As a family run business our roots and values show our clients how we can extend the very best experience and makes every guest feel at home in the garden.
OUR HISTORY
The founders of Van Dongens Landscaping & Nurseries Limited were born in a small town called Dongen in southern Holland. Michael was born in the year 1920 and Petronella was born in 1922. In February of 1953 the two of them immigrated to Canada with their two daughters Helen and Suzanne. Soon after emigrating, they had their only son Adrian and they purchased their first nursery on Dundas Street near Dixie Road in Mississauga.
With Michael and Petronella’s knowledge of horticulture, business savvy and devoted work ethic, what began as a small lawn care business soon became a complete garden centre, selling everything from trees and shrubs to fountains and interlocking. Several other nurseries were purchased in Newcastle, Caledon, Oakville, and two in Milton to supply the garden centre and the expanding landscape department.
Adrian and his wife Agnes took over the Mississauga location in 1981, while Michael and Petronella moved to the Trafalgar Road location. In 1987, the garden centre in Mississauga was uprooted and moved to the Trafalgar Road location as the Mississauga site was sold for development.
In 1999, Michael and Petronella celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in the nearly completed facility on Trafalgar Road in Milton, soon after which they both passed away. Their legacy lives on as they were instrumental in breaking ground on an impressive facility that was on its way to becoming the destination garden centre it is today.
Over the next decade, Van Dongen’s expanded with a bigger team of professionals that would change the garden centre into an outdoor living centre. We have increased our number of varieties of plants and trees, introduced many new lines of furniture, indoor and outdoor decorations, garden accents, and services offered.
In 2003, Van Dongen’s acquired www.vandongens.com, and launched our first website. This was the first site in the industry that featured a full online catalogue where clients could read about our array of plants and products, see photos and prices, and even place orders online. This was to set the tone of what Van Dongen’s wants to offer our clients as we move into the future.
Three years later, the 3rd generation began their full time career when Michael Van Dongen joined the team. As the garden centre continues to evolve towards the future we have ensured that the philosophy of our founders is ever-present in all that we do. We will work as hard as we can to provide our clients with genuine client service, the very best in plants and products, and building on-going, authentic relationships with our clients.
In 2012, we are becoming a destination Garden Centre by opening up many family attractions. We are also pairing with the community by making all of these attractions donation based, where the proceeds will go to the United Way and the Ontario Chapter of the Breast Cancer Foundation. Two organizations that remain close to the Van Dongen family.
We look forward to helping you through the progression to creating your unique garden, and offering you our excellent nursery stock from our farm into your outdoor living space From Our Garden To Yours, we welcome you.
OUR EXCELLENCE
"At Van Dongen's our philosophy is simple. Provide genuine service, superior products, and lasting relationships with our clients – and we’ll prove it! After all, we have been proving this philosophy as a strong family business since 1953!" - Michael Van Dongen
Let us show you how we live this philosophy with all that we do! We are dedicated to helping you every step of the way to create the distinguished garden which is sure to draw your family and friends to your outdoor living space.
QUALITY PRODUCT
- As a grower we set the standards
- Garden Club members get an extended 5-Year Warranty | Industries Longest Warranty
- Grown in Canada
AUTHENTIC RELATIONSHIPS
- Our Clients have access to our exclusive online purchase history system | Tips on pruning, plant care for your unique plants
- Purchases come with benefits – Loyalty dollars or complimentary Myke Tree and Shrub root stabilizer
- E-mail newsletters – Letters sending you timely tips for your plants and purchases
- Exclusive deals and discounts
- Fertilizing program – When the times right, we’ll send you a reminder to pick up your complimentary fertilizer
GENUINE CLIENT SERVICE
- Complementary Design Service in Store
- Comprehensive Online Industry Catalogue
- Help straight from the professionals | In-store and online
- “Do-It-Yourself” Videos
- Help along the way – We will always lend a hand or help load your vehicle
- Explore online how our team at Van Dongen's is dedicated to providing you with unmatched services, quality, and customer care. Or better yet, drop by the store to discuss your goals with us in person!
OUR FARMS
We have come a long way since our original farm in Cooksville – known for its apple orchards.
TRAFALGAR FARM:
Our main commercial location is located at the southwest corner of Trafalgar Road and Derry Road in Hornby (Milton) Ontario. While we have owned and operated this farm for over 30 years, our commercial operations have been based exclusively out of this location since 1987. This farm boasts an over 20,000 square foot Garden Centre, even larger outdoor plant area, landscape department and yard, and over 50 acres of nursery and tree farm.
5TH LINE:
Our newest acquisition! Purchase of this farm just north of Milton in 2011 brings our count to three farms in Halton Region. We are currently in the process of preparing this farm for planting and expect that it will begin to yield product as early as the 2014 growing season. This property also features a pond a creek and, due to its natural elevation, provides a breath-taking sunset view of the Niagara Escarpment.
NEWCASTLE:
Located on the east end of Toronto, this farm is known for its evergreens and native trees. At its highest point, it provides unencumbered views of Lake Ontario and neighbouring towns.
8TH LINE:
This farm is one road over from our main location; providing quick and easy access to a plethora of larger trees. Nestled in a pocket of land which naturally hosts an ideal mix of sand and clay, this farm produces magnificent and majestic specimens. Although this farm is unstaffed, we often bring clients to this location for a broader selection. This farm is accented by a small pond, creek, and backs onto the beautiful wetlands that divide Halton and Peel Regions.
CALEDON:
This is one of our larger farms which has been with us for many years. This farm has recently undergone an overhaul to accommodate a different style of growing which will allow us to provide a wider range of tree, evergreen, and shrub sizes. This farm is beautifully framed by a creek on one end and the Caledon Trail Way Path on the other.
ASSOCIATED FARM – NEWMARKET:
Situated near the Holland Landing, this farm is owned and operated by extended family. We access this farm which has some of Ontario's most fertile soil conditions, to provide anything from potted shrubs to Christmas trees.