From grass surfaces to seasonal experiences with bulb mixtures at De Wissel Cemetery in Dronten

How do you give disused burial plots a meaningful function without compromising the tranquility and dignity of a cemetery? 

At De Wissel Cemetery in Dronten, this question was a key concern. The Municipality of Dronten sought to improve mowing regimes and management, plus add more colour to the park-like environment and offer visitors an additional experience. In collaboration with Lubbe Lisse, a pick-your-own garden concept was developed in which bulb mixtures and herbaceous mixtures reinforce one another: a design that makes the seasons visible, stimulates biodiversity and allows visitors to pick flowers themselves to place by the graves.

De Wissel is a green, park-like cemetery with mature trees, a central bell tower and its own funeral centre. Within this landscaped setting, understated grass areas have been transformed into colourful fields that evolve throughout the year. The result is not a stand-alone addition, but a planting concept that aligns with the function of the site: carefully considered, restrained, and of clear added value for both visitors and site management.

▶ Watch the project in action 

From grass surfaces to seasonal experiences with bulb mixtures

The disused burial plots have been planted with a combination of bulb mixtures and herbaceous mixtures. This creates a layered visual effect that provides early-season colour and continues to develop over time with flowering herbaceous species. The former grass areas thereby gain a new function: they remain part of the calm public space, while visibly enhancing a seasonal experience, variation, and a more natural appearance.

In a cemetery context, this balance is particularly important. Colour is welcome, but must not dominate the environment. The planting therefore compliments the park-like character of De Wissel and creates a softer transition between the functional layout of the cemetery and the personal, emotional value visitors attach to the place.

Flower picking as part of remembrance

A key element of the concept is that visitors are allowed to pick flowers to place at a grave. This gives the planting not only a visual function, but also a personal meaning. Visitors can compose a small bouquet on site and use it during remembrance of a loved one.

This simple act gives the ‘pick-your-own’ garden its value. The flowers are not only intended to be seen, but also invite interaction with the environment. In this way, the cemetery becomes not merely a place where greenery is maintained, but also a place where planting contributes to remembrance, attention and connection.

Balancing maintenance, tranquility and appearance in a public green space

For municipalities and managers, a planting concept is only truly effective when appearance and maintenance are in balance. At De Wissel, a design was therefore chosen that adds more colour and biodiversity, while remaining compatible with public space management. By using bulb mixtures and herbaceous mixtures, a more natural appearance is created that relies less on intensive mowing and changes visibly throughout the season.

At the same time, the function of the cemetery remained the guiding principle. The planting had to provide a calm subtle effect and lend itself to the cemetery. The result is a well-maintained, colourful interpretation that contributes to the site’s appearance while leaving space for silence, reflection and daily visitors.

Collaboration and implementation in a public space

The installation took place in October 2025, commissioned by the Municipality of Dronten. Lubbe Lisse was responsible for execution and carefully coordinated the works alongside the cemetery’s manager and planner. As De Wissel is in daily use and funerals always take precedence, the execution of this project required careful planning and a working method sensitive to the character of the site.

In total, approximately 230 m² was mechanically planted with bulbs. In addition, approximately 350 m² was sown with a herbaceous mixture. This combination creates a planting scheme that supports multiple objectives simultaneously: early-season flowering, later seasonal development, and ongoing value for biodiversity and visitor experience.
 

The ‘pick-your-own’ garden enhances biodiversity in the cemetery

A broad species composition was deliberately selected for the mixture used. Some species are well suited for picking and directly support visitor use. Other species, such as crocuses and alliums, are less suitable for picking but fulfil an important ecological role. They contribute to biodiversity and provide food for insects at different stages throughout the season.

This demonstrates that a ‘pick-your-own’ garden in a cemetery can be more than a colourful addition. The design supports the picking concept, strengthens the ecological value of the site, and enhances the public space for both people and nature. It is precisely this combination that makes the concept relevant for municipalities seeking more meaningful and forward-looking approaches to green spaces.

What does this cemetery demonstrate

De Wissel Cemetery illustrates what bulb mixtures and herbaceous mixtures can achieve in places where tranquillity, management and experience come together. By re-evaluating a functional grass surface, space is created for a design that does more than add colour. The ‘pick-your-own’ garden makes the seasons more visible, offers visitors a personal interaction, and simultaneously strengthens the site’s biodiversity.

For the Municipality of Dronten, this results in a public space that better aligns with how the site is used and experienced. For visitors, it creates an environment that invites them to pause, pick flowers and give remembrance in a tangible form. In this way, greenery becomes not only part of the visual landscape, but also part of the meaning of the cemetery.

Would you also like to add meaning to a green space in the public realm?

Would you like to enhance a public space with bulb mixtures, herbaceous mixtures or a planting concept tailored to your site and ambitions?

Lubbe Lisse would be pleased to advise you about a design in which colour, biodiversity, experience and maintenance come together.