Dutch Floriculture - a History of Excellence

Gala guest speaker, Remco van Vliet, hails from Holland, where growing ornamental plants and flowers is a major force in Dutch agriculture. About 75 percent of the flowers, largely tulips and other bulbs, are exported every year — roughly 9 billion flowers in all. Grown in open fields and greenhouses, the flowers are sold as fresh cut blooms to the florist industry and as bulbs to be planted in gardens throughout the world. The Netherlands now contain more than half of all of the greenhouses in Europe, and 3,000 growers have more than 44,000 acres under flower cultivation.

While many of us are familiar with that Dutch staple, the tulip, tulips actually rank third, after roses and chrysanthemums, as the Netherlands’ leading cut flower export. The Dutch market also includes dahlias, gerberas, freesia and calla lilies.

The Dutch are responsible for creating the cut flower wholesale market as we know it, a holdover from the “Tulipmania” that saturated Holland in the early 1600s. But the Netherlands is by no means done making flower history. The Flower Council of Holland’s website reveals news releases about recently added Dutch treats such as Zantedeschia (Calla lily) ‘Avance,’ with extended vase life, and freesia ‘Red Beauty,’ a striking red freesia with impressive fragrance and long, strong stems highly valued by the florist industry. Also, newly available are amaryllis as cut flowers. New color varieties of gerbera daisies keep up with fashion, matching the popular hues of bridesmaids’ dresses.

Flower enthusiasts are sure to encounter a new variety or two during our Garden Gala and design workshop October 20. All the flowers for both events are being shipped directly from Holland and will represent the best of today’s floriculture favorites from a country steeped in a history of horticultural excellence. 

For more details on the Garden Gala and design workshop, please go to the "Garden Events" page.

Plant Profile - Freesia

Freesia, a genus containing about 14 species in addition to the most widely known F. refracta, is a member of the iris family and one of the most fragrant of the summer “bulbs”. Grown from a corm, which is similar to a bulb, freesia are frost tender, and in our growing area should be treated as annuals or grown in containers like narcissus or amaryllis. If planted outdoors for spring bloom, they may go dormant and bloom a second time in the fall before frost. The exceptional fragrance and long vase life make freesia a favorite among those who love fragrant flowers.

Native to mountainous areas of South Africa, freesias became popular in the 1950s and are enjoying renewed popularity today, as available cut flower varieties are much improved over previous choices. Freesias are generally available in yellow, white, lavender, and red. Freesia may also be grown from seed but have a much slower growing cycle when propagated in this way.

Remember Local Garden Centers

Fall is the perfect time for planting.  Many perennials, trees, and shrubs use the cooler fall weather to develop strong root systems and as a result perform all the better next spring and summer!  When it's time for your fall planting, remember to shop at local garden centers that offer 10% plant material discounts to CBG members: Lee Bayard; Best Nursery; and Seasonal Concepts in Columbus.  Rocky Branch and Garden Delights in Pine Mountain also offer CBG member discounts.  Local vendors often carry niche and hard to find items that are not available at chain stores.

Columbus Camellia Club

The first meeting of the Columbus Camellia Club was a huge success!  If you are interested in joining, please contact Virginia Ely at 706.327.8400 or e-mail her at yourcbginfo@yahoo.com.