At Hoogeweg in Rijnsburg is the studio of the modern Dutch masters. Here, living works of art are created in the form of beautiful lilies. Greenflor takes you for a look inside the impressive greenhouses of Dutch Lily Masters.
A warm welcome
‘Of course you can take a look around,’ Wim-Jan Paauw welcomes us with a smile. Upon entering the greenhouses, it is as if you are travelling to the future. A state-of-the-art, fully automatic transport system moves the lilies through the greenhouse. The flowers receive just the right amount of heat, light and water. ‘Everything for the very best quality,’ Wim-Jan explains.
Heritage in bloom
Dutch Lily Masters grew out of a collaboration between lily growers Paauw, Imanse and Dutch. These family businesses each have a rich history going back generations. With lily growing deeply rooted in their DNA, the new masters Klaas Wagenaar, Wim-Jan Paauw and André Imanse join forces for a future full of new masterpieces.
A sea of lily beauty
From a ladder in the heart of the greenhouse, we look out over an endless sea of lilies. Although there are countless varieties of lilies, Dutch Lily Masters’ greenhouses grow 10 unique main varieties that are available year-round, including Santander, Marlon and Frontera. ‘The latter variety is available exclusively from us,’ says Mr. K.
The greenhouses are not hot, with a temperature of around 16 degrees Celsius. ‘That’s perfect for lilies,’ he says. Between October and March, they need extra light, which is provided by solar panels on the roofs.
Innovation flourishes in the greenhouse
The new masters, like their predecessors, strive for perfection. ‘We are experimenting with new varieties,’ he says. He picks up a handful of bulbs. Nearby, young heads protrude from the earth. Thanks to a collaboration with Lilies of Life, with 90 years of experience, fragrant lilies such as Valencia, Sunderland and Brindisi have been added to our collection. Smiling, he adds, ‘Because not everyone enjoys the scent of lilies as much as we do.’
Lily: exclusive collection
In addition to their regular range, the masters also grow a number of exclusive varieties, such as Yellow Cocette, Twinlife Red and Tribal Dance. ‘White lilies remain the favourite.’ They are not only comforting at funerals, but are also the stars at weddings.
The eye of the expert
After cutting, the lilies end up on a long belt, where they are inspected by the eye of the master. They are then tied together into bunches. Ready to enchant art lovers worldwide.
