As the new season springs to life and the greenhouse at Skimmia Nursery Bolwijn in the Netherlands gradually turns a vibrant red, it’s all hands on deck for this exclusive horticultural venture. A moment has come to delve behind the scenes of this family-run nursery, where Chris and his wife Mariëlle Bolwijn exclusively market their distinctive skimmia varieties.
Rooted in History
The roots of Skimmia Kwekerij Bolwijn date back to the late 1950s when Chris’s father initiated a plant nursery in Putten, the Netherlands. Initially, cultivation took place in open ground, but the transition to using 7 cm pots was a pivotal step. By 1982, the nursery expanded to a more extensive 6-hectare facility. In 2010, the company relocated to its present location in IJsselmuiden, the Netherlands.
The Art of Breeding
Chris Bolwijn’s journey within the nursery began in the early 1990s when he inherited skimmia as a gift from his father. Crossing and breeding became his passion, and after completing his horticultural education in Boskoop, he dedicated himself to skimmia cultivation. In those early days, the nursery offered a diverse assortment, experienced high turnover, but struggled with low income. Recognizing the need for change, Chris saw potential in specializing exclusively in skimmia.
Years of Dedication
Over the past 33 years, Skimmia Kwekerij Bolwijn has gained recognition for its exclusive skimmia varieties, the result of meticulous in-house breeding efforts. Recent additions to the range include skimmias on the stem – a commercial rarity. These have been made possible through the development of a proprietary rootstock suitable for grafting. Presently, the nursery offers four such varieties, marketed under the name “Golden Series.”
A Unique Niche
While the market for skimmias may not be vast, it’s certainly not devoid of competitors. However, the majority of growers predominantly focus on the standard skimmia, known as Japonica Rubella, which is considered the parent of all skimmias. Only a select few have ventured into the realm of crossing and breeding, and as far as the market knows, no one offers a comparable range of exclusive skimmia varieties. Skimmia Kwekerij Bolwijn boasts approximately 25 unique varieties, four of which can be grafted onto stems. Two of these varieties feature florets, while the other two bear berries.
Cultivating the Extraordinary
It’s evident that this unique horticultural niche is not for the faint of heart. Skimmia cultivation is a time-intensive process that demands horticultural expertise. Growing a uniform batch of plants remains a significant challenge. The cultivation process spans several years, with plants being staked in the summer, followed by a year for young plant growth, another year for flowering, and yet another year for berry production. In some cases, it may even take four years to cultivate larger plants. Achieving berry production necessitates precise pollination techniques, requiring specialized expertise.
A Labor of Love
Every aspect of plant growth and maintenance is handled in-house, with the exception of additional assistance during the potting process. Four years ago, Jan Marijnis joined from Royal FloraHolland Sales Management to oversee sales. Surprisingly, robust marketing efforts are not deemed essential, as the exclusivity of the product allows it to virtually sell itself. The primary challenge is to maintain an adequate inventory to prevent complete sellouts. Diversifying the customer base is also essential to avoid dependency on just a handful of clients. The goal is to see Skimmia Bolwijn products gracing the shelves of garden centers and exclusive florists across Europe.
The Season Unfolds
The marketing season is now underway and will persist until approximately Christmas. During this period, approximately one-third of the crops are harvested from the greenhouse, while the rest is nurtured for future flowering or berry production, or for grafting onto stems. The nursery holds high hopes of expanding its product range in the near future.