The Haarlems Chimes is back on the scene. Grower Edwin talks about the special little plant.
Greatest hobby
Edwin Visser from Heemstede has been in the flower industry all his life. He did an agricultural study and has a full-time job in the field of bulbs and plants. For his work as a merchandiser, he makes visits to nurseries to see if he can use them for the coming years. Especially in the spring, he travels a lot for his work. For example, he visits American and Canadian companies.
Flowers are not only a big part of Edwin's work, but also of his free time. In fact, his greatest hobby is growing the Haarlems Bells: a special little plant that had almost disappeared and, thanks to Edwin, is able to survive.
Haarlem flower capital
In the 18th century, Haarlems Bells came to the Netherlands. Earlier, it was found in England. "Until the 1930s, Haarlem was known for bulbs. Haarlem was really the capital of flowers. Nowadays you can hardly imagine that. Rich families from England, for example, came to Haarlem to see and buy plants for their large country estates."
The Haarlem Chimes was popular with Haarlem plant traders. "Where the name Haarlems Klokkenspel comes from has never been proven, but presumably it is because most of the trading and growing of the plant took place in and around Haarlem." The plant was common in country estates, such as the Haarlemmerhout and Beeckestijn. Due to its vulnerability, the plant has slowly disappeared.
Vulnerable
"The little plant has disappeared because people are digging it out. But also because it is overgrown by other plants, such as brambles and nettles. The other plants take away the light. The Haarlems Chimes is a rare plant for a reason." Edwin came across the plants at Huis te Manpad in Heemstede and wanted them. However, they were not for sale anywhere. Edwin got bulbs through the grapevine. He wanted to see if he could grow the plant himself. Edwin has been propagating the plants for about 20 years. "It takes a lot of time. Only since 5 years I have enough of them to actually sell them."
The fact that the Haarlems Chimes is so fragile also makes it difficult to grow. "It is a plant that has many requirements. It should not be too sunny and it likes to grow at the foot of a tree. Growing it is also more difficult, because the plant gets overgrown quickly." Edwin doesn't mind that the little plant doesn't multiply quickly. "I enjoy doing it and fortunately don't have to make a living from it."
Lover
In May, Edwin's large backyard turns white with the blooming of the Haarlem Chimes. Edwin dries the bulbs from the plants in the shed attached to his house. "My wife Daniella peels the bulbs starting in June. That's actually where the most time is spent. Growing this little plant is really hand work. Big growers work by machine, but you can't do that with the Haarlem Bells. The little plant needs a lot of attention. It has to be done by a real enthusiast."
Buy Haarlem Chimes
Want to buy the Haarlems Chimes? It is for sale annually from February to May at VVV Haarlem, Grote Markt 2.
