Northern Ireland flowers go Dutch

David Davidson, Ornamentals Development Adviser, Greenmount Campus, CAFRE

Alan and Ashleigh Mitchell, of Flamelily Flowers, near Katesbridge, County Down have recently reversed the trend and become the first flower producers in Northern Ireland to market their produce at the Aalsmeer auctions in Holland.

Flamelily Flowers have worked successfully with staff at Greenmount Campus to produce quality extended season cut flower Peony to meet the high standards of the Dutch market.

Alan and Ashleigh successfully shipped their 2008 harvest of Peony cut flowers to Holland during June and July where they caused quite a stir amongst auction buyers. Rene Vissers, owner of Novaflor and Dutch agent for Flamelily Flowers said: “Their peonies were of a very high quality with excellent vase life and were available for several weeks after the Dutch peony supply had finished. This enabled Flamelily to sell their flowers at a higher than average price on the Dutch auctions.”

The Mitchell’s now plan to export to Holland two other cut flower crops, Hydrangea and Eryngium during August and September this year.

Alan said: “We see ourselves as pioneers of a future for Northern Ireland flower production selling flowers throughout Ireland, Great Britain and Europe.  I would encourage other family run farms to consider cut flower production as an alternative to the more conventional farming enterprises and to join us in exporting extended season, high quality cut flowers to the European market.”

Greenmount Campus has organised an introductory training course on the production of cut flowers and foliage with the first day to be held at Flamelily Flowers on Thursday 4 September. A second day will be held at Greenmount Campus during October where participants will have the opportunity to view the current cut flower and foliage technology programme.

If you are interested in attending this course or wish to receive more details on local cut flower and foliage production please contact David Davidson, CAFRE Cut Flower Development Adviser, Telephone: 028 3751 5605 or email: david.davidson@dardni.gov.uk