Plant World acquires Magic Colours leaf begonias from Hoefnagels

LENT, Netherlands: Dutch-based plant nursery Plant World has acquired the genetics and plant variety rights of leaf Begonia grower Antoon Hoefnagels from Lent, the Netherlands. The acquisition of Hoefnagels’ genetics is Plant World’s third investment in ornamental horticulture following the acquistion of Van der Arend Tropical Plant Center and JoGrow, a third generation grower of tropical foliage and a range of garden Hydrangeas.

Husband and wife team Antoon and Ans Hoefnagels founded plant production, breeding and propagation company Hoefnagels in 1984. By doing so the couple plunged into a plant category that was not saturated and rare.

Today, they operate from a 8,800m2 site in Lent, near Nijmegen and increased business recognition in the market by growing Magic Colours and Botanica, two unique series featuring fancy coloured leaf begonias and specimen begonias with bullated leaves and ruffled leaves respectively.

Antoon Hoefnagels, founder and owner of plant nursery Hoefnagels says, “We are very pleased to become part of the Plant World family. We have focused since 1984 on being a trusted and reliable partner to the buyers of our beloved leaf begonias. We are confident this will continue under Plant World’s ownership, which will offer new growth opportunities for Magic Colours.”

Antoon Hoefnagels, a walking encyclopedia of leaf begonias, will continue to offer guidance to ensure a smooth transition of the Magic Colours varieties in Plant World’s growing product portfolio.

Plant World grows a range of PBR-protected (sub) tropical plants, hardy Trachycarpus palm trees and Hydrangeas. The company operates from sites in the Netherlands and abroad. Last year, Synergia Capital Partners, a Netherlands-based private equity firm catalysed the growth of the business by acquiring an undisclosed minority stake in Plant World.