Conifers as far as the eye can see. In all kinds of shapes and shades, and especially in various sizes. In Scandinavia and around twenty other countries, Kwekerij De Bloemenkampen is renowned for its wide assortment, numerous pot sizes, and shaped trees. From Nunspeet, the growers will bring some of their selections to trade fair GrootGroenPlus.

source: Heidi Peters

Shortly after the company was founded in 1991, Arnold van den Berg decided to focus on a very wide assortment of conifers and a smaller share of shrubs. Boomkwekerij De Bloemenkampen is now known for its wide range and large-sized conifers and bonsai-shaped trees. The majority of the products are exported to Scandinavia and other countries both within and outside Europe, reaching a total of about 25 countries.

"Not many tree nurseries in the Netherlands do what we do"

De Bloemenkampen primarily targets the retail and landscaping industries. The tree nursery spans 12 hectares, with 1 hectare still unused. Over 6 hectares are designated as container fields. Including the areas filled with large pots, around 8 hectares are used for stock. Boomkwekerij De Bloemenkampen aims for high quality, excellent service, and reliable delivery. The company’s website states that they don’t strive to be the largest, but rather the best. It’s clear that their wide assortment, which includes unique varieties and exclusive sizes, contributes to their strong reputation. "Not many tree nurseries in the Netherlands do what we do," explains Herco van den Berg. ‘There is some overlap here and there, but for anyone looking for a conifer, we can provide everything. And it works.’

From P23 up to 1000 litres

The assortment at De Bloemenkampen is not only diverse but also extensive. The plants are available from P23/C5; some trees are supplied in containers as large as 1,000 litres or in large corten steel containers. "We try to accommodate whatever the customer requests," says Van den Berg. "And we almost always succeed. We set ourselves apart by offering not only many types of plants but also a wide range of pot sizes. We also have bonsai-shaped trees ranging from 5 to 40 years old in various types and sizes. In the Netherlands, there isn’t much demand for this; the value of these trees isn’t recognised. That’s why the Dutch market isn’t our primary focus."

De Bloemenkampen, next generation

Step by step, 29-year-old Herco is taking over from his father. He grew up at the tree nursery, gained experience at another company in the tree nursery industry after his studies, and has been active in the family business for about eight years now. Starting this year, he will gradually take on more responsibilities, and in the future, he will take over the business. Van den Berg senior, however, is only 54 years old and will remain active in the company for the coming years. Both of them prefer to work outdoors.

GrootGroenPlus

De Bloemenkampen is a loyal participant in GrootGroenPlus. As in previous years, the company has a prime corner stand along the grey route. The three open sides of the stand give the growers the opportunity to showcase a substantial part of their assortment. Van den Berg: "We are bringing a few mixed trolleys with a portion of the assortment we primarily supply to retail. We are also bringing large shaped trees to demonstrate that we offer everything from small to large."

The bonsai-shaped trees are in high demand abroad.

"Bonsai-shaped trees and large solitary trees sell very well. We sometimes say that the rich get richer and the poor get poorer, and you can sometimes see that reflected in the orders. Those large, expensive trees sell, while the smaller conifers for retail may lag behind a bit," says Van den Berg. "But when one door closes, another opens. For instance, our exports to Russia stopped, yet we still achieved the expected growth percentage, but through Scandinavia. The stock, however, became misaligned, so you can never really predict. But those large trees always sell fast."

Order online

The stock of conifers and shrubs is available on the Floriday platform, and customers can place orders through De Bloemenkampen’s website. Van den Berg: "In the Netherlands, we can deliver anywhere. Orders placed at the auction before 08:30 AM are in Aalsmeer by 3:00 PM. Orders placed before 4:30 PM are delivered the same night. We also deliver a lot directly from the tree nursery for both domestic and international trade. Orders can also be placed via phone and email, and the site features an online shop. But we also like it when customers visit occasionally; then they can see the product and where it comes from. We often hear that everything looks so tidy, and that’s nice. It’s a bit of an obsession of ours," Van den Berg laughs. So please visit both generations of De Bloemenkampen during trade fair GrootGroenPlus. And by the way, they are looking for a cultivation manager, over there in Nunspeet.