Growing Connections: Inside Our Dutch Flower Adventure
Last weekend, the Institute of Flowers was honoured to be invited by Floral Fundamentals to visit Holland, where we met their incredible floral ambassadors and the dedicated growers who bring our beautiful blooms to life. What an eye-opening experience it was—one that reinforced why connections in our industry are so vital!
The Heart of Floral Fundamentals
For those who haven't yet discovered this wonderful organisation, Floral Fundamentals is truly a game-changer for our industry. They're dedicated to sharing practical information about flowers and new sundry products, while creating direct connections between florists and growers through their newsletter and digital magazine.
The organisation was born from a critical need in our industry. A group of like-minded professionals recognised that the floral industry needed help to communicate effectively and break down barriers. With enviormental issues causing major challenges for both florists and growers, Floral Fundamentals offers a radical approach—a platform where growers and suppliers can speak directly with florists, and where florists can ask questions and learn more about the products we love working with.
Meeting the Growers: A Privileged Glimpse Behind the Scenes
During our trip, we had the incredible opportunity to visit several amazing grower partners: BAC Orchids, Haas Hellebore, Porta Nova, and our gracious hosts for the weekend, Lugt Lisianthus.
What struck me most was the passion and dedication these growers have for their flowers. These aren't just businesses—they're families who have dedicated their lives to growing the very best flowers for us florists. And despite their scale (some harvesting an astonishing 30,000 stems daily!), each maintains the personal touch and quality that we value so highly.
Green Innovations That Impressed Us
One thing that became abundantly clear during our visits was the tremendous investment these growers have made in environmental sustainability:
Porta Nova runs entirely on green energy
Lugt has invested millions in an LED light system that helps grow even stronger lisianthus
All the growers have sophisticated water management systems—harvesting, recycling, cleaning, and reusing water so nothing is wasted
The Challenges Our Growers Face
It wasn't all blooming marvellous news, though. Our growers shared some of the challenges they're currently facing, particularly around environmental regulations that sometimes seem at odds with practical sustainability.
For example, Lugt Lisianthus will soon no longer be able to purchase CO2—a waste product that their flowers actually need to grow! Instead, new regulations will require this CO2 to be pumped underground for storage. It's puzzling when you think about it: flowers need CO2, our planet needs less of it in the atmosphere, yet policy dictates it must be stored underground rather than used productively.
The Warmth of the Floral Fundamentals Family
Beyond the technical aspects of growing, what made this trip truly special was the people. Alison Bradley, the wonderful "mamma of all florists" as she's affectionately known, leads Floral Fundamentals with such passion. She calls her ambassadors her "children"—and believe me, you don't mess with her children! Her protective and nurturing approach creates a genuine family feeling within the organisation.
(If you're an IOF member, you can watch our exclusive interview with Alison in our community area!)
The warmth extended throughout the weekend as we watched talented designers create breathtaking pieces that showcase floristry at its finest. The camaraderie, shared knowledge, and mutual respect between growers and florists was truly inspiring.
Why Join Our Network?
Experiences like this trip to Holland are just one of the many benefits of being part of the Institute of Flowers network. Through our connections with organisations like Floral Fundamentals, we gain direct access to growers, exclusive knowledge, and a community of like-minded professionals who share our passion for floristry.
In the coming weeks, we'll be sharing lots more from this trip, including:
Interviews with growers and designers
Demonstrations of amazing floristry techniques
Insights into sustainable growing practices
Don't miss out on being part of this vibrant community! Join the Institute of Flowers today, and connect with a world of floral knowledge, inspiration, and opportunities.
