Florida State University Grounds and Landscaping

Florida State University Grounds and Landscaping The Grounds and Landscaping department creates and maintains a beautiful landscape for FSU students, faculty, and visitors to enjoy.

Florida State University dedicated a memorial in honor of Lieutenant Commander Michael Scott Speicher, an FSU alumnus an...
08/28/2026

Florida State University dedicated a memorial in honor of Lieutenant Commander Michael Scott Speicher, an FSU alumnus and U.S. Navy hero. Speicher, a 1980 FSU graduate, became the United States’ first casualty of the Persian Gulf War when his fighter jet was shot down on Jan. 17, 1991. The Scott Speicher memorial, located at the entrance of the tennis facility named after him in 1993, features a bronze pilot’s helmet, flight jacket, and hat like what Speicher would have worn. “There’s a legacy here that we have to continue to promote,” “Inspiring all of those who take a moment to come by here to reflect on the contributions of our servicemen and women.” “He was an embodiment of the three values that we hold most dear at Florida State: strength, skill, and character.” -Former FSU President John Thrasher

No visit to the center of campus is complete without stopping by the Legacy Fountain in the middle of Landis Green situa...
08/27/2026

No visit to the center of campus is complete without stopping by the Legacy Fountain in the middle of Landis Green situated south of the Strozier Library and north of Landis Hall. It was dedicated on January 28, 2005, to celebrate the transition from the Florida State College for Women to Florida State University (co-ed). The 3 bronze figures of female students on the north side of the wall of water symbolize the years before 1947 and the 2 female and one male figure on the south side of the water wall represent today’s students. The sculptures are the handiwork of Edward Jonas.

The FSU Labyrinth is located south of West Call Street just east of the FSU College of Medicine and west of Psychology. ...
08/26/2026

The FSU Labyrinth is located south of West Call Street just east of the FSU College of Medicine and west of Psychology. Often confused with a maze, which is a puzzle to be solved, a labyrinth is a path to be followed. It is a winding path moving in turns toward a center point for reflection. The path is unicursal, meaning the ways in and out of the labyrinth are the same. Labyrinths have been used around the world for over 3,500 years. Walking the labyrinth provides an opportunity to reflect, think critically about a question or problem, connect with your physical self, reduce stress, experience gratitude, inspire creativity, or grieve. The Labyrinth changes with each season inviting all to come and walk it for a different experience

The Friendship Garden (also called Memorial Garden) is on the edge of Mina Jo Powell Green southeast of the Longmire Bui...
08/25/2026

The Friendship Garden (also called Memorial Garden) is on the edge of Mina Jo Powell Green southeast of the Longmire Building in front of the College of Music amphitheater. This is a quiet partially shaded site that provides a place to sit and listen to the water trickle from the fountain in honor of all of the students who have passed away while attending Florida State. This memorial was established thanks to Susan James who in 2000 convinced her peers to provide funding for this place of reflection and remembrance. Anton Sonkin, the Associate Director of FSU Grounds and Landscaping designed the Friendship Garden utilizing recycled curb and gutters for benches and recycled sidewalks for the side wall.

This week we will feature some areas of our campus that we enjoy visiting. Today we will briefly look at the Greek Park ...
08/24/2026

This week we will feature some areas of our campus that we enjoy visiting. Today we will briefly look at the Greek Park east of South Gate which is at the intersection of Gray and West Jefferson Streets. This area shaded by tall pines and majestic Live Oaks is dedicated to the university’s legacy sororities and fraternities. 1. The Alpha Delta Pi Meditation Pavilion-usually referred to as "The Gazebo” contains Gothic arches and beautifully designed stained-glass windows crafted and installed by artisans in FSU’s Master Craftsman Studio. 2. Standing in the center of the park is a 15-foot high, multiple-patina bronze statue named “Three Sisters.” This statue was a gift from the sisters of Chi Omega Sorority. 3. The rare Florida native Ashe Magnolia is in the garden. 4. The very rare Florida Torreya tree can be found here. 5. Our Florida native Oak-leaf Hydrangea grows here. 6. George Taber’ Azalea and others bring magic to our springtime. 7. The South Gate was constructed in 1933 as a gift from the Florida State College for Women’s classes of 1933 and 1935. 8. Heirloom Camellias here give us beautiful blooms in the winter and spring.

Our native Mound Lily Yucca (Yucca gloriosa) is blooming near Doak Campbell Stadium. We have all 3 of Florida's native Y...
08/24/2026

Our native Mound Lily Yucca (Yucca gloriosa) is blooming near Doak Campbell Stadium. We have all 3 of Florida's native Yuccas growing on campus ( Adam's Needle- Yucca filamentosa and Spanish Bayonet- Yucca aloifolia are the other two). Mound Lily Yucca differs from Adam’s Needle because it lacks the filaments on the leaf edges and grows taller. It differs from Spanish Bayonet as the leaves are much less rigid without sharp leaf margins. This plant is very drought tolerant and is happy in both sun and partial shade.

08/21/2026

Today David Mac Manus retires from his position as the Assistant Director of Grounds and Landscaping at Florida State University. He joined us back in 2005. He has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Horticulture from the University of Florida. We wish him well in his future endeavors.

‘Flordahome’ Pear (Pyrus communis x pyrifolia ’Flordahome’) is blooming now at Parking Garage #3. We were surprised to ...
08/21/2026

‘Flordahome’ Pear (Pyrus communis x pyrifolia ’Flordahome’) is blooming now at Parking Garage #3. We were surprised to see some late stray blooms on it! - it ripens in August here. This is one of the best quality pears that can be grown in our area. It has a low chilling requirement (hours below 45 degrees F) unlike popular varieties such as ‘Bartlett’ which needs at least 800 hours to produce fruit. Tallahassee gets only 500-700 chilling hours. ‘Flordahome’ needs only 150 chilling hours. It was developed by the University of Florida. It has a green color blushed with gold. ‘Flordahome’ has a sweet, refreshing flavor and a smooth, buttery texture. The fruit do not ripen properly on the tree. Fruit left on the tree soften irregularly and can become “gritty” in texture. The fruit should be harvested when they begin to turn yellowish in color Fruit can be stored at room temperature to fully ripen. Place fruit in a paper bag or newspaper to promote the release of ethylene gas and accelerate fruit ripening. Also, fruit may be stored before ripening in the refrigerator for one month. Although nurserymen claim that it needs a pollinator it is self-fertile.

This little shrub growing at Einstein Bros. Bagels -Brazilian Rock Rose (Pavonia braziliensis) bears small pale pink fl...
08/20/2026

This little shrub growing at Einstein Bros. Bagels -Brazilian Rock Rose (Pavonia braziliensis) bears small pale pink flowers with a dark red eye throughout the warm months. Brazilian Rock Rose grows roughly 5 feet high and wide. It is evergreen during milder winters-but can freeze back from hard freezes. It is a member of the Hibiscus family. The Brazilian Rock Rose is a reliable tough plant that can provide years of color.

Firebush (Hamelia patens) is a heat-tolerant shrub that we have planted at a number of sites on campus. Firebush is nati...
08/19/2026

Firebush (Hamelia patens) is a heat-tolerant shrub that we have planted at a number of sites on campus. Firebush is native to the Caribbean and south Florida but usually recovers from cold injury hare. This shrub is in the parking lot of Mendenhall A. Hummingbirds are attracted to the flowers- if you are lucky you may see them darting from bloom to bloom.

Address

Mendenhall Bldg B (MMB) 965 Learning Way
Tallahassee, FL
32306

Telephone

+18506442805

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