Looking for a green story? You've come to the right place! This is a story about Conifers, craft, and collaboration.
Working with nature means every day is different. For Erik de Jonge, owner of Dutch grower Snijgroenkwekerij van der Elst, that’s exactly the charm. Since 2002, Erik has been running the company with his team, producing an impressive range of conifers and other greenery that find their way to florists across Europe—mainly through their close partner, Adomex.
A Holly and Conifer Grower With Roots in Symbolism
For Erik, growing greenery is more than a business. “A branch is not just a branch,” he says. “It carries stories and memories.” From holly symbolizing light in the darkest days of winter to conifer greens used for All Saints’ Day and Eternity Sunday (Totensonntag), the products from his fields connect deeply with traditions and emotions. That sense of meaning makes the work more than a job—it’s a way of life.
Alongside the nursery, Erik also manages De Vijvertuinen van Ada Hofman, one of the most beautiful gardens in the Netherlands. The seasonal rhythm of the gardens and the nursery balance each other, creating a lifestyle rooted in green.
From History to Mission
Since its early beginning way back in 1875, Snijgroenkwekerij van der Elst has grown into a 20-hectare company with a clear mission: producing sustainable and customer-focused greenery. With passion for plants and people, the team strives to meet customer needs while respecting the environment and creating equal opportunities at work.
Their specialty is conifers—Thuja, Chamaecyparis, Taxus, Juniperus, and Cryptomeria—along with holly, boxwood, and Leucothoe. In total, more than fifty varieties are grown. What sets them apart is not mass production of a few species, but a broad mix in different lengths and qualities. This flexibility means florists and wholesalers can find the right greenery, whether for delicate wreaths or bold arrangements, at exhibitions.
Seasons in the Field
Conifers are long-term crops. Some take years before enough branches are ready for harvest. That’s why experience and patience are key. Quality is safeguarded through careful fertilization, pruning, and plant health checks. The company follows MPS-A standards, using as few inputs as possible while maintaining strong growth.
But nature remains unpredictable. Drought, pests, or unexpected frost can make or break a season. Erik emphasizes that true craftsmanship still lies in the grower’s eye—observing plants, making timely choices, and valuing the hands-on work of cutting.
Each season brings its own rhythm and challenges. In summer, drought often demands hand irrigation across large areas. In autumn, harvesting begins, though heavy rain can make fields impassable. Winter brings cold and snow, but also special moments, like robins following the team through the fields. And in spring, young plants risk damage from late frost, even as roe deer give birth in the shelter of the holly rows.
This seasonal cycle defines life in the nursery—hard work, but also rich in connection to nature.
Green With a Future
Conifers are a sustainable choice in many ways. They can be harvested year after year without replanting, some blocks even dating back to the 1940s. They require relatively little fertilizer and crop protection, and they stay green year-round, absorbing CO₂ continuously.
For florists, conifers offer long-lasting greenery that works not only in winter decorations but also in bouquets throughout the year. In that sense, they embody both tradition and modern sustainability.
Working Together With Adomex
Since 2009, Snijgroenkwekerij van der Elst has partnered with Adomex. The cooperation is straightforward: Erik and his team grow, cut, and prepare the greenery, while Adomex handles logistics, sales, and marketing to their broad international network.
Erik explains:
“It’s a partnership based on trust. We can focus on quality, knowing Adomex will get our product to florists, wholesalers, and retailers. We’re not about who grows the tallest tree—it’s about forming a strong forest together.”
Adomex expects reliability, consistent quality, and punctual deliveries, especially in peak times like All Saints’ Day and Christmas. That means precise planning, strict quality control, and plenty of flexibility from the grower’s side. In return, Adomex provides the reach and stability to keep the nursery thriving.
Meeting Market Needs
The demand for conifer greens peaks in the fall and winter holidays, but florists increasingly look for unique shapes, colors, and lengths throughout the year. Trends like sustainability and product origin are becoming more important. By offering variety, flexibility, and a strong story, Snijgroenkwekerij van der Elst stays aligned with these market shifts.
Through Adomex, their greens reach customers across Europe. For Erik, that means more than selling a product: “We’re delivering stories. Our greenery carries tradition, craftsmanship, and a link to the natural world.”
Snijgroenkwekerij van der Elst shows that growing conifers is not just about supply and demand. It’s about patience, long-term vision, and staying rooted in tradition while moving toward a sustainable future. With Adomex as a trusted partner, their greens continue to connect people across borders—whether in wreaths, bouquets, or seasonal decorations.
Photos courtesy of Erik de Jonge from Snijgroenkwekerij van der Elst, unless otherwise noted.
