The Van Wingerden Family: Shaping American Horticulture
Arie & Christopher Van Wingerden, son and grandson of Aart and Cornelia Van Wingerden
Generations of Growers
The Van Wingerden family has a rich and influential history in horticulture, especially in the United States, with deep roots tracing back to the Netherlands.
Origins in the Netherlands
The Van Wingerden family originally hailed from the Netherlands, a country known for its horticultural innovations and floriculture industry. Many Van Wingerdens were growers there, often specializing in cut flowers and greenhouse production.
Immigration to the U.S.
After World War II, several members of the Van Wingerden family immigrated to the United States. Among the most well-known is Aart Van Wingerden (Christopher’s grandpa) who moved to New Jersey in the 1940s and played a key role in establishing modern greenhouse production methods in the U.S.
Horticultural Legacy in the U.S.
The Van Wingerden family's roots go back to Ridderkerk, a small village in the Netherlands. Leendert Van Wingerden was born there in 1892. He grew up farming and later married Apolonia, the daughter of a flax grower. They settled on a little plot of land called de Punt and raised eleven children. Their oldest, Aart, shared Leendert’s love of growing and worked alongside him from a young age.
Leendert and Aart were always trying new things. They used manure-lined cold frames to start early transplants, soil blocks (called perspotten), and paid close attention to which varieties grew best. For many years, their family produced a wide variety of vegetables.
When the Netherlands was occupied during World War II, life became extremely difficult. The Van Wingerden’s kept farming through blackouts, food shortages, and fear, doing what they could to help feed their neighbors.
In 1943, Aart married Cornelia Huizer. Their first son, Leonard, was born in 1944. Aart continued farming near their cottage, de Hut, and built a small greenhouse to grow Belgian endive (witloof).
In 1948, after the war, Aart and Cornelia came to the United States with three sons and six dollars. They started over in New Jersey, using the skills Aart had learned back home. He built cold-frame greenhouses and improved his transplant methods. By 1955, he had started growing flowering plants.
It wasn’t easy, but Aart and Cornelia built a life, raised sixteen kids, and turned their passion for plants into something lasting. One of those 16 kids was Arie, Christopher’s dad.
Aart was always innovating. He helped shape the industry with new ideas like double poly greenhouses, plastic flats and packs, automated systems, and even fall crops of greenhouse tomatoes.
Today, more than 30 plant businesses across the U.S. trace their roots back to this one family. The Van Wingerden name is still tied to quality, innovation, and a deep love of growing.
Source: https://growerdirectfarms.com/our-history
Family Values and Innovation
The Van Wingerden’s are known not just for scale, but for:
Pioneering modern greenhouse techniques
Emphasizing family-run businesses
Integrating sustainability practices
Training future generations of growers
There are now dozens of greenhouse businesses across the U.S. run by Van Wingerden family members, and many of them collaborate or share resources. Their legacy continues with the next generation taking on leadership roles and continuing to shape the North American horticultural landscape.
The Van Wingerden family has established a significant presence in the horticultural industry, founding numerous businesses across the United States. Here are several notable enterprises associated with the family:
Huntersville, NC
Founded in 1972 by Tom and Vickie Van Wingerden, Metrolina has grown into one of the largest greenhouse operations in the U.S., spanning over 200 acres of greenhouses and nearly 200 acres of outdoor growing space.
Van Wingerden Greenhouse Company
Mills River, NC
Established in 1972 by Aart Van Wingerden, this company specializes in designing and manufacturing custom greenhouse structures for the horticulture industry.
Blaine, WA
Operating since the 1980s, this family-owned business offers a wide range of plants, including annuals, perennials, and tropicals, serving the Pacific Northwest region.
Stuarts Draft, VA
Founded by Jason and Frank Paul, this company focuses on producing high-quality houseplants with robust genetics, partnering with top plant breeders.
Pompton Plains, NJ
A small family-owned business operating for over 50 years, offering a variety of annuals, perennials, and vegetable plants to wholesale customers.
Mills River, NC
A wholesale greenhouse providing a variety of plants to retailers throughout the region.
Colorado Springs, CO
A boutique houseplant shop offering thoughtfully curated greenery, unique home goods, and vibrant community events.
The Family That Grew America’s Flowers
The Van Wingerden story is one of deep roots, hard work, and steady growth. From a small village in the Netherlands to greenhouse operations across the United States, this family has shaped the horticulture industry in meaningful and lasting ways.
What began as a way to support a family and feed a community has become a legacy carried on by new generations. The greenhouses have grown and the tools have changed, but the heart behind it all remains the same.
