Education and experience: Frieden has a bachelor's degree in psychology from Iowa State University and an associate's degree in horticulture from Iowa Lakes Community College. He worked for 25 years in gardening centers, greenhouses, landscaping and golf course turf management before joining MU's Landscape Services in December 2002.

Campus territory: Frieden's crew is responsible for what are known as the hospital and farm campuses. The hospital campus includes the area between University Hospital and College Avenue to the east, excluding residence halls; Rollins Street to the north, Maryland Avenue to the west and Stadium Boulevard to the south. The farm campus includes all campus property east of College Avenue, excluding residence halls.

Frieden's crew includes three full-time groundskeepers and one student. He also has four master gardeners - Tammy Bush, Kay Conklin, Joan Bourbeau and Barb Ashton - who volunteer with the upkeep of the Butterfly Garden.

Favorite part of his job: “I've learned a lot from the people I work with. Dick (Munson, former director of MU's Botanic Garden) is extremely knowledgeable in all aspects of horticulture; Charles (Paxton, assistant superintendent, Landscape Services) is an excellent landscape designer; and Herman (Klippel, lead groundskeeper on Frieden's crew) have been a great help in acclimating me to MU.”

Favorite spot on campus: “I like the butterfly garden. If the butterflies are happy, I'm happy.”

Favorite plant: “It doesn't seem fair to ask a horticulturalist to choose one favorite plant. Today, I'll say the butterfly bush.”

Favorite flower: Lilacs

Favorite tree: “I grew up in Iowa, and we don't have dogwoods there. So I'd have to say I've really enjoyed them in Missouri.”

Best gardening tip: “Pinch your plants back frequently to keep them bushy.”

For more profiles, visit the main Gardener Profiles page.