In 1946, with a passion for the land, Henk van Holstein started a vegetable farm. Over time, his sons joined the business, and in 1974, they decided to introduce flowers. What began as a hobby – breeding their own gerberas – soon blossomed into the company’s core focus. Initially, they only cultivated large-flowered varieties, but their ambition soon extended to supplying growers worldwide. The rest, as they say, is history.
From those humble beginnings and just a few gerbera varieties, Holstein Flowers has flourished through innovation in genetics and propagation. They’re not just growers, they’re breeders too, with over 85% of their stunning gerberas stemming from their own breeding programmes. Meticulous testing ensures only the best varieties – boasting superior vase life, colour, firmness, and shape – make it into their collection.
Today, Holstein boasts an impressive selection of over 140 gerbera varieties, offering a dazzling array of sizes, colours, and shapes. There are Gerbera Big for those who love the classic statement, Germini for a touch of delicate charm, Gerponi Big and Mini for a unique double bloom, dramatic Gerspider and Gerspider Mini with their spidery petals, the intriguing noodle-like GerPasta, and the ever-surprising Gerspecial varieties. For those who simply can’t choose, there’s a delightful selection of mixed collections available. You can even download a brochure showcasing their entire range (in Dutch).
Holstein Flowers has grown from its roots to encompass a sprawling 11 hectares across two locations. Remarkably, it remains a family-run business, with five members overseeing various aspects – from sales and sustainable growing practices to breeding and marketing. Their vision for the future is as vibrant as their flowers: to continue delivering exceptional quality, introduce exciting new varieties, and inspire florists around the world.
Sustainability has always been at the heart of Holstein’s philosophy, long before it became a major industry focus. They’re pioneers in eco-friendly practices, implementing a range of impressive initiatives:
- Biological Pest Control: Recognising that harmful insects share their love for gerberas, Holstein prioritizes natural solutions. They meticulously monitor their crops and, whenever possible, combat pests with natural enemies. This meticulous approach requires a dedicated specialist who oversees their integrated crop protection programme.
- Water Reuse: Holstein’s gerberas are pampered with water and fertilisers several times a day, but the plants don’t use everything that’s offered. This “drain water” is collected, disinfected with UV radiation, and then reintroduced to the plants in a closed-loop system. This not only conserves water but also minimises the environmental impact of fertiliser runoff.
- Solar Power: Harnessing the power of the sun, Holstein has installed nearly 1,800 solar panels across their locations. On a bright day, these panels generate enough energy to power a Tesla for a staggering 16,000 kilometres! For more information on their solar power journey, check out the fascinating video on their website.
- Geothermal Heating: Holstein Flowers is a proud participant in the Trias Westland geothermal project, a regional initiative bringing sustainable geothermal energy to greenhouses. This allows them to heat their greenhouses efficiently and minimise their environmental footprint. Learn more about geothermal heating at Trias Westland through the informative video on the Holstein website.
- Sustainable Lighting: Holstein illuminates their gerberas with energy-efficient LED lighting. This not only reduces heat generation but also minimises the need for ventilation during darker months, further optimising energy use.
- Waste Management: A commitment to responsible waste management is another key pillar of Holstein’s sustainability strategy. They meticulously separate waste streams, from green waste and paper to plastics and residual waste. They’ve even replaced all plastic cups and stirrers with recyclable and FSC-certified alternatives, ensuring environmentally responsible disposal throughout the company, from greenhouse to canteen.
The company’s beautiful logo reflects their dedication to the environment. It features the planet Earth cradled in caring hands, alongside seeds, gerberas, birds, DNA strands, and so much more. If you find it as inspiring as we do, you can download it as wallpaper for your computer or mobile device via their website.
