Our role in the rose world
We are rose ambassadors. You can find us on garden fairs at growers' associations, trade fairs, international rose competitions and conferences, or just here in our garden (+2000 m²) where we happily organise guided tours, workshops and pruning lessons for all who is interested.
Healthy plants
We grow over 800 garden roses; these plants are versatile in use and come into their own with no fuss. During breeding we make as much use of natural processes as possible, in order to obtain vital plants in balance with their environment.
New creations
It is a rewarding challenge to develop new roses. This is a fascinating world where art and science come together. The search for resilient plants with original colours and shapes never stops.
Sustainable Cultivation
In order to grow sustainably we use raw materials wisely. The soil is treated respectfully because everything starts there. Cultivation protection products are applied in a responsible manner. By collecting, storing, and recycling (water used for our plants) we make maximum use of rainwater. Our energy is generated with solar panels. In the conservatory we rely on natural enemies to keep life in balance.
Tailored advice
We know our plants. This is why we are happy to give you advice on your design, installation, or project. We want to see the right plant in the right place, because that benefits everyone.
History
The 'Louis Lens Tree Nursery', a firm with a long tradition was founded in 1870. In its initial phase, it was a general tree nursery, but rose cultivation soon took over. For three generations the nursery was run by the Lens family and was located in Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Waver (near Mechelen). In 1992 she was taken over by Rudy and Ann Velle-Boudolf, and moved to Oudenburg (between Bruges and Ostend).Our assortment of roses includes more than 800 different species; from elegant old shrub roses to climbing roses, liana roses, ground-covering roses, musk hybrid roses, English (austin) roses, botanical roses, hybrid teas, cluster roses, and standard tree roses... In short, the most valuable garden roses.
In the rose nurseries you will find a garden of more than 2000 m² and several border roses. In the spring (April) the orangery is blooming beautifully, and features several rare liana and climbing roses. A container field with roses in pots, gives you the opportunity to choose from a wide range of options during the summer months and then plant them in your garden. From mid-November to mid-April bare roots roses can be picked up or delivered.
An important activity for us is searching for new rose varieties. In the last few years, attention has been focused on musk hybrids, a group of re-flowering healthy shrub roses with a natural character, such as:
Poppy Rose ®, Beauregard ®, Miss Fine ®, Guirlande Rose ®, Wilderode, Snow Star ®, Dinky ®, Jean Stephenne ®, Laurent Nicolas, Pink Magic...
Your guarantee of origin and authenticity is our label: Lens Roses ®.
During the spring and autumn you can meet us on the following plant days: Beervelde, Bingerden (NL), Celles, Hex, Kalmthout, Lasne, Chaalis (FR), Hesperange (NL). We also host annual pruning courses (March) and guided walks among the blooming roses (June).
We hope you enjoy browsing through this website and we look forward to welcoming you,
Rudy and Ann Velle-Boudolf, Antje Cochuyt, Sébastien Declercq, Dimitri Schaut, Josha Pylyser, Katrien Dedeyne, Wouter Velle and Wim Van Wassenhove