Sixty thousand bulbs were planted this week as part of the River project, a new meandering route being developed across campus that celebrates our 60th anniversary through plants.
Along a 200 meter stretch of the Eliot footpath a variety of perennial bulb species have been planted in a 2m wide swathe; a mix specially selected for pollinator friendliness and colour! Developed in collaboration with JUB Holland and made bespoke to the University for its 60th year, it includes daffodils, tulips, alliums, colchicum and crocus, a selection that will see flowers bloom every year from February well into Autumn. The bulbs were planted by JUB Holland who brought their special bulb planting machine on site, planting the 60k bulbs in just 3 ½ hrs.
Eliot footpath is the main walking route into the University, so this location was selected as part of the River route as a space that hundreds of people walk through every day. The southern slopes are already a great space to enjoy a mixture of ancient woodland, grassland meadows, orchards and ornamental trees. The bulb river will add colour and, more importantly, a menu of food for pollinators in the area.
The River project will continue to develop throughout the year as part of the University’s 60th anniversary celebrations.