Every spring, the University of Leeds bursts into colour with thousands of blooming bulbs – a much-loved signal that the season has arrived. Behind the vibrant display, however, is a budding story of community involvement, digital innovation, and thoughtful planning, brought to life through a creative partnership with Dutch bulb expert JUB Holland.
Known for their long-standing expertise in ornamental bulb cultivation and sustainable landscaping, JUB Holland has developed a powerful digital tool that is helping transform public planting projects across Europe. The JUB Flower Designer App allows teams to virtually plan and preview how a space will look in full bloom, using real photographs of the location. From parks and verges to university campuses, it is a smart, visual approach that combines precision planting — including for mechanical planting schemes — with greater community engagement.
One of the most striking examples of this approach in the United Kingdom is at the University of Leeds, where the Grounds & Gardens team has worked hand in hand with JUB Holland to plant thousands of flower bulbs annually. In 2024, the university took the next step—inviting students and staff to vote on their favourite bulb mix for prominent sites on the Western Campus. Using the Flower Designer App, the community could see how each mix would look in its intended setting, helping them cast an informed vote based not just on names or colours, but a clear visual impression of the end result.
“It’s about giving people a voice in how their shared space looks and feels,” says Sean Craven, External Spaces Manager at the University of Leeds. “The campus is for everyone, and with the Flower Designer App, we’ve been able to offer a real sense of ownership. Staff and students could see the mixes, imagine the space in spring, and help shape it together. That’s a big shift from how things are usually done.”
Job van Eeden, Sales Manager UK at JUB Holland, explains: “At JUB, we’ve always been about more than just bulbs—we’re about creating lasting, meaningful landscapes. The Flower Designer App helps us bring that vision to life in a very real way. Whether we are working with a council, a university, or a park manager, the app allows them to ‘see’ the spring before a single bulb goes in the ground. That is incredibly powerful—and it makes decision-making easier, faster, and more inclusive. This tool is especially useful for mechanical planting projects, where precise planning and timing are key.”
