Together with the buyers of flower wholesaler Greenflor, we meet grower Theo Dobbe on a chilly Thursday morning in April. With arms full of freshly picked exclusive-tulips, the energetic 82-year-old grower speaks to us in the middle of his tulip farm in Vogelenzang, North Holland (NL). Although it is still early in tulip season, we feast our eyes on his tulip farm.

Exclusive-tulip varieties

Dobbe Nursery is a collaboration with Theo’s son Patrick. As many as 100 of the world’s most exclusive-tulip varieties are grown on one hectare. From Mount Tacoma to Daladier, Pretty Lady, White King and more. That yields half a million stems a year. “We grow many old tulip varieties that are no longer available anywhere else,” Theo said. Long tulips, short tulips, double and frilly. With his 60+ years of experience in ornamental horticulture, he effortlessly explains the many different types of tulips and their specific characteristics.

The strongest exclusive-tulips

“Every tulip has its own manual. Some you have to pick early, others just when they are more mature,” tulip grower Theo tells us. Fortunately, the four permanent temporary workers from Poland ̶ who have been coming to help at the nursery every high season ̶ know exactly what to do.

Theo’s top selection

Each year, the father-son duo reevaluates the tulip varieties grown that season. “In the hatchery they can do well, but on land it sometimes turns out differently,” says grower Theo. Only the strongest tulip varieties go into next year. Trends in ornamental cultivation are also considered when selecting new bulbs. “You have to go with the demand of the flower store,” says the insightful 82-year-old.

His personal favorite? The Estella Rijnveld, an ornately flamed parakeet. “Really an incredibly pretty little thing!”

As a flower wholesaler, Greenflor imports exclusive tulips from all over Europe, but Dutch tulips have a special place in our flower assortment. Check out the selection online!