Experience/Education: Attended State Fair Community College in Sedalia and MU.

Ousley's interest in horticulture started when he took a class at Rock Bridge High School, where he helped build the original greenhouse. He worked in private landscaping before joining MU's Landscape Services in April 1998 as a temporary groundskeeper, eventually working full-time. He applied for and became a landscape gardener in June 2001. Ousley enjoys guest lecturing on lawn equipment for Horticulture classes at MU.

His crew includes three full-time and one temporary groundskeeper, one student worker and one volunteer (Larry Noxon, a master gardener).

Campus territory: Ousley's crew maintains the White Campus, which includes the area north of Arts & Science Building to Hitt Street Parking Garage; east to College Avenue; south to Rollins Street and west to Kuhlman Court. “Our newest acquisition is the area around the Life Sciences Center. We're trying to keep the grass and trees alive this summer.”

Favorite part of your job: “Taking care of the plants, of course.”

Favorite spot on campus: “I would have to say the Woodland Floral Garden, which was started by Ron Taven when he was a professor here. He used it for plant and disease identification with his students. It's tucked between the Ag building and Anheuser-Busch. It's quiet and peaceful there. There's even a real whale bone in the garden.”

Favorite plant: Hydrangea paniculata 'Tardiva.' “It's one of the only plants that begin blooming in mid-summer. There's a nice display of them underneath the Physics Building sign facing College Avenue.”

Favorite flower: Casablanca Oriental lily

Favorite tree: “The large post oak in my front yard.”

Best gardening tip: “When the forsythia is blooming (late March/early April), it's time to put pre-emergence on your lawn to control crabgrass.”

For more profiles, visit the main Gardener Profiles page.