C.J. Hanauer
An Eastern Carpenter Bee is dwarfed by Jesse Hall as it pollinates a Rose of Sharon on Sept. 16 outside Switzler Hall in Columbia, Mo. Several Rose of Sharon bushes can be found across the University’s campus.
At the University of Missouri, many eye-catching plants can be seen on the designated tree trails on campus, especially as the autumn season approaches.
Mizzou’s campus is a botanic garden and Level II arboretum, one of only 10 universities in the country that has both designations.
Joe Kovolyan, director of landscape services and the botanic garden, plays an important part in keeping the garden in top shape. This past year, he and the Landscape Services staff worked to earn the arboretum accreditation as well as a Tree Campus Higher Education recognition, all while maintaining Mizzou’s botanic garden designation for the 26th year.
On the Jesse Hall Trail, which Kovolyan’s staff maintains, you can find trees like English Oak and Yellow Buckeye around the Francis Quadrangle. The purple Rose of Sharon bush outside Switzler Hall brings a pop of color, and flowering plants like butterfly-bush and crape-myrtle can also be commonly seen.
The botanic garden labels the plants with their common and scientific names on the tree trails, which can be an engaging learning opportunity for students and visitors alike.
“We have 100 trees that are labeled [on the tree trails],” said Kovolyan. “I think it’s important as an educational institution that we have things that people can learn from.”
The abundance of flora also gives students majoring in plant science the unique opportunity to study mid-Missouri’s plants up close. Instructor in the Plant Science & Technology program Tim Moloney utilizes the garden to teach his students.
“Not all plant science students around the country can say they learn within a botanical garden,” Moloney said. “It’s really hard to learn plants thoroughly without handling them [and] without walking among them.”
In addition to being educational, the botanic garden connects the Columbia and Mizzou communities by giving them opportunities to give back to the surrounding nature.
“Last year we did a small tree planting [at Peace Park] with a local elementary school,” said Kovolyan. “We’ve done a couple tables where we’ve given away tree saplings and information. It’s just making sure the student body can interact a little bit and the university shows a commitment to their tree canopy.”
As for his landscaping goals, Kovolyan wants to make Mizzou’s campus feel welcoming for years to come.
“We want to give you, the student, the nicest experience that you can have while you live here for four years,” Kovolyan said. “We want you to come back as alumni, and we want you to come back with your families.”
Edited by Sabrina Pan | [email protected]
Copy edited by Emma Harper | [email protected]
Edited by Alex Gribb | [email protected]