"We are receiving new and more pre-orders for bulb blends. Percentage wise, it is the fastest growing group within our assortment of products," says Joris Philippo, Head of De Vroomen Holland Office which is part of De Vroomen Garden Products. The company supplies Dutch bulbs and other horticulture products to landscapers, garden centers and professional growers in the United States and Canada. In this article, Philippo draws attention to the growing popularity of bulb blends compared to single varieties, and the way in which De Vroomen Garden Products is responding to this trend.
De Vroomen's Tulip Warm Welcome Blend
Extended bloom
Philippo shares that blends have been gaining popularity over the last 5 years, especially so in the landscape market saying: "We have been supplying this market for 100 years and always have been able to supply blends, however, in the past few years their popularity increased rapidly. 80% of our fall sales consist of tulips, daffodils and blends. Blends, specifically, increased by more than 25% in recent times."
He adds that landscapers are not the only ones that are interested in bulb blends, as they are also appreciated by consumers within the garden center market. He thinks that the interest in blends is related to their extended bloom as the De Vroomen team sees that especially extended bloom mixes are high in demand. "Bulb blends offer a beautiful combination of varieties that go well together. Moreover, you can extend the bloom across many months, combining early-, mid-, and late-blooming varieties and unique combinations."
The Daffodil All Spring Mix, which according to De Vroomen contains 15 different daffodils for 12 weeks of flowering. "This is an ideal mix for plantings where a long bloom time is preferred."
Expanding the assortment
To meet this demand, De Vroomen is adding blends to their assortment of products. Although the company has always offered bulb blends, they started incorporating them into their catalog about 10 years ago, increasing the quantity of blends every year, Philippo tells. De Vroomen also allows landscapers to request products for their customers, based on blooming time, color, and varieties.
"Tulip Royal Oxford Blend's contrasting colors of yellow, bright red and deep purple are reminiscent of a sunny day in the English countryside," according to the De Vroomen team.
In the last five years the bulb supplier expanded their range to include the Daffodil All Spring Mix, Tulip Warm Spring Day Blend, Tulip Royal Oxford Blend, Tulip River Road Blend, and the Tulip Warm Welcome Blend. Philippo comments: "These varieties fit on all popularity trend specifics. They have multiple colors that create a contrasting view and extended bloom time."
Philippo concludes by highlighting that more new blends will follow. "Based on customer feedback, we are looking to incorporate multiple colors per blend, add unique varieties, combine varieties, and be creative on the spot by making custom mixes within our warehouses."
The Tulip River Road Blend
For more information:
Joris Philippo, Head of De Vroomen Holland Office
De Vroomen Garden Products
+1 847 395 9911
www.devroomen.com