Collector | Painter | Author
My name is Wim Granneman and I live in the middle of the Dutch Flower Bulb Region (in Dutch: De Bollenstreek), the old area in the west of Holland (Netherlands) between Haarlem and Leiden. In this area flower bulbs have been grown for centuries. Just south of us is the famous flower bulb park Keukenhof, were in spring millions of bulbs are in flower.
I grew up amidst all these flower bulbs. My father grew tulips, daffodils and Fritillarias and together with my wife Caroline we cultivated for many years all kind of lesser-known and rare flower bulbs. Most of these have gone now and I restrict myself to a collection of snowdrops (Galanthus). Now, I’m retired and enjoying my life as a collector, painter and author.
collector of hyacinth and bulb vases
I have always been fascinated by flower bulbs. As a private consultant for flower bulb growers and forcers, both in Holland and abroad, I’ve been visiting growers, giving lectures, and writing publications. I took great interest in the different aspects of the long history of flower bulb culture and trade, and collecting hyacinth vases was one of them.
Many decades ago, I discovered the beauty of hyacinth vases. Over the years, I have built a considerable collection, acquiring pieces through purchase, exchange, and occasional sales. Many vases were on exhibitions, including museums. The collection includes many spare vases, ranging from very simple items to rare and exclusive pieces. My collection is now available for sale as a whole, or in sets.
Painter of flower bulb fields
In addition to collecting hyacinth vases, I am also a devoted painter of landscapes, especially the colourful flower bulb fields around my hometown of Hillegom. The beautifully blooming bulb fields enchant me again and again. Over the years, my paintings have been exhibited at art fairs, galleries and museums.
While a selection of my paintings can be found at Bruning Heintz Fine Art, there are also unique, handmade pieces for sale through this website. If you have specific requests, would like more information, or wish to see a painting in person, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
author of historical books
Throughout my life, I have been interested by the history of bulb cultivation and everything connected with it. From catalogues to historical works, not many books on the subject did escape my attention. I immersed myself in the stories surrounding the bulb industry, always eager to learn more and understand the context in which it evolved.
I discovered a particular joy in exploring this history and sharing it with others. This passion led to the creation of two books: Winterrust in het Oosteinde (2023) and De Zanderij van Six (2025). Both books are available through this website for anyone interested in the fascinating history of bulb cultivation.
