Cooperation with Alpha Nurseries

How I met Ton van Grimbergen from Alpha Nurseries

'In my early years at Florensis, I got to know Ton van Grimbergen. Ton produced a nice assortment of perennials in large pots in Leimuiden, including Papaver, Anemone and various first-year flowering perennials.

From the first moment I met Ton, there was a click. Even though the nursery was doing less well at the time, I always had confidence in him and nursery Alpha. Ton always knew how to think outside the box and gave me the opportunity and confidence to think along with him to make Kwekerij Alpha distinctive in the market. The sales of his plants were mainly through the auction, but this needed to change to ensure it didn't hold back long-term growth.'

Cooperation with Meko Hulsebosch

'Meko Hulsebosch made mixed plant arrangements, including on zinc bowls, and had a strong sales position with good contacts within Retail. Because Meko was dependent on expensive external purchasing, especially of 10.5 cm and 12 cm pots, and processing was very labour-intensive, the idea arose to plant the plant arrangements directly from our plug in a zinc bowl. For this, Meko Hulsebosch was looking for growers who wanted to make this for him on order.'

Partnership

'A partnership followed between Maarten Westerbos, Ton van Grimbergen and Meko Hulsebosch. Maarten and Ton did the production of the plants and Meko handled sales. Although this soon proved a successful formula, this collaboration lasted only 3 years and both growers went their separate ways.

During Meko's time, the foundations were laid for mix recipes as we know them today, such as Fun Fusions and Spring Break. We were really pioneering in those days. Putting together a beautiful mix from paper seems easy, but it also has to be technically correct.

My background as a florist, technical plant knowledge and Florensis' varied assortment helped me put  Alpha Nurseries on the map as a year-round supplier of mix combinations.'

Year-round mix combinations

'Three years ago, Glenn Grimbergen, Ton's son, joined the company and they moved to Mijdrecht, where they are currently successfully producing year-round mix combinations on 3.5 hectares of greenhouse and the old location in Leimuiden. Glenn is a born leader and through his leadership experience at a large tomato grower and commercial skills, he and his father have managed to put Alpha Nurseries on the map.'

Which Florensis mixes are involved??

- Springbreak (mix combinations of pansies, biennials and early-flowering perennials)

- Funfusions (mix combinations with annuals)

- Salvia Mysty and Friends

- Summer Mixes (Hardy colours with a selection of varieties that present well under warm conditions)

- Autumn Mixes (Consisting of perennial combinations and combinations with perennial bedding plants and/or pansies) 

How are the mix combinations determined?

'I developed 80% of the mixes custom-made for Alpha Nurseries. A number of factors are very important here. Colour combinations must be right, flowering time and plant properties are decisive for a well-balanced mix. This means that not every beautiful mix in a hanging pot is automatically suitable for a zinc bowl. The manner of planting also determines the final result.'

Why does it catch on?

'The year-round supply and the great diversity of beautiful mix combinations, with the selling price often lower than that of a bouquet of flowers, are reasons why it is successful. It is nice to give as a gift and/or to put on your own garden table.

Because Florensis launches new introductions every year, it enables me to test new combinations as well. This keeps the end customer stimulated and allows us to keep innovating!'

Come see our mixes in real-life at our FlowerTrials® Show in H.I.-Ambacht (NL) and register here!