How long have you been growing Freesias?
Since 1978. Before that time we grew vegetables such as salad plants and tomatoes and before that we grew grapes, although some members of the family were already growing Freesias even then.

Which varieties do you grow?
I grow many exclusive, newer varieties as well as several ‘bread and butter varieties’. By this I mean the Freesias that belong to the standard assortment.

What fascinates you about this flower?
The scent. Freesias have a wonderful sweet scent, some being more strongly scented than others. I also enjoy watching the flowers open. A vase filled with Freesias is an ever changing picture.

What is your favourite Freesia?
Giraffe! It smells delicious and its stripes make it really special to look at. Other favourites are the only true orange Freesia ‘Orange Mountain’ and ‘White Giant’, because of its size. 

How can you recognise a good Freesia?
The stem must weigh at least 15 grams and be at least 50 cm long. This is what we call a Freesia with ‘body’. If you buy Freesias in a Maxima(al)® wrapper, you cannot go wrong.

Have you any advice for florists?
Never buy Freesias that are immature. The right stage of maturity ensures good flowering and a good vase life.
What would you use Freesias for?
To enrich traditional, romantic and luxury mixed bouquets. To add a hint of perfume!


Single and double flowered Freesias
The elegant Freesia can be single or double flowered. The stamens are clearly visible in single flowered Freesias. In the case of double flowered Freesias the stamens have been transformed into petals by means of hybridisation. This adds extra ornamental value to an already decorative flower. All Freesias are scented, the blue ones have the least scent. The largest and heaviest Freesias are recognisable by the wrapper with the Freesia MaXiMa(al)® label. For more information go to www.freesiamaximaal.com.

Heaven-s(c)ent Layered bouquet of (from the top down) Dracaena sanderiana Lucky Bamboo (17573), Freesia Versailles (11010), Viburnum opulus Roseum (295) and Oreopanax leaves (100547).	Giraffe (21667) Fabulous striped, sweetly scented, single flowered Freesia.
Algarve (100193) Double flowered purple, with sweetly scented flowers.	White Giant (25089) The largest white single flowered Freesia, sweetly scented, romantic!
Golden Gate (25479) Lightly scented, double flowered, canary yellow Freesia.	Honeymoon (17925) Subtly striped, double flowered, pink Freesia; sweetly scented.
Mercurius (24756) Very sweetly scented, single flowered, purple Freesia with  a yellow/white throat.	Delta River (23295) Purple and white, single flowered Freesia, which also smells delicious.
Sweet surprise Grouped bouquet of Fritillaria imperialis (1139), Freesia ‘Blue Moon’ (6404), Freesia ‘Santorini’ (13083), Anigozanthos (1164), Ranunculus ‘Clooney’ (269), Asparagus umbellatus (514) and Fatsia leaves (13312).