Since 1888
HISTORY
1888
Kweekerij Moerheim
Bonne Ruys established Kweekerij Moerheim on 15 March 1888 (22 years). The name “Moerheim” refers to his elderly home in Dedemsvaart. In 1888, the popularity of perennials grew, and Moerheim became one of the largest growers of perennial plants.
Source: www.tuinenmienruys.nl
www.beeldbankavereest.nl - Huize Moerheim - Dedemsvaart
1904
Moerheim Catalogue 1938. Colour-plates (and cover) after paintings by Esther Niedermeier Bartning 1906 – 1987
Koninklijke Kweekerij Moerheim
In 1904, on August 31, the Moerheim nursery was allowed to use the title of purveyor to the Royal Household. The nursery had made deliveries to the Royal Gardens of Soestdijk and Het Loo. So from now on, they could call themselves “Koninklijke Kweekerij Moerheim” (Royal Nursery Moerheim)
Koninklijke Kweekerij Moerheim, Royal warrant of appointment
100 years later
Breeding Surfinia®
In 1987, Suntory®, a Japanese company famous for its whisky, beers, and wines, decided to set up a flower division: Suntory® Flowers Ltd. The reason is their discovery of a new Petunia variety with great growing and flowering characteristics. Suntory® decides to plant the Petunias for testing next to the rose fields.
At the same time, MNP / Suntory is busy making professional connections with foreign companies. Through these connections, they hear about the steps that Suntory® is taking in the horticultural market. MNP / Suntory sees potential in the new Petunia they have created, and soon, the first conversations between MNP / Suntory and the breeders of Suntory® started.
Surfinia® Hot Pink
1988
Introduction of Surfinia® Purple
MNP / Suntory pitches its European marketing plan for Surfinia® to Suntory® in Japan. MNP / Suntory receives the first Surfinia® cuttings from breeding to testing and selection in the Netherlands. The marketing plan has been approved, and the introduction of Surfinia® in Europe has started. Together, they introduce Surfinia® Purple: the first trailing Petunia produced from cuttings.
Surfinia® Purple
1989
Foundations for the future
The result of the successful introduction of Surfinia® is a unique cooperation between Suntory® Flowers Ltd. and MNP / Suntory, in which MNP / Suntory obtained the rights for all future products of Suntory® genetics in Europe, Middle-East, and Africa. Soon, Surfinia® became the market leader in the trailing Petunia segment for many years. The rest is history!
Trailing Surfinia® Blue Vein in Italy
1992
A million Surfinia®'s sold
Other European licensees like Kientzler, Lazzeri, Boyard, Muller, Four Oaks and Hanson are welcomed into the world of Surfinia®. Surfinia® gets official plant breeder rights and is planted at the Floriade in Zoetermeer (The Netherlands). At the end of this year, more than a million Surfinia® were sold in Europe. A real milestone.
Surfinia® in Amsterdam (The Netherlands)
1995
Million Bells® & Tapien®
After Surfinia®, other innovations, such as Calibrachoa, were sold under the brand name Million Bells®, and Verbena with trade names including Tapien®. These products have become widely accepted by all trade companies involved in annuals and bedding plants. Approximately 120 million plants of the Suntory varieties are sold throughout Europe annually.
Million Bells®
1999
The early spring bedding plant family
Senetti® varieties thrive in low temperatures and provide high colour impact early in the season with up to 200 flowers per plant. Pericallis Senetti® are available in various vibrant colours, including vivid blues, magentas, violets and stunning bicolours. The plants develop large daisy-like flowers from early spring until summer and are best grown in 25 cm containers. When flowers start to fade, plants can be cut back to bloom again later in the season, extending consumer enjoyment.
Senetti® Blue White XXL
2003
Starting the Mandevilla revolution with Sundaville®
In 2003, MNP / Suntory and Suntory Flowers Ltd. released a true revolution in the horticultural industry with Sundaville® Red, the first genuinely red Mandevilla, which has excellent branching and rich flowering. Sundaville® is a forceful plant for outdoor use in tubs and baskets. This Mandevilla needs very little water and provides a massive flower show all throughout the summer, making it a low-maintenance, user-friendly plant for every consumer. Sundaville® is, therefore, the No.1 Mandevilla (Dipladenia) on the horticultural market.
The revolutionary Sundaville® Early Scarlet
2008
Fashionably late with Surdiva®
The Surdiva® collection is elegant, artistic, and always in style. The fan-shaped flowers on short terminal spikes are distinctive and classy, hinting at Art Deco. Surdiva® is a range of nicely coloured Scaevola, one of the world’s most heat-tolerant bedding plants, making it suitable for low maintenance. It has a mounding, semi-trailing habit with manageable growth and continuous flowering. Hence, the Surdiva collection is highly versatile and has many uses, from ground cover to hanging baskets, pots, and balcony boxes.
Surdiva® Compact Pink
2009
A new star is born
Princettia®, the compact Euphorbia pulcherrima range, is a premium gift that can be given all year round. It is available in gorgeous shades of pink and bright white varieties, making it the perfect present for occasions like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and Christmas. Princettia® plants are naturally compact with excellent branching and will produce many intensely coloured bracts and dark green leaves. Its resistance to lower temperatures makes the Princettia® assortment perfect for outdoor use in every garden and balcony. Join in the Princettia® experience!
Princettia® Pink
2010
Sales record of 65 million Surfinia®'s
Over 65 million Surfinia® were sold in Europe in one year, and all sales records were broken.
Surfinia® Deep Red
2015
The bee inspired Beedance® brand
The original Beedance® range consists of compact bee & bee-butterfly-attracting Bidens with striking red and yellow colours. These strong and healthy plants are suitable for almost every climate and can be used as a patio plant, in balcony boxes, hanging baskets and as a bedding plant. There are two Beedance® varieties: Beedance® Painted Red and Beedance® Painted Yellow. Both are irresistible to bees and butterflies, creating biodiversity wherever they are planted. Because of its compact shape, Beedance® is easy to grow and therefore, perfect for modern cultivation. Its strong spreading and trailing habit makes it suitable for many situations, including borders and hanging baskets.
Beedance® Painted Red
2017
A revolution: The first real orange Mandevilla
Here it is! The Sundaville® Apricot! The biggest revolution in Mandevilla (Dipladenia) since we introduced the Sundaville® brand. We are talking about the first Classic Sundaville® with a beautiful and exciting new bright orange colour, the Sundaville® Apricot.
Sundaville® Apricot has the same distinctive characteristics as the Sundaville® varieties from the Classic range. It has large, long-lasting, 9 cm apricot-coloured flowers with a darker, orange-yellow heart. It boasts a good branching habit, blooms very early and flowers continuously. Sundaville® Apricot plants are best grown in 15 and 17-cm pots with support.
Sundaville® Apricot
2019
30 years of cooperation
This year (2019), we celebrate 30 years of collaboration between Suntory® Flowers Ltd. and MNP / Suntory. This partnership can be described as a phenomenal success story. With many plant introductions to come over the coming years, you can be sure that we will keep surprising you with stunning and innovative varieties from which we will all benefit. Join us for the next 30 successful years!
MNP / Suntory
Matchmaker Sunpuma®
The Sunpuma® collection is the ultimate flowernizer. Pink. Purple. Big or Small. It doesn’t matter which flower, Sunpuma® loves them all. The question is… Dare you to mix it up? Sunpuma® is a range of Ipomoea that grows easily, stays compact and is available early in the season. The plants are suitable for hanging baskets, balcony containers and bedding plants, which can be mixed easily with other plants or flowers. Their attractive, striking foliage turns every garden or balcony into an eye-catching spectacle.
2020
30 years of Surfinia®
Trailing Surfinia®
Supersized crispy Granvia®
The Granvia® collection is an instant mood booster from the very first time you touch it. This collection comprises Xerochrysum (Bracteantha) with significant and long-lasting flowers and a unique crispy texture, reminiscent of thin and delicate paper. While multiple Bracteantha varieties are available in the market, the Granvia® variety stands out for its robustness, better branching, and earlier blooming. Additionally, it is easy to propagate and grow and delivers a strong garden performance.
The crispy Granvia® Gold
2022
20 years of Sundaville®
We are excited and touched to celebrate this important milestone — the first Sundaville® red variety was introduced 20 years ago. Seeing how far we’ve come together with all our stakeholders is incredible. The first time Jeroen Egtberts, our General Director at MNP / Suntory, saw a red Mandevilla in Japan, he was astonished by its beauty and fresh new look. Through the splendid breeding work from Suntory Flowers Ltd in Japan and our ability to test and select the best quality genetics, Sundaville® has become a tremendous and significant product for consumers.
MNP / Suntory
MILESTONES 2023
2023
1.500.000.000 Surfinia®'s sold in Europe
MNP / Suntory, the breeding company in Leimuiderbrug, is excited to announce that they have successfully sold 1.5 billion Surfinia® plants in Europe, making the continent more vibrant. Surfinia® Purple, the first trailing Petunia from cuttings, was introduced 32 years ago and has become synonymous with trailing Petunia due to its immense popularity. Klaas Droog, MNP / Suntory’s sales and licence manager, emphasises that every Surfinia® is a Petunia, but not every Petunia is a Surfinia®.
New Surfinia® varieties
The world's first double flowered Mandevilla
Sundaville® Double Blush Pink is a breakthrough in floriculture as it is the first double-flowered Mandevilla to possess the same robust qualities and features as Sundaville® classic varieties. Therefore, it is a safe investment for the future. This unique Mandevilla produces a broader range of pink hues due to a second flower in the centre. Its high-contrast flowers and emerald green leaves make it a stunning visual attraction.
Sundaville® Double Blush Pink
FleuroSelect FleuroStar award 2023
The Sundaville® Double Blush Pink has been announced as the 2023 edition FleuroStar Award winner! We discovered this exciting news during a beautiful night organised by FleuroSelect in week 24 during the FlowerTrials event. This is a time to express our gratitude and appreciation for the team behind Sundaville®. With their creativity, capabilities, courage, and hard work, they have established Sundaville® as a triple A-brand in Mandevilla / Dipladenia, known throughout Europe. The Sundaville® Double Blush Pink will surely double everyone’s happiness!
Winners of the FleuroStar award 2023
werkenbijmnpflowers.com
Through our new corporate branding strategy with MNP / Suntory as a house of brands, we sought to elevate our employer brand and provide a more personalised experience to (future) employees. With the launch of werkenbijmnpflowers.com, we have created a platform that showcases our commitment to innovation and excellence while highlighting our team members’ unique stories and inspiring work.
2024
European brand introduction of Soirée® — Your Sweet Besties
Is it a Catharanthus? Is it a Vinca? A periwinkle, perhaps? No… This is the new Soirée®! Your sweet besties are the cutest summer flowers in the world and are exclusively grown from cuttings, which offer sweet advantages. Traditionally crafted by the Dutch/Japanese breeders from Sundaville®, Surfinia®, Senetti®, Princettia®, Beedance®, and many others.
2025
Suntory Flowers Europe
After more than 35 years of fruitful partnership and collaboration, Suntory Flowers Ltd acquired MNP, creating Suntory Flowers Europe BV.
Headquartered in Leimuiderbrug, this new company will serve as the central hub for the European horticultural market, managing the distribution and promotion of Suntory Flowers Ltd’s renowned genetics. This union marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for our company. It represents the natural evolution of a long-standing and fruitful partnership built on years of support and commitment from all our stakeholders.
Suntory Flowers Ltd acquired MNP
Future