April 2, 1999

Shrub sculptor brings campus landscaping to life

Groundskeeper George Sommerdorf trims "Serpent Going Under a Whale," a topiary creation he began three years ago on the border between parking lot 10 and the Center for Child and Family Studies.

"We've gotten nothing but rave reviews. People love it," reports his boss, Grounds Manager Sal Genito. "We don't do a lot on topiary of campus because it's labor-intensive, but we thought this would be an appropriate place for it."

Sommerdorf, who has been gardening for 19 years--six on campus--says he likes the location because it is near the child center. He gave the drought-tolerant compact-myrtle bushes wings and spikes so that people, especially youngsters, will see landscaping as "not just a green blob."

"Topiary gives people happier thoughts," Sommerdorf says. "Certain places on Earth should have a better look. I'm thinking of putting a sea snail in front of the whale because we need a little piece for the smaller people."