OSU rolls out Cowboy boot topiary for commencement
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
The unique topiary is more than seven feet tall and is a combination of six unique plants that create the textures and designs of a boot and spur. The boot is even branded with the famous orange ‘O’. The orange color was achieved by using bronze colored Hens and Chicks.
“The purpose of the topiary is to create excitement about changes in the campus landscape program and to showcase the talent of our grounds and landscape staff,” said Steve Dobbs, OSU’s grounds and landscape manager.
William Hilson, landscape technology specialist, designed and planned the logistics of the boot. He generated the frame size and specs; welded, sandblasted, coated and painted the frame and installed the drip irrigation, soil and sphagnum moss. Groundskeepers Kim Ward and Deanna Shatswell planted the plants within the structure.
“The hardest part of the project was figuring out where to start,” said Shatswell. Ward said she enjoyed her role of planting the plants into the base wire and was proud to be a part of the team. Ward said, “I am very excited to see how people react to it. We hope people will respect it as a living, growing art piece.”
The plan took about six months to complete, and Hilson said he was pleased with the final product. “It has character and details I had only hoped to be able to accomplish,” he said.
“I hope this is something that will show up in lots of group and graduation photos, as well as become an icon-like item that strikes the remembrances of campus life and the positive influence and impact the university has had in each of their lives,” Hilson said.
Dobbs said, “Ultimately our goal is to provide a safe landscape for students, faculty, staff and visitors to enjoy. There is not a better way to refresh, learn and do some creative thinking than by taking a casual stroll across campus or enjoying a quiet moment on a park bench surrounded by the beauty of the campus landscape.”
Pictures of the project available at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ostatenews/sets/72157626648473322/.