Current Container Design at Lowry Mall
Summer 2012
Succulents Rock On Lowry – Madeline Beyer
Mizzou Botanic Garden and the University of Missouri Geology Department collaborated to create rock display gardens this summer on Lowry Mall. The displays pair a variety of both hearty and tropical succulent plants with rocks -- including sandstone, tuff and basalt – found in Missouri and the southwestern region of the United States.
Because succulents are known for their ability to retain water in arid climates and they are easy to propagate, it saves energy and money to use them in the landscape. Succulents on a smaller scale are also used near the Chancellor’s Residence on Francis Quadrangle.
Mizzou Botanic Garden designers chose to include texture and visual interest to the displays and contacted the geology department. While it was not the first time Landscape Services had worked with an academic department, Charles Paxton, assistant superintendent of Landscape Services, said it was an ideal match.
“It made sense that the rocks would look good with the succulents for the summer display,” Paxton said. "Campus Facilities are always encouraged to look for opportunities to work with academic departments.”
The partnership provided an opportunity for Alan Whittington, a professor of geological sciences and advisor to the Geology Club, to share his knowledge of rock formations. During the spring semester, he took club members and undergraduate students on field trips and hand selected rocks for each display.
“I’m really in favor of outreach," Whittington said. "The fieldtrips are the highlight for students and the best learning experience. Instead of sitting in a classroom, they are actually excited about learning about rocks. This project gives them an opportunity to see the rocks they found in a garden environment.”
Mizzou Botanic Garden and geology department are also using technology to help excite and educate visitors. QR codes were placed on the displays that take visitors to Mizzou Botanic Garden’s website where more detailed descriptions of plants and rocks can be found, including field photos of many of the rocks and the botanical name of each plant.
Both Whittington and Paxton said they've enjoyed the collaboration and hope to collaborate in the future. Whittington hopes to someday have a permanent rock installation elsewhere on campus.
The succulent and rock display will be on Lowery Mall until late October.
Container Plants
Succulents:
Aeonium hybrid ‘Kiwi’
Aeonium
Aeonium hybrid ‘Zwartkop’
Aeonium
Agave angustifolia ‘Marginata’
Century Plant
Agave ‘Blue Flame’
Century Plant
Agave var. medio picta 'Alba'
Century Plant
Agave geminiflora ‘Rasta Man’
Century Plant
Aloe hybrid GRASSY LASSIE
Aloe
Aloe ‘Pink Blush’
Aloe
Cotyledon ‘Happy Young Lady’
Cotyledon
Crassula muscosa pseudolycopodiodes
Princess Pine Crassula
Crassula ovata ‘The Hobbit’
Baby Jade
Crassula ovata ‘Variegata’
Variegated Jade
Escheveria ‘Metallica’
Escheveria
Escheveria ‘Silver Spoons’
Escheveria
Escheveria ‘The Rose’
Escheveria
Escheveria nodulosa x hybrida
Escheveria
Euphorbia tirucalli ‘Rosea’
Firesticks
Haworthia cooperi
Haworthia
Kalanachoe thrysiflora ‘Fantastic’
Variegated Paddle Plant
Kalanchoe luciae ‘Flapjacks’
Paddle Plant
Sedum mackinoi ‘Limelight’
Japanese Sedum
Sedum mackinoi ‘Ogon’
Golden Japanese Sedum
Sedum morganianum
Donkey Tail Sedum
Sedum nussbaumerianum
Coppertone Sedum
Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’
Angelina Sedum
Sedum spurium ‘Dragon’s Blood’
Dragon's Blood Sedum
Sempervivum
Hen and Chicks
Senecio jacobseni
Weeping Jade Plant
Senecio vitalis ‘Blue Chalk Fingers’
Blue Chalk Plant
Annuals:
Portulaca oleracea ‘Rio Scarlet’
Moss Rose
Portulaca oleracea ‘Rio Yellow’
Moss Rose
Rocks:
