Meet the grower

With a Magical you buy a long-lasting experience

Magical hydrangeas on a stem, for indoor and outdoor use: these are grown at Plantenkwekerij P. van Geest in Maasland. It is the only Magical grower in the Netherlands that grows these plants, and sustainably too. Meet Leendert van Muijlwijk, sales manager at the plant nursery.

‘Plantenkwekerij P. van Geest is well known for growing young vegetable plants: peppers and tomatoes. These are our specialism, and we continue to grow them. Our cultivation methods are organic and sustainable,’ says Leendert. ‘In the past, these were grown in a short period time, and we then had metres of growing space available for the rest of the year. We used this space to grow bedding plants and green plants.'

From peppers to hydrangeas

'We started growing hydrangeas on a large scale around 2008 and this has grown enormously in ten years. Over the years we slowly moved towards more exclusive varieties. When we got the opportunity to grow Magicals on a stem, we grabbed it with both hands. And we started growing the Magical Flowertree indoor hydrangea, in blue and pink.

For indoor and outdoor use

They soon got a taste for more. Leendert: 'We have expanded our range and also started growing Magical outdoor hydrangeas. In our nursery you will find the Flowertree, Revolution, Evolution, Opal, Amethyst and Jewel in two colours and different sizes. What is so special about the Magical according to Leendert? ‘The plant has a long shelf life and flowering time, and of course it changes colour. I always say that you buy a long-lasting experience. It really is a high-quality plant.'

Sustainably grown

Sustainability is a top priority at Plantenkwekerij P. van Geest. Leendert explains: 'We maintain high sustainable standards, including our own geothermal heat project and heat recovery. We also use water purification and recirculation methods. We use these for both vegetables and floriculture. Of course, we also use organic pest control against mites and spider mites, and we work in a bee-friendly way. We take a healthy approach so our children can still work in horticulture in 15- or 20-years’ time.'

Own favourite

But what is Leendert's favourite Magical? He doesn't have to think about it for long. 'I like the Flowertree indoor hydrangea the best because that's what we started with. In the garden, my favourite is the Jewel, which has also won a prize. Fortunately, I'm not the only one who thinks so: we supply our Magicals to Germany, the United Kingdom and the Scandinavian countries. There are Magical fans everywhere.'