Biology Students, Faculty Plant Pollinator Oasis on Campus

As the sun sets on the Rockhurst University campus’ tulips for the spring, some new plants are getting a chance to shine.

On Friday, members of the biology faculty and students planted an assortment of pollinator plants in a small plot north of the Ignatius Science Center.  

Around a central redbud tree are now rows of coneflower, butterfly flower and coreopsis, among others.

Along with a separate tree planting on the north side of the campus, the pollinator garden was a way to honor Arbor Day and Earth Day, said Chad Scholes, Ph.D., professor of biology, and was coordinated through the University’s sustainability committee and with help from the grounds crew.

Scholes said the plants will bloom and flower with lots of colors, though they will look different from the annuals planted elsewhere on campus. As perennials, they will bloom year after year — a sustainable form of landscaping attracting that will attract and sustain wildlife, too.

“The idea was to set up a resource for the biology department,” he said. “It preserves biodiversity and helps support birds, insects and plants.”

Self-professed houseplant enthusiast and biochemistry sophomore Zoe Clark said she was happy to come out to help with the planting, and not just as a social activity.

“I love the idea of being able to have local plants nearby,” she said. “I’ve always thought that bees and other pollinators are really important so it’s cool that we play an active part in not letting those populations decline.”

But don’t underestimate the importance of the social aspect, either — after a year of virtual events, Zoom and hybrid classes, Scholes and others said it was nice to get their hands dirty together.

“It’s a great way to end the semester,” he said. “Especially this year, where some of us haven’t been able to see or even meet each other.”