A new trend is sweeping the University of Iowa campus, and it has nothing to do with fashion or music. Instead, think pine trees, spruces, arborvitae, and other conifers.

UI Landscape Services has planted several conifer gardens on campus in the past couple of years: one between Calvin Hall and Halsey Hall, one at the President’s Residence, one near the Dey House, and another along the walkway between Medical Laboratories and Eckstein Medical Research Building. And more are on the horizon, crew members say. The gardens are aesthetically appealing but also ecologically and economically sound, requiring little maintenance and providing habitat for wildlife.

Click on the thumbnail images below to take a look at the UI conifer gardens.

—photos by Tom Jorgensen