After forty years of active involvement in Dracaena cultivation, Dracaena nursery De Plaats has announced that it will end its operations at the end of 2026. Both the greenhouses and the company residence have been sold, marking the beginning of a new chapter for owners Ruud and Agnes Scheffers. Dragontree "De Plaats" will be officially dissolved at the end of 2026.
© Dracaenakwekerij 'De Plaats'Agnes and Ruud Scheffers
Why stop?
Agnes Scheffers explains that age, personal wishes, and the demanding nature of the horticultural profession all played a role in the decision. "We're not old, but we're not very young either. Being a grower is such an all-encompassing profession, with laws and regulations that aren't getting any easier, and a lot of responsibility. We also want to do other things in our lives now. Stopping at your peak feels right: the company is doing well, and there are several reasons why this is the right moment. We want to continue working for another year to wind things down properly and serve our customers well. After that, we'll make room for new challenges outside the sector."
End of 2026
The supply of Dracaena cuttings will end at the close of 2026. All customers worldwide have been personally informed. Sales of finished products will continue until the end of 2026. The greenhouses have been acquired by neighboring growers Joram and Jelle Kuijvenhoven of JK Plant, who will continue their own cultivation there.
Enriching
Looking back on the profession, Agnes Scheffers says: "It's a wonderful line of work. We developed our own varieties and were in contact with customers and licensees worldwide. That contact with different cultures and ways of working has been very enriching. The best memories come from within the sector—how we collectively raised the standard of ornamental horticulture and learned from one another, sometimes without even realizing it. We will certainly miss that."
Ruud adds: "We have always lived and worked on the farm 24/7. It's intense, but it also brought many advantages. Now we will watch from the sidelines—we don't yet know what that will feel like. Sitting still is new to us."
Variety availability
Although De Plaats is closing, Ruud and Agnes expect their Dracaena varieties to remain available to the market. Several licensees in Costa Rica have been supplying cuttings for non-European markets for years and will soon also have the opportunity to supply within Europe. This suggests that the continuity of the varieties is secured. Dragontree Beheer, which holds all variety rights, will remain fully active. The varieties will continue to be protected under plant breeders' rights within the EU and beyond.
Acknowledgements
Ruud and Agnes Scheffers thank all the partners and associates with whom they have worked over the past four decades: "It has been an honor to build our business together with you."
For more information:
Dracaenakwekerij De Plaats
Plaats 9, 2675 CK
Honselersdijk, the Netherlands
[email protected]
www.dragontree.nl
