Flowering variety on the lock island: News from the perennial beds!

Flowering variety on the lock island: News from the perennial beds!

The lock island in Mülheim an der Ruhr blooms in full splendor. Since March 2025, the perennial beds have been decorated with a colorful variety of wild tulips, gold stars and grape hyacinths. The current highlight of this floral design are the white bush winds, which are harmoniously accompanied by pink pawls and purple widow flowers. A total of 2,700 perennials and 7,500 flower bulbs have been planted since May 2024 to revitalize the discounts along the large meadow area. This botanical project pursues the goal of creating an attractive and insect -friendly flowering base until the International Garden Exhibition (IGA) in 2027. The Mülheim an der Ruhr reports on seasonally staggered plantings that have repeatedly presented new blowing aspects over time.

A crucial part of this planting concept are the robust perennials that not only bring color to the landscape, but also contribute to the suppression of unwanted plants. However, the measures for planting had to be reduced due to budget cuts. A decision by District Representation 1 in August 2023 paved the way for the replanting of the discounts. A mixture of domestic species is created to promote biodiversity.

sustainable planting and care

An important element of this planting is the use of a mulch ceiling that should suppress the weed during the growth phase of the new plantings. The plants are maintained in a defined rhythm: after the Mahd in January, the planting cycle begins again. In the week from May 19, 2025, work to resort the impressive flower clock on the lock island is also to begin. Hundreds of small plants will form the dial for the large hands of the flower clock and set a new highlight in the landscape with their colors.

The international perspective of the IGA 2027 is another important aspect of the development of the region. The idea for the IGA was born between 2011 and 2013, as the first informal discussions with stakeholders and the regional director Karola Geiß-Netthöfel took place. Thereupon a feasibility study was commissioned in October 2013 to evaluate the concept for the IGA Metropolis Ruhr 2027. The iga 2027 provides for a decentralized, three-stage structure that was designed in 2014 to 2015 by the Sinai office in Berlin.

an emerging project

The IGA 2027 is supported by a broad alliance of political actors. The state government's cabinet decision to promote the project in 2018 marked an important step in realization. In all the municipalities involved in the Ruhr area, consensus decisions were made that secure the backing for the IGA. In 2019, the IGA Metropole Ruhr 2027 gGmbH was founded, which is the last step in the formal establishment of the project. The committed Nina Frense took over the management.

The IGA 2027 should not only improve the landscape quality of the metropolitan region, it also offers the opportunity to create new perspectives for visitors through a variety of themed gardens and to put the region in the right light. The plants on the lock island are not only a nice sight, they also actively contribute to promoting biodiversity and quality of life in the city.