Trilliums, Oregon grape and ferns surround the University Pioneer statue. They are beautiful plants, which is necessary for one of the most publicized places on campus. But they are also native to Oregon and drought-resistant, which is why groundskeeper Hilde Kleinhans put them there.
Drought-resistant plants don’t require irrigation during the summer, and Kleinhans has been making an effort to incorporate them in her landscaping. Summer irrigation will be reduced about 10 percent this year to meet sustainability goals within the Exterior Maintenance department.
She doesn’t want to see her flowers die off, she said. Native flowers and shrubs are adapted to the Oregon summers and don’t usually need any extra water.

Kleinhans is one of nine groundskeepers at the University. They work year-round to maintain lawns, flowers, trees, litter, and other outdoor maintenance tasks.
“Everybody has a little area,” Kleinhans said. “Their own little kingdom.” Hers extends from University Street to Kincaid Street, from Friendly Hall to past Lillis Business Complex.
She’s never been told how large her area is, but has the sense that its a pretty large one, and still growing. The recent addition of the Robinson Theater made it even bigger.
Students agree with Kleinhans’ sustainability goals. “I think it’s cool they want to minimize the use of water,” senior Chiedza Chikawa said.
Senior Bjorn Brown agreed, adding that water saved by less irrigation can be used for other purposes, such as drinking water.
The groundskeepers have a lot of autonomy when it comes to making decisions about their areas. However, they must stay within budget constraints when ordering bulbs and shrubs to plant.
Roger Kerrigan, the exterior team supervisor, said the budget amount varies greatly from year to year and comes mainly from the University’s general fund.
The University has not announced any cuts to exterior maintenance yet, he said, but the department is trying to structure itself so there is no visible evidence of the cuts that could happen eventually.
Brown thought perhaps cuts should be made, because landscaping is very expensive, he said, noting that keeping a lawn green in the summer takes a lot of water and money.
“It’s too much money just for an attraction,” he said.
Kleinhans said she tries to make her area ever more visually appealing, especially by filling empty flower beds and areas under trees.
“I hate the sterile look,” she said.
But for her, gardening entails more than making areas look pretty. It requires being smart about what you plant and thinking about each plant.
Daffodils, for example, are a better choice than crocuses because squirrels eat the latter and don’t eat daffodils. In addition, daffodils naturalize, meaning they can eventually reproduce on their own and don’t have to be replaced every year.
Naturalizing plants not only save money, Kleinhans said, but reduces weeds. When the flowers spread out, they reduce the area where weeds can grow.
Defeating weeds is a major goal for Kleinhans, but she doesn’t use pesticides to do it. Some of her colleagues do, she said, and it’s all legal and regulated, but she worries about the effects of the chemicals on people outdoors.
“I’d like to see the campus become pesticide-free,” she said, but doubts it will happen.
Brown hopes it happens as well. “They need to take more of a naturalistic approach to things,” he said.
Water, squirrels and bugs are all factors the groundskeepers must deal with, but so are students.
“Between 6 and 8 (a.m.) is my precious time,” she said. That is when campus is empty and she can mow and water the grass without disturbing anyone sitting on it.
The students, faculty and administrators generally appreciate the landscaping, she said, and are generally respectful of the plants.
Chikawa particularly enjoys them during the spring when the weather is nice. “When you’re stressed out with school and stuff, it’s really appreciated,” she said.
Kleinhans has taken care of the University landscape for 20 years, she said, and wouldn’t want a different job.
“I just like growing things,” she said.
[email protected]