Experience/Education: B.S. Agriculture-Landscape Design from MU

David ran and operated a landscape and nursery business near Lebanon, Mo., for 30 years before moving to Columbia. He worked for Reagan's and E.C. Piotter nurseries locally before joining MU's Landscape Services in October 2000.

Campus territory: David's crew of four full-time and three temporary employees is responsible for all landscape construction on campus. David works closely with the landscape designer and landscape architect to initially install and plant all landscapes before turning the project over to another gardener's crew.

Favorite part of your job: “It's nice to complete a project and know that it's a job well done.”

Favorite spot on campus: “Francis Quadrangle has a lot of interesting perennial gardens I enjoy.”

Favorite plant: “The hardy banana. I have one in my yard. They die back to the ground at the end of the growing season and then come back up each spring. Mine is about 20 feet tall right now. The hardy banana is the largest perennial herbaceous plant in the world.”

Favorite flower: “That's a hard one. I guess the azalea.”

Favorite trees: “The southern magnolia. I like magnolias in general.”

Best gardening tip: “Grow what you like! My yard is a mini botanical garden because I try a little bit of everything.”

For more profiles, visit the main Gardener Profiles page.