Arguably one of the most important sources of heirloom/OP plant varieties now in central Europe is Frank Van Keirsbilck from Belgium. He’s supplied plant materials to Real Seeds in the UK and other seed companies, seed exchange organizations as well as many individual gardeners. He has some of the most interesting plants available.
I asked him for some things a little while ago, and he suggested maybe I could trade him something in return. After a brief discussion, it was clear the most interesting things I had in my garden had come from him via other people anyway, so I had nothing to offer. He’s done an amazing job of spreading his plants around. If you ever have the priviledge of visiting him you’ll find walking through his garden an eye opening experience.
If you live in northern or central Europe and you’re growing something a little obscure, the chance are very good it’s from his garden. Many of his plants have even made it to North America by now.
Until now when I’ve posted about something from him, all I could do was say it came from my friend Frank in Belgium. Now he has his own website, with pictures and descriptions of many things he’s growing, so I can link to him! For some of his plants he has seeds and tubers available. Send him an email if you’re interested.
Frank’s collection of edibles is certainly impressive. He doesn’t live in Central Europe though. Belgium is a long way west of what is called Central Europe.
Hi Ray, it’s really nice to see you here as well as chatting with you on the HG forum!
Yes, you’re right. I suppose Belgium is western Europe (or is this ‘Old Europe’?).
I guess what I was thinking when I wrote this was north/south and not east/west. Belgium is often identified as the point where slower paced southern Europe meets and often clashes with the faster paced north.
Nowadays since Europe seems to be moving further east, I’m not really sure where central Europe is anymore.
Iowa, USA I myself have traded with Frank and he is a very nice fellow.
Dean
I had the privelige to meet him this last weekend.
I had some kind of image in my head what he would look like, it was completely different from what I saw, a guy with long blond hair, an ordinairy and very modest guy.
He and his wife/girlfriend are two very nice people,I almost forgot what the purpose was of my visit: Seeing Mauka plants growing in Belgium.
I gave him some Perideridia Montana(yampah) plants, which did almost not survive the week trip in the Vogses. I was very proud to give him something he didn’t have, because he has an awful lot of curious plants.