Gebr. Vletter & Den Haan started importing lilies in the late sixties. The founders of the company went to the USA to import new lily varieties as well as breeding material. These lilies were used for flower production, also known as forcing. In following years the company started selecting, propagating and even the professional breeding of lilies. In most of this early breeding work, varieties and selections originating from breeders such as Leslie Woodriff and Sun Valley in the USA were used. Gebr. Vletter & Den Haan is currently a worldwide market leader in creating new lily varieties. We presently take in a prominent position in the development of new LA Hybrids.

The main activities of Gebr. Vletter & Den Haan include lily breeding and the propagation and sale of lily bulbs. With regard to improving, selecting and multiplying lilies, Gebr. Vletter & Den Haan delivers flowers and bulbs of absolute quality. The assortment expands regularly with new lily species.

Before a lily can be introduced as a variety it has to meet numerous requirements. Gebr. Vletter & Den Haan use the latest techniques and bio-technology for the improvement, breeding and propagation of lilies. We select for new flower forms and colours, but we also pay attention to resistance against diseases and the keeping quality of the flowers and bulbs.

The process of improving, breeding, growing and forcing of lilies is extensively tested in our laboratory and greenhouses. Besides this our lily varieties are also tested by flower-forcing companies in the Netherlands, Italy, Japan, France and the U.S.A.


Testing greenhouse Niigata, Japan

The production of lily bulbs is undertaken by lily growers who have a thorough knowledge of lily cultivation and the lily market. They cooperate closely with Gebr. Vletter & Den Haan.