About us
Designers,
growers and gardeners
Seven people who love gardens, with a drawing table, a nursery and our own crew. On the edge of Voorbeeldstad since 2009.
In 2009 Groen Genoegen was still a perennial nursery. Paulien Altena grew plants, but noticed customers mostly asked: where should I put this? So she started drawing.
Now seven people work here. Two designers, a grower and four gardeners. We do everything ourselves, from the first pencil line to the last planting hole in the border. That's slower than a garden from a catalogue, but you get a garden that suits your house and gets better every year.
“A garden is the only room that seems bigger every year.”Paulien Altena
We prefer plants that grow well here naturally and materials that weather beautifully: natural stone, oak, gravel. No artificial grass, no plastic border edging. A garden should soften the heat and soak up rainwater.
Our designers belong to the NVTL, the Dutch association of garden and landscape architects. As a landscaping firm we are members of Branchevereniging VHG.
The nursery
On 1,400 m² we grow the perennials and grasses for our gardens. On Saturdays from 09:00 to 15:00 the gate is open. Bring photos of your garden: we'll pick out plants on the spot.
- 612gardens drawn since 2009
- 1,400 m²own nursery
- 230perennial species in stock
Who you'll meet
Next to each name, the plant they love most.
Paulien Altena
garden designer, founderHas been designing gardens in Voorbeeldstad since 2009. Starts every design with a cup of coffee at your kitchen table.
favourite plant Sanguisorba ‘Tanna’Reinout Frijns
garden designerStudied garden and landscape design. Makes the 3D images and checks every budget twice.
favourite plant Hakonechloa macraBregje Beukers
growerRuns the nursery and gathers the plants for every planting plan. Knows them all by name.
favourite plant Anemone ‘Honorine Jobert’Ilja Hoogkamp
gardener, site leadLeads the builds. Questions on site? You go to him. Lays natural stone as if it were a puzzle.
favourite plant Fagus sylvaticaAnouk, Minke and Lieve
gardenersPave, build, plant and come back each season for maintenance.
favourite plant Molinia caerulea
Come andvisit on a Saturday.
A consultation at your home takes an hour and a half and costs €145. Afterwards you have a first sketch and our notes. If you then go for a design, we deduct the amount.