The history of Dutch horticulture is inextricably linked to the Van Bourgondien family, a name that has resonated through the fields of Hillegom, Netherlands, since the mid-19th century. In 1845, the family began a journey that would eventually bridge the gap between the traditional bulb markets of Europe and the burgeoning gardens of North America. This legacy is not built on mere longevity but on a relentless pursuit of botanical perfection and a deep-seated understanding of the soil. The K. Van Bourgondien catalog represents the culmination of generations of expertise, offering a direct pipeline from the fertile Dutch polders to the residential landscapes of modern enthusiasts. By maintaining their roots in the Netherlands while establishing a robust presence in the United States, the brand ensures that the genetic integrity of every bulb remains uncompromised, reflecting a heritage that respects the slow, deliberate pace of nature.
Navigating the world of wholesale gardening often presents a challenge for the individual enthusiast, yet this catalog serves as a vital resource that simplifies the procurement of professional-grade plant material. The value proposition offered by K. Van Bourgondien is centered on the principle of accessibility; they provide bulk quantities and high-quality stock at prices typically reserved for commercial landscapers. This approach allows for the creation of expansive, high-impact displays that might otherwise be cost-prohibitive. Every offering is backed by a commitment to quality that includes climate-controlled storage and strategic shipping schedules aligned with specific planting zones. The catalog serves as a guide for those looking to invest in their landscape with the confidence that comes from using stock that has been vetted by some of the most experienced eyes in the industry, ensuring that every planting season is met with success and vibrant color.
The Legacy of Dutch Horticultural Excellence
The story of K. Van Bourgondien begins in a landscape defined by its relationship with water and soil. The Netherlands has long been the global epicenter for bulb production, and the Van Bourgondien family was among the pioneers who saw the potential for these botanical treasures to travel across the Atlantic. Their early years were spent perfecting the art of bulb selection, focusing on traits like bulb size, disease resistance, and floral vigor. This historical perspective is essential for understanding the quality of the plants featured in their current catalog. When a gardener selects a variety from their collection, they are not just choosing a plant; they are engaging with a lineage of horticulturalists who have survived economic shifts and global changes by staying true to the quality of the Dutch bulb.
Today, the catalog continues this tradition by blending historical favorites with cutting-edge cultivars. The transition from a local Dutch grower to a primary supplier for American gardens involved a sophisticated logistical evolution. Bulbs are harvested at the peak of their dormancy, carefully cleaned, and then transported under strict temperature and humidity controls. This meticulous attention to detail ensures that the energy stored within the bulb remains potent until it reaches the customer’s soil. The family’s influence is seen in the way the catalog categorizes plants, prioritizing the success of the grower by providing detailed hardiness information and site-specific recommendations that reflect decades of trial and error in diverse climates.
Navigating the Spring-Flowering Collection
The arrival of the spring-flowering catalog is a significant event for those who plan their gardens months in advance. This collection is dominated by the classic icons of the Dutch landscape: Tulips, Daffodils, and Crocus. However, the depth of the inventory goes far beyond the standard varieties found in local garden centers. The catalog features an array of Tulipa species that range from the early-blooming Emperors to the late-season Parrots with their ruffled, multi-colored petals. For those looking to create a professional-looking border, the catalog emphasizes the importance of bloom timing, offering early, mid, and late-season selections that can provide a continuous carpet of color for up to ten weeks.
Tulips: From Classic Darwin Hybrids to Exotic Parrots
Tulips are the undisputed stars of the spring garden, and the K. Van Bourgondien selection is particularly noted for its diversity in form and function. Darwin Hybrid Tulips are often recommended for their immense flower heads and sturdy stems, making them ideal for areas prone to spring winds. These varieties are also known for their ability to return year after year, a trait highly valued by those seeking a long-term investment. In contrast, the Parrot and Lily-flowered varieties offer a more architectural and dramatic flair. The Parrot Tulips, with their fringed edges and twisted petals, look like something out of a Dutch Master’s painting, while the Lily-flowered types provide a sophisticated silhouette with their pointed, reflexed petals. The catalog provides clear guidance on which varieties are best for cutting, allowing gardeners to bring the beauty of the outdoors inside.
Daffodils and Narcissus for Naturalizing
For many, the sight of a field of yellow daffodils is the true herald of spring. The catalog excels in offering bulk quantities of Narcissus specifically selected for naturalizing—the process of planting bulbs that will multiply and spread over time. Trumpet Daffodils, with their large, bold cups, are the traditional choice, but the catalog also explores the charm of Small-Cupped and Jonquilla varieties. These smaller, often multi-flowered types are frequently more fragrant and better suited for woodland edges or rock gardens. Because Narcissus are unpalatable to deer and rodents, they are a practical choice for rural properties. The catalog highlights these characteristics, helping gardeners choose the right varieties for areas where wildlife pressure might otherwise be a concern.
Summer Blooms and the Allure of Dahlias
As the spring bulbs fade, the catalog transitions into the lush, vibrant world of summer-flowering plants. This section is anchored by an impressive selection of Dahlias, which have seen a massive resurgence in popularity. Dahlias are prized for their incredible range of sizes, from the tiny pompons to the massive dinnerplate varieties that can reach ten inches in diameter. The K. Van Bourgondien catalog offers these tubers in professional sizes, ensuring that the resulting plants have the energy to produce an abundance of blooms from mid-summer until the first frost of autumn. The diversity of the Dahlia collection allows for endless creativity in garden design, whether one is looking for bold primary colors or soft, pastel tones.
The Majesty of Dinnerplate Dahlias
The dinnerplate dahlia is the focal point of many summer gardens, and the catalog features some of the most sought-after cultivars in this category. Varieties like ‘Emory Paul’ or ‘Kelvin Floodlight’ are highlighted for their sheer scale and presence. These plants require a bit more attention in terms of staking and feeding, but the reward is a floral display that is unmatched in the botanical world. The catalog provides the necessary technical advice for growing these giants, including tips on pinching back the plants to encourage more stems and how to properly overwinter the tubers in colder climates. This level of detail is what sets the K. Van Bourgondien resource apart, as it empowers the gardener to tackle more challenging varieties with a high degree of confidence.
Lilies: Fragrance and Form
Lilies provide the vertical interest and intoxicating fragrance that many gardeners crave during the heat of July and August. The catalog breaks down the Lily family into manageable categories: Asiatic, Oriental, and the impressive OT (Oriental-Trumpet) Hybrids. Asiatic Lilies are known for their early bloom time and upward-facing flowers in bright, clear colors. Oriental Lilies, such as the famous ‘Star Gazer’, are beloved for their intense perfume and large, flat blooms. The OT Hybrids, often called ‘Tree Lilies’ because of their height, combine the best of both worlds—the fragrance of the Orientals and the vigor and stature of the Trumpets. By offering these bulbs in large sizes, K. Van Bourgondien ensures that the plants establish quickly and produce a significant floral show in their first year.
Hardy Perennials and Bare Root Stock
While bulbs are the cornerstone of the brand, the catalog also features a significant selection of hardy perennials, many of which are shipped as bare-root stock. Bare-root planting is a preferred method for many professional horticulturists because it allows for a larger root system to be established more quickly than container-grown plants. The perennial section includes garden staples like Peonies, Hostas, and Hemerocallis (Daylilies). The Peony collection is particularly noteworthy, featuring herbaceous varieties that have been staples of American gardens for a century, alongside modern Itoh hybrids that offer unique colors and stronger stems. These perennials are selected for their hardiness and ability to integrate into various garden styles, from formal borders to casual cottage gardens.
Hostas and shade-loving perennials are also given significant space in the catalog. For gardeners dealing with low-light conditions, the variety of leaf textures, colors, and sizes available can transform a dark corner into a lush retreat. From the giant, blue-leaved ‘Empress Wu’ to the delicate, variegated ‘June’, the Hosta selection demonstrates the brand’s commitment to providing options for every niche in the garden. Each perennial listing includes detailed information on sun requirements, mature height, and spacing, which is crucial for planning a cohesive landscape that will thrive for years to come. This data-driven approach helps eliminate the guesswork often associated with adding new plants to an established garden.
Wholesale Advantages for the Home Gardener
One of the most compelling reasons to utilize the K. Van Bourgondien catalog is the wholesale pricing structure. Traditionally, high-quality Dutch bulbs were sold in large quantities to estates and public parks. This catalog brings that same economy of scale to the residential gardener. By purchasing in larger quantities, the cost per bulb or per plant drops significantly, making it feasible to plant the hundreds of bulbs required for a truly spectacular spring display. This is especially beneficial for projects like naturalizing a hillside or creating a long, formal driveway border. The catalog makes it easy to see the savings, often providing tiered pricing that rewards those who plan for larger installations.
Furthermore, the quality of the stock is often superior to what is found in retail