"I am a florist with dirty fingernails'"

Highly experienced - that is certainly a label that suits florist Han Meerhoff well. He has had his own shop for over 35 years, and he has also gained knowledge through various administrative positions. Han knows better than anyone the problems that confront his fellow florists. He has an answer to everything, apart from the question of where he gets his inspiration. "I wonder that too sometimes. But it just hits you - like falling in love. You don’t do it, it just comes upon you." Han (born 1948) was educated at the Horticultural College in Aalsmeer, and worked for two employers over eight years before setting up on his own. He combines working in the shop with administrative positions at organisations including Fleurop and the sector organisation VBW and with demonstrations and training courses abroad. He particularly works in the Scandinavian countries, Italy, and Central and Eastern Europe.

Everyday practice

Alongside English and German, Han particularly speaks the language of florists. "I always have dirty fingernails," he says proudly. He thereby indicates that he is averse to 'ivory towers', and has stayed close to everyday practice. His daily contact with customers in the shop guarantees a pragmatic approach. "At a show in the Czech Republic I will not indulge myself in a € 100 flower arrangement, since you simply would not be able to sell something like that there." He favours all flowers equally. Amongst plants he prefers varieties with an unusual style of growth. The more freakish and fantastical, the better. "A plant needs to generate questions in me and look appealing straightaway through its shape." From market stalls to wholesalers and retail chains. Over the years Han has carried out a variety of assignments. He still clearly remembers his most special - and at the same time most beautiful - assignment, which took place in 2006. That was the highly colourful floral work that he created for his mother’s cremation. A very colourful woman, she lived to over 90 and attended a Queen concert when she was 80.

On the bike

Han always immerses himself in the local culture on his many trips. Hence he will attend the opera in one place, and an ice hockey match in another. And where possible, he takes his motorbike with him in his van (he has also been known to send the 1000 cc Yamaha along on an exporter’s truck filled with flowers). "Instead of slumping in front of the TV in my hotel room after a show or finding a bar, I head off on the bike."