience waits near the Campanile with the Smoke Trees and the various pines.  Synonymous with Potter’s Lake are the Weeping Willow trees that cling onto the banks of the picturesque pond, Lang thinks these are nice looking trees but warns that they are labor intensive.  I want to know more about the perfectly shaped Sycamore Tree that clings to the side of the hill and provides a canopy of shade for tailgating before a football games.  Lang thinks the Sycamore may have been a State Champion tree at one point although he is not sure of that distinction, even if it has never been publicly crowned it is a magnificent tree and a glorious sight.

It is all so gorgeous, the stately, towering trees, the full shrubs, the dependable perennials and the ever-changing annual beds.  When I ask Lang what he would recommend for visitors to not miss, he states, “I couldn’t really pick a particular spot that is my favorite, but if I were visiting I would want to walk down Jayhawk Boulevard to enjoy the landscaping and the annual plantings at Chi-O fountain, Strong Hall, Budig Hall, Watson Library, and Smith Hall. These are just some of the annual beds in which we try to keep color in from early spring until fall. A walk down Memorial Drive would also provide a visitor with landscaping and views at the Campanile, Korean War Memorial, and the Vietnam War Memorial.”  In other words, loosen up those muscles and strap on some comfortable shoes but don’t let the enormity of 1000 acres deter you from taking a walking tour of campus, it is worth every blister.