De Vroomen celebrates 100-year anniversary in 2025
De Vroomen Garden Products will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2025. Jacobus Theodorus De Vroomen, born into a family of bulb growers, founded the company in 1925. What began as a small, family-owned horticultural business in the Netherlands has grown into a global leader in the import of flower bulbs, perennials, annuals and seeds, now offering thousands of varieties to customers worldwide.
De Vroomen celebrated numerous milestones over the past century, beginning with the involvement of the founder’s three sons — Hugo, Ben and Dick De Vroomen — in 1949. Their support helped the company expand and establish itself as a prominent name in the bulb industry. This growth was further catalyzed by De Vroomen’s international expansion in 1961 with the establishment of subsidiaries in the U.S. and Canada.
The company has continued to evolve and innovate, achieving many additional significant milestones, such as De Vroomen’s shipment of its first bare-root perennial order in temperature-controlled containers in 1980, followed by the company’s 1986 move to a 10,000-square-foot warehouse in Russell, Illinois, which allowed for improved operations and expanded capabilities. In 2014, De Vroomen acquired the Simple Pleasures independent garden center line, effectively doubling its retail reach in Canada.
Further growth for De Vroomen came from its 2016 move to an 80,000-square-foot, temperature-controlled facility in Gurnee, Illinois, as well as the addition of another 80,000 square feet of temperature-controlled warehouse space in Florence, Kentucky.
“We are incredibly proud of the past 100 years and our global team’s achieved success, though we remain deeply focused on both the present and future,” said Joris Philippo, head of De Vroomen Garden Products’ Dutch office. “De Vroomen’s mission is to continue providing the highest quality, true-to-name products, on-time delivery, and the largest selections on the market, all while adapting to the evolving needs of the industry and its next generation of horticulturists.”
The centennial celebrations for De Vroomen also will include the release of two products: the Centennial Tulip Blend Marcy and Centennial Peony. Centennial Tulip Blend Marcy features vibrant lily-flowering and double tulips. Centennial Peony, known for its exceptionally large, pure white, double-petaled and fragrant blooms, is a tribute to De Vroomen’s leadership in top-quality perennials.
De Vroomen’s 100th year also ushers in the future of gardening with the launch of the Sesame Street Collection, a collaboration with Sesame Street designed to inspire young gardeners and their families. This one-of-a-kind collection features gardening kits, seeds, tools and activities centered around beloved characters like Big Bird, Elmo and Cookie Monster.
The company will also host a series of global events celebrating its contributions to the horticulture industry, including participating in the Flower Parade in the Noordwijk, Netherlands, April 12. In North America, Niagara Falls will be lit in De Vroomen’s signature purple and yellow colors. A customer appreciation event in Gurnee, Illinois, is also being arranged to provide U.S.-based representatives and customers an opportunity to join the celebrations.
Photos courtesy of De Vroomen.
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