History

The Grandiflora Timeline

From Grandiflora’s humble beginnings in 1954, the company pioneered the Australian Floriculture Industry.

Recognised as an innovator and trusted industry leader, Grandiflora has led the way with ground-breaking commercial glasshouses, rose transportation, commercial flower cool rooms, year-round production technology, importation of exotic flowers, a vase life test room and more. We are proud of our many achievements:

1951
1951

Jan (John) and Kryntje (Kitty) Schreuders migrate to Australia from the Netherlands.

1953
1953

John and Kitty import the first American Sim Carnations. This is the first time carnations are available in Australia, and is the humble beginning of Grandiflora.

1954
1954

John & Kitty purchase 5 acres of land in Braeside (Victoria). They design and construct the first commercial glasshouses in Australia, which lays the foundation of Grandiflora’s innovative presence within the Australian floriculture industry.

1955
1955

The first bunches of American Sim carnations are introduced and sold in Australia.

1958
1958

Continued demand for John and Kitty’s American Sim carnations necessitates the construction of additional glasshouses, which were built continually for the next 12 years and did not cease till 1970.

1960
1960

The inaugural production of cut roses commences.

1961
1961

John’s passion to spearhead Australia’s relatively new floriculture industry saw him create the first small commercial cool room to improve the longevity of cut flowers. This successful innovation had a profound impact on the industry.

1963
1963

John purchases a new larger delivery truck with heavy metal lining and refrigerated insulation. The truck is an Australian-first and significantly improves flower transportation.

1965
1965

 The popularity for cut roses increases and additional glasshouses are built to satisfy ever-increasing demand.

1971
1971

purpose built heated propagation and quarantine facility for carnations is erected.

1975
1975

Grandiflora embarks on a new venture with the importation of Singapore Orchids and Anthuriums. This is another first for the Australiana floriculture industry. The flowers are immediately popular with customers.

1977
1977

Plans commence to develop and construct a new and modern nursery facility in Skye (Victoria), 40 kilometres south east of Melbourne.

1981
1981

Purpose built cool rooms are installed to facilitate the large increase in production required to satisfy customer demand for Grandiflora flowers.

1983
1983

Grandiflora develops the first flower trolley transport system for Australia, reducing transportation damage greatly.

1986
1986

Grandiflora commences building 5 acres of environmentally controlled glasshouses, the largest construction of its type for growing flowers at any one time in Australia. This impressive record was held for 24 years.

1989
1989

Grandiflora’s founder, John Schreuders (1918 – 1989), sadly passed away. John is acknowledged as the pioneering founder and a true visionary within the Australian flower industry.

1990
1990

Grandiflora plans and embarks on a new vision and direction for the next decade. The company secures its first of which is to become several exclusive Australian agencies for International rose breeding companies.

1994
1994

Grandiflora embarks on its own cut rose breeding program. The venture is hugely successful.

2001
2001

Grandiflora creates a Collection Guide catalogue showcasing the entire product range, a first for the flower industry. The catalogue continues to be updated and printed annually, and becomes the eminent reference guide for Grandiflora clients. 

2008
2008

The launch and introduction of the Grandiflora bred thornless red rose, Adrenalin, is very well received by the flower industry. Its intense/vibrant colour quickly becomes a firm favourite and number one choice of roses for florists.

2011
2011

A purpose built, vase life test room is constructed for the testing all new Grandiflora bred varieties. This is an Australian first.

2012
2012

Grandiflora achieves the completion of 100% water recycling of the entire production, now hydroponically grown nursery.

2013
2013

The introduction of a New Rose Collection called Clustar Roses, launching with 23 varieties of Laces and Gems varieties.

2015
2015

Grandiflora celebrates 60 years in business. To mark the milestone occasion, Grandiflora introduces a completely new and exoctic rose named Grand Jubilee.

2016
2016

Grandiflora opened an environmentally controlled Roses Direct cool room at Skye.

2017
2017

Grandiflora released 21 new styles of roses under the brand of Classic Roses, bred by Grandiflora.

2018
2018

Grandiflora introduced the innovative new display & select trolley.

2019
2019

Grandiflora celebrated their 25th year of Research & Development in Rose Breeding.

2020
2020

Grandiflora achieves 65 years in floriculture. Grandiflora roses can be purchased Australia-wide through their distributor network in every state.

2021
2021

Grandiflora has created, grown and commercialised more than 300 cut rose varieties for the Australian & International flower trade.

 
© Grandiflora