or over 35 years, Marginpar has been shaping the world of specialty cut flowers. What started as an adventurous idea in the 1980s grew into a unique international floriculture model rooted in collaboration, innovation and long-term thinking.
In this magazine article, we take you back to the early days, from the first cargo flights out of Zimbabwe to the development of year-round production in Kenya, Ethiopia and Tanzania. It is a story about daring choices, close partnerships with breeders and growers, and a clear focus on quality flowers for florists who want to stand out.
This article was originally published in our print magazine and is now available to read online below.
Scroll through the digital magazine to discover how Marginpar grew from a bold idea into a global specialist in unique cut flowers.
This article explores the history of Marginpar as a pioneer in summer flowers and specialty varieties, highlighting key moments such as the introduction of Hypericum and Eryngium in Africa, the development of cut Clematis, and the creation of the Marginpar partnership model. It also reflects on how sustainability, people empowerment and continuous innovation have become integral to the company’s way of working, from farm level to florist.
What this story means for you today
The journey shared in this article explains why we continue to focus on florists rather than mass volume. By investing early in alternative crops, long-term breeder relationships and production across multiple African climates, we built a portfolio that offers consistency, character and reliable quality throughout the year.
For florists, this translates into access to distinctive varieties, steady availability and flowers that are developed with vase life, handling and sustainability in mind. The same pioneering mindset that drove the first exports still shapes decisions today, from testing new species to investing in people, farms and responsible production methods.
Want to learn more about how this pioneering mindset translates into action today?
More on Marginpar
- Read how we invest in sustainable flower production and ESG practices.
- Discover how we work with breeders and partners to develop new varieties.
- Explore the people and communities behind our flowers.
Together, these stories show how our past continues to shape the future of specialty floriculture.
