Irish students explore floriculture in the Netherlands

Level 3 Floristry and Horticulture students from the College of Food, Agriculture and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) recently completed a study tour to the Netherlands. Focused on the Amsterdam, Lisse and Aalsmeer regions, the visit showcased innovation, sustainability and diversity within the Dutch floriculture and horticulture sectors.

Keukenhof Gardens, Lisse
The first visit of the tour was to Keukenhof Gardens, located in the municipality of Lisse. Each autumn, a team of 40 gardeners plant approximately 7 million bulbs. Planting begins in early October and is typically completed by early December. The flower beds are carefully designed and synchronised to different flowering times, ensuring continuous blooms throughout the park’s spring opening. Keukenhof is best known for its spectacular tulip displays during this period.

Students spent a full day exploring the gardens, including the walled garden with its Clematis tunnel and the Japanese country garden. Highlights included a cruise through the surrounding bulb fields and climbing the windmill for panoramic 360-degree views of the gardens. They were inspired by the variety of planting styles – ranging from bold, mass-planted blocks of colour to more mixed density, layered bulb combinations. Students also had the opportunity to purchase some of the unique bulb varieties on display and are looking forward to recreating a small piece of Keukenhof in their own gardens next year.

Royal FloraHolland, Aalsmeer
The second stop was Royal FloraHolland in Aalsmeer, the world’s largest international floriculture marketplace. Operating as both a growers’ cooperative and commercial business, the auction handles an immense volume of trade, processing around 43 million flowers daily.

The tour offered students first-hand insight into the logistics and systems used to process flowers efficiently from producer to market on an international scale. Flowers from across the globe are traded within this vast complex and undergo around 30 quality checks to ensure accurate grading.

Students were particularly impressed by the fast-paced movement of trucks pulling long lines of trolleys through the building. They observed orders being assembled for different customers and watched the high-level transport system lifting trolleys and transporting them across the site to packing and haulage areas. The experience highlighted the scale of the global flower industry and gave students a new appreciation of the logistics behind sourcing flowers for their classes.

Waterdrinker, Aalsmeer
The third visit was to Waterdrinker, a large wholesaler and exporter within the international floriculture market. Serving florists, wholesalers, garden centres and retailers across Europe, Waterdrinker offers a wide assortment of green and flowering houseplants, garden plants, flowers, pots and accessories. The company’s mission is to make plants and flowers accessible to all, promoting healthier and happier living environments. Sustainability is a core part of its ethos, with a strong emphasis on the importance of greenery in everyday life.

Students spent several hours exploring the facility, which featured an extensive range of plants displayed on trolleys organised in a clear grid layout. The structure grouped plants by variety and price point, making it easy to compare options from small to large specimens. At the end of each row, display areas showcased plants styled with containers and accessories, demonstrating effective merchandising techniques and reinforced its importance in driving plant sales.

© CAFRE

Exploring Amsterdam
The tour also included time to experience some sightseeing during their time in Amsterdam. Students visited the famous floating flower market and took a canal cruise through the city centre, taking in its historic architecture and iconic bridges. Along the way, they passed landmarks such as the Anne Frank House, the National Maritime Museum, the Nine Streets, and the Seven Bridges. The buildings lining the canals – many leaning at various angles – prompted fascinating insights into the engineering required to support them.

Students also observed canal boats, some permanently moored and others actively navigating the waterways. The trip included sampling local cuisine, with favourites including bitterballen, stroopwafels, poffertjes, and traditional Dutch Friet.

A valuable learning experience
The study tour provided floristry and horticulture students with valuable exposure to international best practice in purchasing, sustainability and production management. The diverse programme of visits highlighted innovation and environmental responsibility, while reinforcing the importance of a global perspective within the industry. Students returned to Greenmount Campus with fresh insights and renewed enthusiasm to apply their learning.

Source: Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs