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Belgian Nursery |
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the flower world |
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“After 38 years it had better be fun ... and it is!”
Rosie exclaims. |
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The joy of her words is reflected in her face and in
the spirit that permeates this space. Belgian Nursery is
a happy place ... and beautiful. |
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When I arrived, Rosie suggested we relax in the
Cactus Room to talk about the passion her family has
for Belgian Nursery; a thriving business that began as
a small enterprise in 1959 growing flowers for market.
Luc’s parents had a vision that, three generations later,
has become much more than they envisaged. If you’ve
been in the Cactus Room you likely took the time to
absorb the quiet energy that seems to envelop you
as you contemplate the collective beauty of so many
varieties of cacti. Through a doorway are the vast
greenhouses full of hundreds of thousands of annuals
grown right here. At the opposite end, you’ll find the
pot shop with an attractive selection of containers
of many sizes, the perennial centre full of interesting
feature plants and the store to round out your garden
project. |
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Your choice |
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Belgian Nursery has attitude; a solid, positive
one that’s a common thread connecting Luc and
Rosie and their daughters, Rosemary and Julie, and
everyone who works here. It’s based on a firm belief
that plants and people need each other. Customers are
encouraged to browse to find their own connection;
some particular plant that appeals to them. |
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There is something here for everyone to enjoy.
Perhaps a full summer flowering plant that brings
you back to nature to counter the all-consuming
technology advances that draw us away from enjoying
each moment. Or a simple tomato plant that gives you
the pleasure of claiming, “I grew that.” As Luc says,
“We all have a natural craving for a bond with earth
and with nature. Often we don’t recognize it, however,
until we find that special plant and take it home to
just the right spot in our yard. It’s not unusual for
that selection to be influenced by the past; maybe a
peony like Grandma used to have in her front yard,
or a massive hanging petunia that somehow you’d
forgotten about while rushing through life.“ |
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A destination |
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Many people come here for the adventure,
driving from near and distant parts of Ontario to
this amazing ‘flower world’, focused on growing and
offering specialized, unique indoor and outdoor
plants. “We invite everyone to visit,” says Rosie. “Even
the non-plant people drop in to enjoy our pond. It’s a
good place to just sit and read, like the cactus house;
calm and inviting.” |
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After more than 50 years of growth and evolution
from simple flowers in a field to large greenhouses
with full environmental controls, Belgian Nursery
has reached a point where Rosie and Luc can leave a
legacy for their family that encourages and respects a
healthy balance in their lives. This business requires
physical and organizational talent as demands shift
with the seasons and with unexpected bits of life that
seem to guide all our lives. Everyone works hard here
but they enjoy it and never forget Rosie’s adage, “The
key is to do what you do well, and to enjoy it.” |
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At Belgian Nursery they clearly do ... and they see
the results in the smiling faces of their customers. |
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