Ton Peter van Nieuwkerk, In Pursuit of a Better Amaryllis

Ton Peter van Nieuwkerk is one of Holland's leading amaryllis breeders.

Following World War II, things were difficult throughout Europe. The van Nieuwkerks of Wateringen in southern Holland, had been in the seed business for nearly a half century, but to make ends meet, they turned to selling amaryllis bulbs door to door. When business was slow, they often came home with bulbs left over. Rather than throw them away, they planted them in the fields around their home.

This is how Ton Peter van Nieuwkerk grew up: surrounded by amaryllis of all colors and forms. He fell in love with their beauty and when it came time to choose a career, he dedicated himself to the challenging task of breeding new amaryllis varieties. He has concentrated on producing better color, improved form and shorter stalk length.

Today the van Nieuwkerks are the largest amaryllis growers in Holland, producing more than 3 million bulbs each year in their 30 acres of greenhouses. Many of their most spectacular amaryllis are the result of Ton Peter's breeding breakthroughs.

One of his major accomplishments is the double-flowered amaryllis, particularly the Nymph series. Among his favorites is the Pink Nymph Amaryllis, which was an exclusive Dutch Gardens introduction in 2003.