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:
Jan (John) and Kryntje (Kitty) Schreuders migrate to Australia from the Netherlands.
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.
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.
The first bunches of American Sim carnations are introduced and sold in Australia.
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.
The inaugural production of cut roses commences.
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.
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.
The popularity for cut roses increases and additional glasshouses are built to satisfy ever-increasing demand.
purpose built heated propagation and quarantine facility for carnations is erected.
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.
Plans commence to develop and construct a new and modern nursery facility in Skye (Victoria), 40 kilometres south east of Melbourne.
Purpose built cool rooms are installed to facilitate the large increase in production required to satisfy customer demand for Grandiflora flowers.
Grandiflora develops the first flower trolley transport system for Australia, reducing transportation damage greatly.
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.
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.
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.
Grandiflora embarks on its own cut rose breeding program. The venture is hugely successful.
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.
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.
A purpose built, vase life test room is constructed for the testing all new Grandiflora bred varieties. This is an Australian first.
Grandiflora achieves the completion of 100% water recycling of the entire production, now hydroponically grown nursery.
The introduction of a New Rose Collection called Clustar Roses, launching with 23 varieties of Laces and Gems varieties.
Grandiflora celebrates 60 years in business. To mark the milestone occasion, Grandiflora introduces a completely new and exoctic rose named Grand Jubilee.
Grandiflora opened an environmentally controlled Roses Direct cool room at Skye.
Grandiflora released 21 new styles of roses under the brand of Classic Roses, bred by Grandiflora.
Grandiflora introduced the innovative new display & select trolley.
Grandiflora celebrated their 25th year of Research & Development in Rose Breeding.
Grandiflora achieves 65 years in floriculture. Grandiflora roses can be purchased Australia-wide through their distributor network in every state.
Grandiflora has created, grown and commercialised more than 300 cut rose varieties for the Australian & International flower trade.
