A few weeks ago, students saw trucks filled with colorful spring flowers ripped from the ground. Some might see this as a waste, but Dirk White, director of special projects at Otterbein, sees this as a necessity.
“Mother Nature decides when to change the flowers,” White said. “It gets to a point where the flowers are going to die, and they have to be replaced. (Otterbein) likes to keep ahead of it because no one wants to walk out and see dead flowers.”
This rotation happens about three times a year. It starts in the spring with pansies. In June, they switch to petunias and begonias. Lastly in August, they plant mums and again pansies. The main reason for all of this switching out is because different flowers like different temperatures so, as White said, they were going to die so it’s better to replant them before it shows.
Rebecca Vazquez-Skillings, vice president of business affairs said in an email interview that the cost of three cycles — spring, summer and fall — of flowers is approximately $6,600 and the cost can vary due to market demands and the amount that is ordered. White said this is necessary in order to maintain the quality condition.
“When I’m walking to class, I like it. It makes my day better” said Caylin Barnes, freshman equine business and art major.
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