At nursery Van Schie in Nieuw Vennep, everything is about sustainable cultivation. Grower Ton van Schie is committed to environmentally friendly cultivation, with a roof full of solar panels, a heat pump and an electric car for transport to the auction. The pampas plumes, some as tall as two meters, sway gracefully in the wind as we visit his nursery. 

Sustainable pampas plumes at flower wholesaler 

Sustainability is central to everything Ton undertakes. He represents farmers from the Western Netherlands in the Regional Energy Strategy. Together with agricultural entrepreneurs and policy makers, he works on the future of our sector. They focus mainly on sustainable energy generation and its impact on the environment. 

His own nursery is also an excellent example of sustainability. Ton has deliberately chosen pampas plums, a crop that is hardly susceptible to pests and requires almost no pesticides. His philosophy is simple: nature must do its job. Forcing seasons with artificial means does not produce better quality. Therefore, he offers a high-quality flower supply that is grown naturally and sustainably. 

Customized colored pampas plumes in bulk 

Ton’s background in agriculture began with his father, who was a dairy farmer. Growing pampas began by chance about 30 years ago, when a plant grew in the manure pile. Ton has since developed a passion for growing and perfecting pampas plumes. Today he sells both fresh and dried cortaderias, natural or dyed. After years of research, he found a biologically sound dye to dye the pampas in the most beautiful trending colors. 

With annual sales of some 500,000 cortaderia stalks, the harvest peak is in September and October. About 50% of the fresh, dyed pampas end up at flower wholesaler Greenflor. From there, they spread through cash and carry, or online flower wholesalers to florists, garden centers and wholesalers worldwide. Thus exclusive flowers, such as the beautiful pampas plumes, find their way to customers worldwide.