Goodbye winter, hello Indian spring – jaw-dropping crocus display celebrates Leicester’s diverse heritage

A mesmerising crocus display masterminded by a BBC Gardeners’ World presenter has bloomed in Leicester to celebrate the city’s rich cultural heritage.

Nick Bailey, who is also Director of the University of Leicester’s Botanic Garden, led a small army of 60 volunteers on an ambitious autumnal mission to plant 40,000 crocus bulbs in the shape of a paisley motif.

The three-day planting operation has now paid off, with a spectacular spring bloom roughly the size of two tennis courts on show at the Garden, in Oadby.

The paisley pattern was chosen by Nick due to its connections with India, and Leicester’s with the subcontinent – around a third of the city’s population is of Indian ethnic heritage.

Nick said: “The paisley motif originated from ancient Mesopotamia but was popularised, evolved and shared globally from India – travelling to South East Asia and Europe where it again evolved. In choosing this pattern we aimed to represent and celebrate the diversity of Leicester and its many communities.”

The gold, mauve, violet and white display has also heralded the end of the long and very wet winter.

Nick added: “Of course, crocuses are very much the harbingers of spring. And what better way to start a new season than with such a glorious display of colour?”

The entire project was funded by the Friends of the Garden.

Nick said: “I am incredibly grateful to the Friends, and of course, our volunteers who showed great stamina and enthusiasm to complete the planting – without them this wonderful project wouldn’t have been possible.”