...History...

1959 - The Belgian Story Begins!

Maurice (age 54) and Mary Lombaert (age 54) with son Luc (age 8) purchase 3 acres of farmland, a house and a barn...

The 1960s: Let's Get Growing!

• Field-grown pansies, perennials, garden mums and gladiolas are sold at the old Kitchener Waterloo Farmers' Market.

• One small coal-heated greenhouse expands to three glass greenhouses and six wood-framed fiberglass greenhouses for growing annuals.

• Over two acres of field-grown perennials with a slat woodhouse for shrubs and trees.
  

The 1970s: Perfect Place for Plant People

• Annuals, perennials, garden mums and poinsettias are the main crops.

  More glass greenhouses are built, including the Tropical House (finished in 1976).

• Ten acres of land are purchased beside the nursery for parking, etc.

• 1975 Discontinue the sale of trees and shrubs. Start selling fresh flowers for weddings and funerals.

• New poinsettia varieties introduced - the coloured bracts stay on for months whereas the old varieties only lasted six to eight days.

  This decade sees the family expand with the marriage of Luc and Rosie, followed by the births of their daughters, Rosemary and Julie.
  
  

The 1980s: The Great Greenhouse Experience

• A decade of tearing down and rebuilding to be more energy-efficient and convenient for retail shopping.

• 1983 to 1984 sees six wood-frame greenhouses torn down, greenhouses #7 to #19 rebuilt, and the addition of open-concept poly greenhouses (one acre) with full access for customers.

• 1987 Luc and Rosie move their house so the Main Store can be built, which was finished in 1988, creating even more convenience for retail shopping.
  
  

The 1990s: Plants and People Need Each Other

• New varieties of annuals, perennials, garden mums and poinsettias are added, offering a larger selection for customers.

  This decade saw many changes as Belgian Nursery begins specializing and creating new plant growing methods.

• The pond is installed along with a multitude of display areas, giving customers of all ages a relaxing and enjoyable shopping experience.

• 1993 Renovations are made for the Cactus House, a 5,400 square-foot greenhouse dedicated to cacti and succulents.

• 1994 to 1995 The old slat Perennial House is torn down and replaced by a more modern poly house with roll-up walls, creating a completely covered (yet still open-air!) shopping environment for any and all perennial needs.

• 1996 Discontinuation of fresh wedding and funeral flower arrangements.

• 1998 Part of the Tropical House is renovated and repurposed for The Pot Shop, housing a large selection of decorative pots.

• The family expands again! Rosemary and Julie officially join the family business full-time, and the fourth generation begins with the arrival of Ashley.

  This decade also sees its share of sorrow, as Belgian mourns the loss of its founders "Pa" Maurice (1995, age 90) and "Ma" Mary (1999, age 93). They worked long and hard to bring Belgian to where it is today, and their accomplishments continue to this day.
  
  

The 2000s: A Flower World of Beautiful Plants for People

• Decade of reinvention! We discontinue growing our own poinsettias, introduce a select assortment of shrubs, source mature perennials from local suppliers (in addition to those we grow ourselves) and increase the number of mixed annual baskets and planters, which we still grow ourselves.

  Continuing to grow and provide plants in an atmosphere of beauty and peace, in an indoor environment for everyone's enjoyment.

• 2003 The Perennial Center layout is improved.

• 2004 Hoop Houses are rebuilt for improved heat efficiency, thus growing happy and healthy perennials and annual baskets. 

• 2005 to 2007 Select varieties of shrubs are added to the Perennial Center and outdoor display areas, giving customers even more selection for garden accents and foundation planting.

• 2007 The practice of growing our own poinsettias is discontinued, though we continue to sell locally-grown poinsettias from trusted suppliers. The Christmas Magic Celebration rings in the holiday season with the addition of artificial trees and 1,000s of decorations to the Main Store and greenhouses.

• The family keeps growing! Trevor, Conall and Tegan join the fourth generation.
  
  

The 2010s: Plants and People: Together We Grow!

• 2013 Our website is redesigned to include information on all our plants and products, including care and tips for annuals, houseplants, perennials, hardy vines, shrubs, herbs, vegetables and more!

  Our e-newsletter and Facebook page are made available to customers, keeping everyone up-to-date on sales, events and seasonal information.

  2014 Two boilers are replaced with new energy-efficient models.

  2015 and Forward: We continue growing and supplying phenomenal annuals, annual baskets and planters, perennials, tropicals, cacti, vines and select shrubs. We also continue to offer an array of garden products and gift items while providing a warm, joyful place for customers and staff.

A Message from Luc & Rosie
As the directors of Belgian Nursery, our goal is to provide a setting that all can enjoy while shopping for plants, garden supplies and decor. We are honoured that our children are involved and are part of Belgian Nursery. We are the caretakers for the next generations; what we do now both changes and creates the future. We will become the ancestors for our future great, great grandchildren. Let's make them proud!