Explore all blogs
Blog category
Search for blogs
Step into the greenhouses of hydrangea grower Vicini and you’re greeted by rows upon rows of blooming beauty. Hydrangeas in every shade imaginable, from soft pastels to bold jewel tones. At Hoek flowers, we’re proud to work with many amazing growers who go above and beyond. And Vicini? They’re one of them! This hydrangea grower from Maasland stands out not only for their top quality, but also for their focus on sustainability, innovation, and craftmanship
Ever wondered how your favourite spray roses come to life? We visited spray rose breeder Interplant to find out more about the process behind these iconic roses. With over 60 years of experience and a pioneering spirit, Interplant is a global name in rose breeding. So, time to take a closer look at who they are, how their rose breeding actually works, and the story behind some of the world’s most beloved spray roses!
Ranunculus, with its delicate, paper-thin petals, is pure wedding magic. Loved for its romantic charm and vibrant colors, it’s a favorite among brides and florists. Whether for a spring garden wedding or a cozy winter celebration, it adds elegance.
For dreamy wedding florals, lisianthus deserves the spotlight. With its rose-like petals and delicate beauty, it’s a must-have for wedding florists. Whether for bouquets, centerpieces, or boutonnières, lisianthus adds timeless elegance to any wedding theme.
Say hello to hydrangeas for a true statement! These cloud-like blooms are a dream for florists, fitting seamlessly into any wedding style. With their full clusters, vibrant colors, and space-filling charm, they are a go-to for elegant wedding designs.
Delicate, elegant, and effortlessly charming, lisianthus is often compared to roses for its similar look. With its soft petals and romantic feel, it’s a favourite among florists and flower lovers. Perfect for weddings, events, or everyday arrangements.
Let’s hear it for the peony’s slightly smaller (but just as cool) little cousin: the ranunculus! With its delicate petals and vibrant colors, this flower is a favorite among florists and flower lovers. Let’s explore its seasonality and care tips.
Big, bold, and effortlessly beautiful, welcome to the world of hydrangeas! These amazing flowers are more than just a pretty face. With their full, oversized heads and unique water-loving nature, hydrangeas bring both elegance and drama to any arrangement. Unlike most flowers, hydrangeas have sepals instead of petals, making them one of the most fascinating flowers out there. Whether you’re designing a wedding bouquet, a centrepiece, or an everyday arrangement, hydrangeas never fail to impress. But what makes hydrangeas so special? Let’s dive into their story and secrets!
Gypsophila, often also called baby’s breath, is a real staple in the floral industry. This delicate flower is known for its cloud-like clusters of tiny flowers, which bring an airy, romantic touch to any arrangement. Whether it’s the star of the show or playing a supporting role as a filler flower, gypsophila is the ultimate team player in the flower world. Let’s take a closer look at why this flower is such a favourite among florists and how you can make the most of it.
If you’re looking for a flower that’ll turn heads, delphinium is your answer. The delphinium flower is tall and big but has the most delicate and cute petals. The individual flowers on the stems look like little butterflies, which makes them extra special. Delphinium flowers are stunning, and once you see them, it’s hard to look away. Perfect for bouquets, floral arrangements, or even standing solo in a vase, delphiniums add drama and elegance like no other flower.
When I say summer flower, you say… Dahlia! These stunning flowers are the ultimate showstoppers in any summer or fall flower arrangement. They’re bold, versatile, and always the centre of attention. Whether you’re putting together a dahlia bouquet, a floral centrepiece with dahlias, or just showing them off in a vase, dahlia flowers never fail to impress. Let’s take a closer look at what makes these summer flowers so special.
Carnation cut flowers are one of the oldest cultivated flowers in the world, and for good reason. These flowers have been around since ancient Greek and Roman times, where they stole the spotlight in ceremonies, artwork, and even crowns. Fast forward to today, and carnations are still loved for their vibrant colours, long-lasting nature, and versatility. Let’s dive into their rich history, unique names, and why carnation flowers deserve a spot in your flower assortment.
Few flowers are as dreamy as garden roses for weddings. With layered petals and a wonderful scent, they bring timeless beauty to floral designs. Their natural, open shape resembles peonies or ranunculus, making them perfect for any wedding style.
Let’s give it up for one of the most romantic roses out there: the garden rose. These special roses are loved by many for their soft, layered petals and charming, vintage vibe. With their romanic look and incredible fragrance, garden roses are a favourite of flower lovers all over the world. They have a unique touch that sets them apart from any other rose and makes them perfect for everyday arrangements, events, or most importantly, weddings!
When it comes to wedding flowers, nothing beats the timeless beauty of Ecuador roses. With their large, luxurious blooms and stunning colors, they are a florist favorite for bridal bouquets and décor. A must-have for unforgettable floral designs.
Ecuador roses hold a special place in the hearts of rose lovers and florists everywhere. And for good reason! Known for their premium quality and beauty, Ecuador roses are some of the best roses in the world. Did you know that over 70% of Ecuador’s cut flower exports are roses? That says a lot about their global popularity and how much love and care goes into growing them.
Let’s talk about roses, because there’s something truly magical about these flowers. As one of the most popular flowers in the world, roses have become a universal symbol of love, beauty, and elegance. Whether it’s a romantic gift or just a way to brighten up your day, roses never go out of style. Let’s take a closer look at what makes these flowers so special and why roses are a florist staple.
When you visit Holland during Spring, you’ll see absolute flower heaven: fields filled with daffodils, hyacinths, and of course, tulips! The Netherlands is the world’s largest producer and exporter of tulips and tulip bulbs. Over time, the tulip has even become an unofficial national symbol of the Netherlands. With so many tulip varieties and colours, this flower is a must-have for florist during spring. Let’s dive into the colourful world of tulips and explore their varieties, origin, and how to care for them!
Inspiration Every year, colour institute Pantone announces its Colour of the Year, setting the tone for design, fashion, and floristry trends all over the world. Last year’s Colour of the Year 2024, Peach Fuzz, was a great success. So, let’s give it up for the Colour of the Year 2025… Mocha Mousse! It’s a warm, rich brown that feels cozy, sophisticated, and totally timeless. Let’s dive into what makes this colour so special and how you can use Mocha Mousse flowers to create stunning arrangements.
Let’s talk about poppy preparations! These cute flowers are so cool when they’re still closed but are a real treat once they open up. If you want to keep your poppies fresh and pretty, you’re at the right place for tips & tricks! We researched the best poppy tips & tricks and spoke with our trusted growers so we can provide you with the best poppy-hacks. For example, did you know that the grower burns the ends of the stem close? Read on and find out why they do this!
It’s 2025 and that means it’s time for another year full of beautiful and spectacular weddings. Wedding décor in 2025 is all about pushing boundaries, embracing creativity and thinking outside the box when it comes to wedding florals. From artistic wedding centrepieces to unique flower combinations, florists have plenty of opportunities to let their creativity shine this wedding season. Below, we’ll tell you all about the up-and-coming wedding floral trends that will dominate in 2025.
Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love, romance, and the timeless tradition of gifting flowers. For florists, it is one of the most exciting and busiest times of the year. That’s why we have created a Valentine’s Day pre-order for you. You can easily save time by ordering your Valentine’s flowers in advance.
We have some very exciting news! Announcing our new direct line: Asia Direct. For the first time ever, you can order premium Chinese flowers through our web shop, a service unlike any other in the industry. Say goodbye to phone orders and uncertainty, and hello to reliable, high-quality flowers deliver straight to your door. We’ve teamed up with over 80 top growers to supply you with the best flowers, now even fresher than before!
During the colder months, flowers can help create that warm, holiday feeling we all love. Whether you’re creating stunning arrangements or designing a holiday wedding, Christmas flowers add a special touch to any space. Let’s get into the Christmas spirit together with our guide to the most popular Christmas flowers and top trends florists need to know for 2024 Christmas floral designs.
Red Lands Roses is a well-known name in the world of premium roses. Known for superior quality and ethical practices, Red Lands Roses offers sustainable flowers to florists worldwide. Their eco-friendly blooms align perfectly with the growing demand for ethical products in the floral industry. Whether for weddings or everyday bouquets, their hybrid tea and spray roses provide versatile options. Florists can use these luxury spray roses to impress customers. In this blog, you will learn how Red Lands Roses are grown and why they are the perfect option for florists.
At Hoek flowers, we’re committed to sustainability, and we are constantly looking for ways to reduce our environmental impact while helping our florists do the same. As part of our ongoing focus on Hoek flowers sustainability initiatives, we’re excited to announce our partnership with COM:POST!! Together, we’re offering a simple, effective solution for managing green waste across the UK, supporting the growth of sustainable floristry in the UK. This collaboration is designed to provide eco-friendly waste disposal for florists, making it easier than ever to manage green waste responsibly while contributing to a greener future.
Plants are not only a beautiful addition to any indoor or outdoor space for aesthetic reasons, but they also offer a range of benefits that make our living environments better. From purifying the air and boosting well-being to creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere, plants transform any room, garden, or patio into a greener, healthier, and more inviting space. With our plant grower assortment, it is now possible to shop fresher, high-quality plants while keeping on top of the latest plant trends.
Webshop As the holiday season approaches, so does the magic of Christmas! This is the perfect time to bring the outdoors inside with festive décor. Think Christmas trees, wreaths, garlands, centrepieces, and other greenery. For florists, Christmas greens offer a fantastic way to get creative while providing customers with something fresh, natural, and timeless. Let’s dive into some exciting ideas on how to make the most of Christmas greens in your floral designs this year.
Inspiration As the days are growing shorter and the air is turning colder, the beauty of fall comes alive in more than just the changing of colours. The seasonal flowers are beautiful and have deep, warm colours. In this guide, we’ll explore the top fall flowers, dive into 2024 floral design trends, and reveal the best colour palettes to capture the spirit of autumn.
Inspiration This big and vibrant flower is extremely popular and a favourite of many people for good reason! Dahlias are a real summer flower and signifies the return of better weather for many people. You can find Dahlia’s in many different forms and colours ranging from reds and pinks, to purple and orange. One thing is certain, these bright and stunning flowers are real eye catchers.
Tips & Tricks Known for their lush and big heads, hydrangeas are a favourite among florists and flower enthusiasts. These stunning flowers typically bloom from late spring to early autumn and are seriously breathtaking! Hydrangeas were first cultivated in Japan, but they also originated from the Americas. They thrive in many climates and are beloved all over the world. Let’s dive a little deeper into the world of hydrangeas, because these beauties are quite special!
Inspiration Since last August, our Direct stock from South Africa has been available, letting you buy flowers straight from the sunny farms there. Today, we're focusing on a special group of flowers: Exotics! South Africa is full of unique flowers, and we'll talk about where they come from, how to take care of them, and the different varieties you can find.
Inspiration When we talk about favorite flowers, peonies are on top of the list for many people. These flowers are big and fluffy, making them really stand out. What's more, they come in a big range of colors, but pink is the most popular - it's like a fluffy pink dream. However, it's not just their looks; peonies smell amazing too! They're not around all year, so when peonies start showing up, you know it's spring or early summer. This makes them extra special and something people really look forward to seeing.
Tips & Tricks When you see these beauties… you know that spring has arrived. With their unique bell-shaped flowers and amazing smells, the Lily of the Valley is a real spring staple. It is said that these flowers symbolize luck and prosperity as well as ‘the return of happiness.’ This we can believe, because just look at them! Also known as Convallaria majalis, the Lily of the Valley is a unique and delicate flower. When you unpack a delicate product like Lily of the Valley, make sure to be careful not to damage them by unboxing your flowers. Follow the steps below to ensure the best-looking flowers.
We're thrilled to announce the expansion of our Origin Direct collection to include breathtaking flowers from Ecuador! As some of you may already know, we've been offering flowers sourced directly from farms in South Africa, Kenya, and Colombia, delivered straight from the farms to your doorstep. And now, you can also enjoy your favorite flowers sourced directly from Ecuador. We will add so many beautiful flowers. You’re familiar with the stunning FSQ Roses right? Now, they’re available in the South America stock for attractive prices!
Inspiration The ranunculus flower is a real eye-catcher, even though it is not as famous as a rose or tulip, it is still a hidden gem that everyone should know about! The ranunculus is known for its full heads and layered petals, and they fit into all palettes and themes because of the many color choices.
The season of love, white wedding dresses, rustic locations and emotional vows is around the corner. Although a wedding day will be the most important day in the lives of the brides and grooms, it is very stressful for you as a florist. Dealing with brides (and their moms), their Pinterest boards and having the Peony as favorite flower – that of course isn’t in season on the big day. And did we already Sspeak about quoting months ahead? Wedding flowers are pretty, but seasonal availability and fulfilling the happy couples wishes can both be pretty stressful. But no worries, Hoek flowers is here to help… Let’s talk about this top tier feature.
Valentine's Day is a special day, all about love. Although it’s about love, it can be very stressful for our florists. For those buying flowers, it's the perfect time to show their feelings to their loved ones, and roses are the perfect way to do this. But here's the thing: roses come in different colors, and each color has a different meaning. So, let's talk about what each color of roses represents, making it easier for you to choose the right one for your Valentine.
One of the big advantages of being a Hoek Exclusive member? I would say: Hoek Flower Trips! Meeting florists, growers and discovering the ins and outs of flower business in another country. This time our journey brought us, together with an amazing group of florists, to the gorgeous Riviera dei Fiori, aka The Flower Coast. This informative and fun trip is all about discovering the origin and cultivation method of the Mediterranean products we offer in our web shop. A mixed group of florists from the UK, Northern Ireland, Ireland, and the US gathered to join the Hoek team on this great adventure.
Inside Hoek One thing every florist has in common… buying flowers. Some buy their flowers locally, some buy them everywhere, and some buy them loyally. At Hoek flowers we recognize the dedication and hard work that goes into finding the right flowers that fit with your work and style, but also budget and color palette. There are many things you must keep in mind when you purchase your flowers, especially for weddings or events.
We have some exciting news! We are expanding our Origin Direct stocks with flowers straight from the beautiful country of… Kenya. As many of you might know, we already do this with flowers from South America and South Africa, straight from the farms to your doorstep! South Africa, South America, and Kenya might sound similar, but when it comes to flowers, there are a lot of differences. Read on and find out! A few of our buyers visited our growers in Kenya in October, they were able to visit twelve farms and they told us everything about them so, we have put together this blog about the country and its flowers. Among all the countries of the African continent, Kenya is the largest exporter of cut flowers. Buyer Cees explains: “Many flowers are grown in Kenya, and the number is still increasing. About 10 years ago, mainly roses came from Kenya. But times are changing. Now, all types of summer flowers come from there as well”. This is why we wanted to offer you the ability to purchase flowers direct from these farms too, no unnecessary travel stops but straight to your flower shop.
January… the first month of a new year, sounds exciting but it can be a bit depressing also. The Christmas lights and trees disappear, everything goes back to normal, and the first upcoming holiday takes a while. That’s why we want to spread some positivity and smiles and what better way to do that than with flowers? Instead of feeling blue, we’re going Pink!
As we all know, pink is a very common color in flowers. It has always been the ‘association’ with women, girls and femininity – take for example: the movie Barbie. Since the Barbie movie hit the screens, it did more than just entertain, it brought a big pink wave along. Suddenly, everybody seemed to love this bright color even more, it became trendy everywhere. In fashion, decorations, aesthetics and even flowers. For the woman among us, let’s be honest… That little girl inside of us is jumping of joy to see pink everywhere! That’s why we say today: Think Pink!
If someone asks you ‘White as…?’ then probably the first thing that comes to mind is snow! It is winter and who doesn’t like a white one? It is the same with weddings, the most common choice of colour for wedding flowers is white – this is because white has of course been the traditional colour for bridal dresses for ages. Dating back to Queen Victoria’s wedding in 1840, where she chose to wear white. This tradition has influenced the choice of white in other wedding elements, including flowers. White wedding flowers are also versatile, they pair good with other colours and complement various wedding styles, from classic and traditional to modern and minimalist. White is also often seen as a colour that represents new beginnings and a fresh start, which is fitting for a wedding day, showing the start of a new chapter in the love birds life. Overall, white is very suitable for a wedding, in every aspect, but today we are talking about white wedding flowers – as usual ;) We have selected our favorite white wedding flowers for you, read on and maybe they will be your faves too!
Sustainablity In the middle of April, we launched our new sustainable flower box. These boxes are made of 100% recycled materials, and re-usable up to 200 times! Before, we were sending all our flowers in cardboard boxes. Although we picked up most of the boxes and recycled them, nothing beats this newly invented box. We’ve teamed up with a company called ‘Newwen’, they are focusing on sustainability by making everything recyclable, reusable and they’re moving towards zero waste and 100% sustainability. Together with one of our florists, Jolanta from ‘The Secret Garden Flowers’, we reviewed the box and spoke about how this box changed things for her. We shared the interview with Newwen and they made an amazing article, one I’d like to share with you.
The festive season is coming closer, and it’s the perfect time to fill your shops with red flowers! A signature color during Christmas. Whether we talk about a Carnation or Greenery, a lot can fit into the Christmas palette, and in this blog, we’ll look at some of the most loved red flowers that are perfect for the holiday season. Curious, or in need of inspiration? Read on! Like you may have seen, we posted a reel on Instagram with red flowers. You’ve seen Carnations, Amaryllis, and yes, Peonies! In the video you’ll see specific varieties, but I’ll give you similar flowers too so you can choose!
It’s almost that time of the year when jingle bells ring, Christmas decorations are in full swing and the flower shops are turned into true Winter Wonderlands. As a florist you are the Santa of the flower world, and you must deliver joy all the time… Your flower shop turns into the coziest place in town, at least, after you pay a visit to our decoration stock! We have the most stylish, yet traditional Christmas decorations that are worth having a look! Curious about what we offer? Read on and find out!
Halloween is just a few days away and we already have seen a lot of cool and spooky creations that our florists made. Flowers in pumpkins, all the orange tones and of course the spooky twists, take for example the waxed roses. They are perfect to use in a Halloween arrangement! In this blog I’ll show you exactly what flowers you need to make your flower arrangements look spook-tastic! Everything black and orange works for this theme, but also the wild and wiggly flowers! For example, Euphorbia or Black Zantedeschia. I’ll tell you all about them!
In the Netherlands it’s becoming colder, leaves start to fall, flowers are changing colors and everything is getting cozy. Especially Hydrangeas start to change, as you may know, Hydrangeas in fall are unique in color. I hear you thinking… Isn’t every flower unique? Yes, of course, but Hydrangeas literally change colors on it’s own. A green variety can be green/red the next week. How cool is that? On this fall trip, we wanted to show our florists the magic of walking in such a greenhouse, filled with the most beautiful varieties and colors. Even better, have lunch in between them. Want to know more about our amazing adventures? Read along and maybe we will write about our trip with you in our next blog! In the intro we talk about the Hydrangea part of the journey, but we did so much more! We went to the Tulperij to pick Sunflowers and Dahlias, went to VIP Roses, had a boat tour through the cozy city of Leiden, we showed the place all the magic happens: our HQ, went to have lunch in the greenhouse of Ko Kolk, and most important of all – we had the BEST time together with our florists.
Inspiration There is something magical when it comes to winter weddings, it’s like a fairytale with a frosty twist. In this blog, we’ll discuss some of our favorite winter flowers that make a perfect match for a winter wedding. Whether you’re a bride-to-be or a flower-loving florist, let’s talk about turning your wedding into a winter wonderland with flowers that make everything fall into place!
As we all may know, sustainability is a huge worldwide topic within the floral industry, and at Hoek flowers we try to contribute as much as we can! We would like to tell you a bit about what Hoek flowers does for the planet, and the environment, from the smallest details to the bigger picture. From certificates to solar panels and toilet paper, curious about what we have to tell? Read along and you’ll find out!
As the leaves turn brown and the days are getting colder, we are getting excited! Autumn has arrived and we would love to tell you a bit about autumn flowers. Fall is the season where everything changes, days become shorter, flowers change in varieties, the colour palettes in stores are changing, pumpkin spiced lattes are back and one of the most iconic changes is the transformation of the foliage, they change colour from green to golds, reds, and rich orange.
You may have seen that we have some certificates for our flowers and now we are thrilled to announce that we’ve gained another organic certificate: SKAL biocontrol. This means that we can sell our flowers and plants under the NL-BIO-01 label. How cool!
Sustainability Hi! Do you care about the environment as much as we do? Then our webshop is the right place for you! Especially for the sustainable florist, and for everyone who cares about the world. We also offer organic flowers that are better for the bees, and the planet!
Webshop We are expanding our horizons with delivering flowers directly to you, a lot of you already met our South America stock but now we would love to introduce you to Hoek flowers South Africa too. A place not just known for its safari and coastal drives but also for their flowers! Here at Hoek, we are so excited to start this new project. We’ve teamed up with around 80 of the best flower farms of South Africa, a country where flower growing is not just a business, but a passion!
Hi florist! We understand that sifting through our wide assortment of flowers to find the perfect ones can be quite the undertaking. And it’s not only that. Also, the countdown of 15 minutes after adding a product to your basket can be stressful. “What if I see another product I prefer to buy after the timer runs out?”, or “What if there is a better priced alternative?”. Questions you might ask yourself while buying. Fortunately, there is a ‘life hack’ to prevent all of this. We’re excited to introduce you to our nifty “Favorites” feature. Designed with your ease in mind, this feature will make your floral exploration through our 3.000 items wide flower stock much easier.
These flowers are famous for their big, colorful blooms that look like lots of tiny butterflies. They’re perfect for adding something special to any bouquet or flower arrangement. Whether you're a pro florist or just starting out, it's hard not to love Hydrangeas. But did you know there's more to these flowers than just how pretty they are? Let's find out more
We know that choosing the perfect green flowers for a wedding can be challenging. Once selected the right varieties and color variations, it for sure is a great way to add a unique touch of beauty and color to your arrangements. Seasonal availability, the different shades of green as well as the varieties that are available in this color can be quite overwhelming. Therefore, we’re here to help you out!
Inside Hoek Drive along the coast of France's Cote d'Azur & Italy's Riviera dei Fiori, a romantic destination. See Monaco harbour & snowy mountains, feel the warm January sun. Italian tunes play, inspiring dreams of sunsets, olives, & red wine. On your way to San Remo for stunning Ranunculus fields.
In a game-changing move that's set to redefine the floral industry, Hoek Flowers steps up its sustainability efforts. For the first time, we're introducing reusable, pink flower boxes - an eco-friendly packaging solution entirely made from recycled materials, redefining the packaging norms in the flower market.
Tips & Tricks One of the most popular summer flowers… Dahlia! These flowers come in the brightest colors, coolest shapes and best of all: a real eye-catcher in every bouquet or floral arrangement. Although Dahlias are beautiful, they are very delicate and most of the time damaged after transport. In this blog post we will discuss the best way to prep your Dahlias and give them that extra love-boost.