New dianthus arrive at Southeast Flowers


Nick Wolfe, Eleanor Clevenger (David Austin Roses), Chris Wolfe, Jose Azout, and David Austin.


I tell you the passion amongst the growers is amazing and the care phenomenal... it’s a way of life and in their blood to the point that everything is hand graded, looked at individually so it is all far more personal and with a quality product that screams to be bought.


above sea level, perfect for fl ower growing without the need for man-made heat or light. In fact, like Cancun in Mexico, the area was specifi cally chosen for its location and suitability some 45 years ago by a British grower and founder of Asocolfl ores which this year celebrates its 40th anniversary. From those early days, and


the fi rst shipment into the UK some 35 years ago, Colombia has grown to become the second largest exporter in the world and acknowledged as growing some of the best fl owers you can buy. But while we at The Florist


have long raved about Colombian fl owers and quite happily pushed them as the best, it’s down to wholesalers like Chris and Nick Wolfe, who own Southeast Flowers in Ashford, Kent, to stock the range. Which is why, as part of their


initiative to develop greater market share, Proexport, the Colombian funded business development agency, sponsored a number of trips to Profl ora 2013, which received 1,600


18 F&wb Autumn/Winter 2013


international visitors from 60 countries, for buyers like Chris. “Without the support of


Proexport and the help of J&E Page, our main importer, I don’t think Nick and I would ever have visited the show. Now we already have Medellin in our diary simply because we’ve seen fi rst-hand how much of a diff erence it makes to see the country and the growers fi rst hand.” Because while Chris and Nick


had always been fi rm supporters of Colombian fl owers and indeed hosted two of the Colombian open days, by her own admission being ‘on the ground’ has transformed her opinion of the country and the potential it off ers her and her customers. Speaking 24 hours after her


return Chris told us: “Carrie, it was mind boggling and such an eye opener. Everything is done by hand and 27 donkeys but while that sounds parochial it’s actually wonderful. The care and attention to detail and the calmness at all the farms, even though they are handling thousands of stems a day, is just


amazing and seeing it fi rst-hand makes you want to do more. “I tell you the passion amongst


the growers is amazing and the care phenomenal. The Dutch are good but they are commodity sellers; in Colombia it’s a way of life and in their blood to the point that everything is hand graded, looked at individually so it is all far more personal and with a quality product that screams to be bought.” Visiting farms like Colibri, who


sell the well-respected Peacock range, and courtesy of owner Andres Tores, Chris and Nick had a chance to meet four of the people who had packed their boxes. “Each box from Colibri has a picture of the packer in it, I took them with me and asked Andres if we could meet them. It was so good and added a whole new level of personal service to the relationship”. And it’s one she’ll be echoing by sending pictures of her team unpacking them in Kent! She’ll also be supplying pictures and feedback from fl orists on a brand new dianthus Colibri are trialling that looks like a delicate Sweet William. “It’s about working together so we both succeed” said Chris. “If I can help the growers by feeding back market information then they have an ear to the ground here and I can be sure of sourcing the best and newest crops for my customers.” And the sustainability hit the button as well for Chris and Nick.


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