Cutting bushes

We cultivate the deciduous holly 'Ilex verticillata' on approximately 5 hectares of land in close proximity to our company. This remarkable berry shrub yields biennial branches adorned with an abundance of small red berries, varying in length.

During the initial year of growth, our shrubs strive to develop branches of optimal length, ranging from 40cm to 120cm. We pay special attention to maintaining their straight and sturdy form. Our secret lies in providing them with nutrient-rich soil teeming with beneficial soil organisms. This ensures a consistent and harmonious growth, resulting in the production of exquisite end products.

In the second year, our ilex branches sprout side shoots adorned with delicate flower buds. By mid-June, the branches burst into a splendid bloom. To facilitate pollination and berry formation, we collaborate with a beekeeper friend who places hives near our shrubs. Countless bees diligently pollinate the flowers, ensuring the development of abundant and vibrant berries.

Weed control on our farm is a carefully balanced approach, considering the impact on soil life, bees, and water quality. While we do employ some chemical methods, we do so judiciously. In addition, we prioritize manual weed control techniques such as hoeing and hand-picking weeds. We engage holiday workers and students to assist us in this essential task, ensuring a diligent and thorough approach to maintaining a weed-free environment.

In the latter half of September, once the berries have reached their vibrant red color, we begin harvesting the branches in the field, carefully collecting them on our farm. After a brief period of storage in a dark environment, the leaves naturally fall off, leaving behind the iconic ilex branches adorned with their luscious red berries. This meticulous process ensures that we deliver the highest quality branches to our customers.

Due to the variation in length and volume of the harvested branches, automation is limited in its application. Therefore, during the months of October to December, our dedicated team of staff takes on the important task of manually sorting the branches. They meticulously categorize them based on length and quality, distinguishing between straight and crooked branches, as well as assessing the berry occupation. This hands-on approach ensures that we maintain the highest standards of quality and deliver exceptional products to our valued customers.

Our corner Callicarpa shrub flowers subtly in late June, but its true highlight comes in autumn when it produces clusters of purple berries. After the berries turn purple and the leaves fall, we harvest and sort the branches based on length and berry occupation. What sets our sold Callicarpa branches apart is that we exclusively offer large, branched three-year-old branches, reaching up to 1.90 meters in length and boasting impressive volume.