Three German plant breeders join ThinkPlants

Three German plant breeding companies have joined ThinkPlants' growing network of breeders, growers and suppliers: Kientzler, Bull Plant Genetics and Heuger.

“These new members of the ThinkPlants family continue to expand our growing portfolio of genetics while broadening our reach suppliers have for customers in the North American Market,” says ThinkPlants Director Joey Wiseman.

Kientzler, located in Gensingen, has been part of the European horticultural industry for more than 100 years, and has extensive experience in breeding and developing innovative ornamental plants. As part of the Kientzler group, Innovaplant de Costa Rica is a reliable source for high quality, unrooted cuttings for worldwide supply. Innovaplant is also involved in elite TC production, R&D and laboratory services.

“I am thrilled to be working more closely with Kientzler,” says Wiseman. “Kientzler has some fantastic perennial breeding, and I cannot wait to work with them in promoting these genetics in North America. Our first perennial plants we will support for Kientzler are the Ajuga Best Buddies Series and the Heliopsis Sole, both exciting new additions to the ThinkPlants portfolio.”

Bull Gartenbau (Bull Plant Genetics), located in Gönnebek, has been an integral part of horticulture in northern Germany since 2009. Hartwig Bull turned his passion into a breeding profession. With his wife, Ulrike Bull, and a strong team, Bull Plant Genetics has built a strong following for superior genetic performance beyond Germany and into the North American market.

“We look forward to working with the Bull Team to bring their Echinacea SunMagic Series to North American growers," states Zoltan Kovacs of ThinkPlants. “I have seen some of these Echinacea in recent grower trials, and they really are something special, very different from other breeding I have seen.”

Heuger, located in Glandorf and founded in 1950 by Paul Heuger, produces young plants, pre-finished and finished plants. The company has more than 200 plant variety rights and plant patents under the Heuger name. Its motto is “No compromise in quality.” ThinkPlants will be helping the Heuger team in North America with the promotion of the HGC Ice N’ Roses Helleborus Series.

“Hellebore has long been one of my favorite perennials, so I am really excited to work with such an amazing Hellebore breeding company,” says Wiseman.

Companies also added to ThinkPlants in the past year include Linwell Gardens, DeVry Greenhouses and Monrovia. Other ThinkPlants group members include founders Danziger and Syngenta Flowers, along with Creekside Greenhouses, Green Circle Growers, Gulley Greenhouses, Headstart Nursery, James Greenhouses, Kapiteyn, Kieft Seed, Kiwiflora, Plants Management Australia, Royal Van Zanten, Terra Nova Nurseries and Unex Inc.

“ThinkPlants is now 20 members strong and growing,” says Wiseman. “We set out to build a portfolio of outstanding genetics, but we also knew a strong supply chain was equally important for perennial growers in North America. We continue to add a diversity of genetics in our drive to make a more consolidated process for our growers and retailers.

“The ThinkPlants team works very hard to gain exposure and sales for all the ThinkPlants participants, which combined with their expertise in plant breeding, horticulture, technical support, supply chain, production, sales and marketing, makes for a very strong partnership,” adds Wiseman. “It is the diverse plant knowledge of these companies working together, which creates such a powerful resource for the North American nursery industry.”

ThinkPlants will be at booth #2247 at Cultivate'24.