Postcards from the Netherlands: A Week in the Land Where Flowers Rule the World

Last week, we traded our Montana fields for the glass-roofed greenhouses of the Netherlands — the very heart of the global flower industry. We joined the Farmer Bailey team and growers from across the country for a behind-the-scenes look at how innovation, tradition, and sheer passion come together to make Dutch floriculture bloom year-round.

A Colorful Beginning at Kolster BV

Our first full day began at Kolster BV in Boskoop — a breeder and producer of hydrangea, ilex, symphoricarpos, callicarpa, and peonies. Row after row of trial plants stretched before us, each representing years of patient breeding work. Seeing the process behind the plants we grow — from parent crosses to test plots — reminded us how much vision and time are invested in every bloom that reaches your table.

Afterward, we enjoyed a catered lunch on-site and then headed to the town of Gouda, famous for its cheese, charming canals, and golden brick streets. It was there we tried our very first stroopwafel, warm and sticky with caramel between thin waffles — an instant favorite. Dinner that evening was held in the basement of a refurbished light factory, now an event space called De Lichtfabriek.

HilverdaFlorist, Takii Seeds & A Night on the Water

The next day brought us to HilverdaFlorist, a global name known for their work with gerbera daisies, limonium, alstroemeria, and dianthus. The sheer vibrancy inside the greenhouses was breathtaking — entire rooms glowing in every color imaginable. From there we visited Takii Seeds, where we explored their seed-cleaning and tissue culture labs. It was a fascinating look at how innovation and science nurture the future of flowers.

That evening, we exchanged greenhouse aisles for canal views aboard a private dinner cruise through Amsterdam. The Salonboat Adeline glided quietly under arched bridges and beside twinkling windows, offering us a serene close to a day filled with color and inspiration.

The Royal FloraHolland Flower Auction

We started another morning at the Royal FloraHolland Flower Auction in Aalsmeer — the world’s largest floral marketplace. The building itself is massive, covering more than 247 acres, large enough to fit over 200 football fields. Watching the auction in motion was mesmerizing: thousands of carts of flowers moving through the space on conveyor lines while digital clocks displayed bids from buyers around the world. Over 20 million stems are traded through this facility, a staggering reminder of the scale and global reach of this industry.

 The International Trade Fairs

We explored the International Floriculture Trade Fair (IFTF) in Vijfhuizen and the Royal FloraHolland Trade Fair in Aalsmeer — two sprawling events that showcase the newest varieties, technology, and design trends in the flower world. Every booth offered something unique, from fragrant new garden roses to sustainable packaging innovations. Walking through the shows felt like peeking into the future of floriculture.

A Day in Leiden

Midweek, we spent time in Leiden, a picturesque town filled with canals, (SOO many) bicycles, and cozy cafés. We wandered cobblestone streets, browsed tiny shops, and tried a traditional Dutch pancake — thin, buttery, and topped with ham and cheese.

Hortus Botanicus Leiden

While in Leiden, we also visited Hortus Botanicus, the oldest botanical garden in Europe, established in 1590. Walking through its ancient glasshouses and curated plant collections felt like stepping back in time. We were surrounded by species collected from explorers centuries ago — the ancestors of many of the plants we know today. It was a quiet, grounding experience that reminded us how deeply our craft is rooted in history.

Lugt Lisianthus & Evanthia

Our final day was spent at Lugt Lisianthus, where perfection and precision meet beauty. The endless rows of lisianthus blooms glowed softly under the greenhouse lights — it was impossible not to be inspired. We then visited Evanthia, a breeder and young plant producer known for its celosia and other specialty crops. Seeing their celosia up close was a highlight — the colors, textures, and possibilities for future seasons sparked so many ideas for what we might bring home to Two Kays.

We returned to Montana with full hearts and inspired by what we saw and grateful for the chance to learn from some of the best in the world. The Dutch are masters of efficiency, beauty, and sustainability, and we can’t wait to weave those lessons into our own fields next season.

Until then, we’ll hold onto the memory of bicycles on bridges, stroopwafels in Gouda, and the steady hum of the flower auction — all reminders of the magic that happens when people devote their lives to growing beauty.