About us
A rich history
Lily Company BV has been the specialist in breeding, development, cultivation and export of garden lilies for more than 60 years. The company was founded by Piet Groot. Piet Groot was born on April 6, 1943, and started his business at the age of 18 with the cultivation of one of the first hybrid lilies called Citronella. In 2009, the company was taken over by Jan Willem Metzelaar, Paul van Egdom and cousins Edward and Evert Bot (from Gebr. Bot BV). Since then, daily management has been carried out by Jan Willem Metzelaar (breeding, cultivation and logistics) and Paul van Egdom (purchasing and sales).
In 2023, a change in shareholding took place. Evert and Edward Bot stepped down. Rick Metzelaar and Giel Visser joined the company's management as new shareholders, joining Jan-Willem Metzelaar and Paul van Egdom. Jan-Willem and Rick are responsible for breeding, cultivation and logistics, while Paul and Giel focus on purchasing and sales.
Our assortment: more than 150 unique lily varieties
Lily Company B.V. offers a wide assortment of over 150 garden lily varieties. The range includes strong traditional species originating from Asia and North America, such as Lilium Regale, as well as the newest in-house bred F1, F2, and F3 hybrids in extraordinary colors and forms – including double-flowered Oriental lilies from the 'Lotus' series, pollen-free lilies, and orchid-shaped Martagon lilies with small, hanging blooms.
Our lilies are grown in the Netherlands in the most sustainable way possible and, after processing, are exported all over the world for use in private gardens and public parks by both individuals and companies.
In May, during the “Lily Days” at Keukenhof, the public can get a glimpse of the Lily Company assortment. For business relations, it is possible to view our full range in our show greenhouse during the Dutch Lily Days in June. For more information, please visit: www.dutchlilydays.nl
The management of Lily Company
Lily Company is led by a close-knit team of four people with years of experience in the sector. Each team member has their own responsibilities within the company, from cultivation and production to sales and operations. Together, they ensure that everything runs smoothly, both locally and internationally.
Paul van Egdom
Paul has been involved in lily cultivation since his youth. He has worked in lily production both in the Netherlands and abroad. Since 2009, as a member of the management team of Lily Company, he has been responsible for the purchasing and sales of lilies. Over the years, many steps have already been taken to make cultivation and trade more sustainable, but there is still much more that can be done. He gladly embraces that challenge for the future together with the rest of the management team.
Giel Visser
Giel is Lily Company’s sales specialist. He travels the world to visit customers, build relationships, and give clear and honest advice. Selling is truly his passion, and he does it with enthusiasm and dedication.
Jan Willem Metzelaar
Jan Willem has been with Lily Company for many years. He started back in the 1980s as an employee at Piet Groot’s company, the original Lily Company. With all the experience he gained, he later took over the business together with Paul. If you have questions about cultivation, diseases, or viruses, Jan Willem is your go-to expert – he knows nearly everything!
Rick Metzelaar
Rick supports the company across all areas. Whether it's helping customers or managing teams – he's always hands-on. He regularly visits the fields to monitor quality and help decide which varieties to continue with. Thanks to his language skills, Rick also communicates well with our Polish workers, creating a safe and open environment where everyone feels heard.
