A Garden-Lou conversation with plant-geek, Jesse Gilbertson.

University City is a diverse area of St. Louis known for The Loop. However, the 35-year-old non-profit organization, U. City in Bloom program, puts the city on every plant geek’s radar with its overflowing plantings and artistically designed public spaces. The annual U. City in Bloom Garden Tour and Plein Air Event takes place this Sunday, September 26th. When most gardens are starting to look their worst, U. City gardens still shine.

Jesse Gilbertson is in his eighth year as the Director of Horticulture at U. City in Bloom with a goal of urban beautification and public outreach. The program is a successful model of how grassroots efforts can step up when city budgets get cut or only allow for minimum input. “With the help of two full-time Horticulturists and many volunteers, I manage nearly 70 garden spaces throughout University City.”

“In our public spaces, we have native garden beds, formal annual displays, streetside planters, pocket parks, and gardens around all the U. City public schools.”

Jesse carries a Bachelor’s in Plant Science from the University of Missouri – Columbia but feels his education is ongoing. “After graduation, I started my career with an internship at the Shaw Nature Reserve, where I discovered a whole new side of gardening as opposed to the traditional teachings at school. Not only did I get to share an old farmhouse with my boss Scott Woodbury but I also had the grounds all to myself after hours to explore the treasures of our natural Missouri woodlands, river bottoms, and glades.”

He started at Missouri Botanical Garden after the internship. “I learned about Henry Shaw’s vision for accessible green spaces for urban citizens. This created a huge shift in how I looked at my career and what I thought was important. Instead of the plants taking center stage I began to see more importance in the interactions between the visitors and the plants and the place as a whole. This new perspective took me to Forest Park Forever, where I helped with the renovation and rehabilitation of Forest Park. The more welcoming we made it, the more visitors came. The excitement and momentum of those years brought in much public input and support and ultimately led to one of the greats public park experiences in the country.”

“Our relationships run deep in the community, and we are vital to a beautiful and vibrant city that the residents are very proud of.”

A volunteer gave U. City Jesse’s name when a new director position opened. “At the time, I was not looking for a job, but when I saw the amount of gardens and level of work they were doing, I knew it was the right path. I dove into streamlining the management of the many gardens and green spaces, which lead to greater productivity and the ability to add gardens and upgrade existing spaces.” Quite a distance from the professional skateboarder he dreamed about becoming as a kid.

“When I was very young, our neighbor had a large vegetable garden, and my friends and I would hop the fence and explore it. Once he caught us and instead of scaring us away, he invited us to try some of the herbs and take some veggies home to our parents. The taste of dill still brings me back to those summer days running around with my friends. We had a row of crabapples at the time too and I will go out of my way to inhale a crabapple blossom to be pulled back to those innocent youthful days.”

Jesse takes his talents home and is the owner of, TreeStyle: Aesthetic Pruning and Design. “I love pruning trees. Not so much to control their growth but to accentuate their natural beauty. This is called aesthetic pruning and has its roots in Japanese garden-style tree pruning. But anybody who knows me will say bonsai. This living art form is multifaceted, and you can dive very deep into it as an art or its history or even as a business. I am the president of the Bonsai Society of Greater Saint Louis and practice this art in some form or another just about every day. I personally care for 80-90 high-quality trees.”

It’s no surprise Jesse was an art major in his first years at Mizzou. “My drawing professor noticed that I was only really engaged with architectural and landscape drawings and set up a meeting with Dr. Lee Snyder, who was teaching landscape design. I changed my major as soon as I saw that I could use art and design to engage people in the landscape.”

Jesse’s job is never finished. “It’s hard to stop and appreciate the work you do when you are responsible to keep so many gardens looking absolutely amazing. When you do find those moments to stop and smell the roses, the work is very rewarding.”

What’s the best part of what he does? “The people. Honestly, it’s the volunteers. There are a lot of great things about being outside surrounded by plants, but I have been fortunate in public horticulture to have worked with volunteers from the start of my career. Many of my volunteers are amongst my best friends. People who are willing to give their time are amazing.”

Check out the amazing green gardens of University City at the. The annual U. City in Bloom Garden Tour and Plein Air Event takes place this Sunday, September 26th.

Welcome to U City in Bloom

By Jo Batzer, photos curtesy of Jesse Gilbertson

The “Little Free Library” at the Gannondale garden.

QUICK FACTS;

Favorite gardening tool? “I am torn between two, either a good pair of steel hand shears for detail pruning or a graphic pen for designing the next project.”

Funniest plant-related question you’ve ever been asked? “I dated a girl in college who was top of her class but one day she asked me “what are those trees that make that continuous chattering sound?” I knew we were doomed.”

Favorite garden you’ve visited in person, near or far? “Longwood.” (Kennett Square, Pennsylvania)

If you could have lunch with any other plant geek, dead or living, who would it be? “Lynden B. Miller. She is the author of a book titled Parks, Plants, and People. This book had a huge impact on me when I started working with U. City in Bloom. She is a public garden designer and advocate and is well known for the restoration of the Central Park Conservatory Garden.”