How it all started

When world peace was re-established in 1945, two young Hollanders were finally able to realise a long cherished dream – to settle in South Africa and grow fine flower bulbs.

Floor Barnhoorn and Harry de Leeuw were self-made men. Both had left school at the age of 14 to earn their livings by selling bulbs for growers. Their 18 hour days finished with evening classes in English and bookkeeping. Keen, alert and full of drive, they brought their flower bulb expertise and newly acquired language and accounting skills to South Africa in 1946 and established the company that is today known as Hadeco.

They first planted fast growing gladioli for cut flowers and corms – to generate some much needed cashflow, before branching out into other crops. The early days were not easy. The first bulb store was a second hand army tent and staff sometimes had to wait patiently for their wages.

Floor looked after production and the nursery, while Harry travelled the country, towing an old caravan; gradually developing a market for flower bulbs, which were virtually unknown at the time.

From these humble beginnings, Hadeco has grown into one of the largest organisations of its kind in the world, without losing sight of the original partners’ obsession with excellence, reliability of supply and genuine concern for customer satisfaction. These values are an integral part of Hadeco’s culture.

Managed today by direct descendants of founder Floor Barnhoorn, Hadeco is an international leader in the breeding, raising, growing and worldwide distribution of flower bulbs, fresh cut flowers and laboratory- in- vitro produced plant material.

Traditionally a wholesale bulb grower, Hadeco began expanding its cut flower division in the mid 1970’s and in 1980 a tissue culture and meristem laboratory was established. In 1980 the Company began marketing the Hadeco name on its home-grown range of more than 45 kinds of bulbs ranging from Allium to Zephyranthes  and over 40 types of cut flowers. Current annual sales total over 100 million bulbs and 40 million flower stems. Other, related products are also marketed.