A green future starts with a green product, which is why Hoogeveen Plants has more than a million hellebores in peat-free potting soil. "Not only is this important for the English market," says Colin Kok, account manager at the nursery, "we think this is an important item for the entire European market. Peat-free potting soil reduces CO2 emissions and prevents excavation of sensitive natural areas."
Colin de Kok among the Hellebores
The plant grower from Hazerswoude-Dorp also chooses not only to be peat-free but also wants the raw materials to be 100% renewable. "Renewable combined with sustainable cultivation, i.e., using organic crop care and bio-simulants, ensures that this beautiful winter item has the lowest possible environmental impact."
When choosing the renewable substrate, not only was plant quality considered in the nursery, but the shelf life of the plants was also considered. "Thanks to the use of bio-simulants during the warm period and the moderate summer temperatures, this year the quality proved to be extra high, and the plants are even heavier than previous years."
Hoogeveen Plants specializes in growing a wide range of garden plants, which are grown at no fewer than 14 different locations (together accounting for over 50 hectares of production). Since the beginning of this year, Bas Hoogeveen, son of director and founder Siem Hoogeveen, has started as operations coordinator, and steps have been taken to further streamline the delivery process.
"Especially in view of the hellebores, for which the season is about to start, this is of great importance. Due to the many grades and diversity in growth and flowering stages of the hellebore, it is very important that this is done correctly. By means of extra checks and having a responsible link between the departments, we will ultimately be able to deliver better quality."
The hellebore season is short but fierce, and especially so at Hoogeveen, which markets many thousands of them. Although these are grown at different locations and in different pot sizes, since last year, they have only been shipped from two locations, as opposed to the five locations from before. And to a large extent, therefore, peat-free. "The quality is excellent, the bio-simulants have done their job, and care has been taken to keep the crop growing in the warmer periods, for example. In addition, the summer was not too hot, and root formation is extra good this year, so we are very confident about the upcoming delivery period."
For more information:
Hoogeveen Plants 
Denemarkenlaan 14
2391 PZ, Hazerswoude
Tel.: +31 172 235 790
[email protected]
www.hoogeveenplants.nl