Flowering plants are followed by perennials – forgotten location in Arnhem has gradually developed into an exuberant urban garden.
Arnhem city council presented an ambitious vision for a radical greening of the city. Commissioned by the municipality, LOLA Landscape Architects studied the area of the South-East Canal of Arnhem, at the height of Eusebuisk Church and Stadskantoor, and made several proposals for greening this area and steps to achieve an overarching green structure.
One of the most striking proposals within this initiative is Super Blossom (Superbloei), a project that removes large sections of pavement and replaces them with lush green spaces to promote biodiversity. The area around the Prinsenhof has been designated as a key location for this transformation. To bring this vision to life, LOLA Landscape Architects collaborated with Arjan Boekel of Coöperatie Bloeimeesters, a specialist in biodiverse planting plans that support ecological growth and community engagement.
Originally conceived as a temporary garden to underscore the city’s commitment to greening, Superbloei quickly grew into something much larger. What began as a demonstration project to showcase the potential of urban greening organically evolved into a “growing garden.” In its first year, the site burst into a vibrant display of colorful flowers, immediately capturing the public’s attention and setting a precedent for how urban environments can be enriched with greenery. Over time, the project transformed into a permanent green space, carefully designed to integrate with and support the local ecology.
To ensure that the garden remains a dynamic and sustainable green space, LOLA and Arjan Boekel developed a carefully structured planting plan. This temporary yet evolving design facilitates a gradual transition from an initial burst of seasonal flowers to a more stable, biodiverse environment. In the initial phase, perennials are introduced to create a strong visual impact and attract pollinators and wildlife. In the following season, flowering annuals take center stage, contributing to the colorful spectacle. Over time, as the garden matures, the floral splendor gradually subsides, giving way to robust perennials that form a resilient and ecologically rich environment.
The planting got a second layer of bulbs, which bloom profusely during the Second World War commemorations held at the foot of the John Frost Bridge. A visual tribute to the city’s wartime past.
With this project, the city of Arnhem is positioning itself as a leader in sustainable urban development and demonstrating that innovative landscape architecture can successfully combine ecological restoration with urban planning. The transformation of the Prinsenhof area is a powerful example of how green initiatives can positively transform cities, creating healthier, more livable environments that benefit both people and nature.
Sustainabilty:
Superbloei is a significant urban greening project in Arnhem, Netherlands, initiated by the city council to enhance biodiversity and create a more sustainable environment. Due to its success the originally temporary garden evolved in a permanent green oasis in the Arnhem inner-city.
In order to create space for the garden pavement was removed to create space an attractive green garden to increase biodiversity around the Prinsenhof area, promoting a robust ecological structure.
Developed by LOLA Landscape Architects in collaboration with Arjan Boekel, the design includes a temporary planting scheme that evolves into a permanent garden, showcasing a colorful explosion of flowers in the first year.
The initiative reflects innovative ideas regarding greening, biodiversity, and climate adaptation, aiming to build a future-proof ecosystem that is resilient to climate changes.
This project exemplifies how public spaces can be transformed to support ecological goals and enhance the quality of life in urban areas.
