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Our History
A Family Business
“A family story, a farm that continues to evolve and adapt.”
1905
A Farm with an Agricultural Heritage
In 1905, Maurice Bourdillon, my great-great-grandfather, purchased around fifty hectares near Soings-en-Sologne, in a place known as “Champagne”, from a local landowner.
The property consisted of wet, clay-rich and sandy soils that were particularly well suited to certain crops. He notably developed the cultivation of rye and asparagus.
1930
The Need to Improve the Soil
Around 1930, his son Alcide took over the family property. He undertook an extensive ceramic drainage project, which was essential to make the most of these contrasting soils.
Farming here meant first and foremost managing water: draining excess water from the clay soils while ensuring that the sandy plots were properly irrigated.
Thanks to these ambitious improvements, he was able to develop vineyards, plant apple trees and expand asparagus production.
1960
A Period of Transition
In the 1960s, Michel, Alcide’s only son, was naturally destined to take over the family farm.
A bold decision was then made for a farm in the Sologne region: to dig a pond that would collect drainage water and provide irrigation for the crops.
The farm diversified into seed corn, bulbs, strawberries and more, but production costs gradually began to rise.
One question became increasingly obvious: why not follow his true passions—horticulture and photography—by devoting himself to growing irises and daylilies?
In 1964, Michel ordered his first iris varieties from the United States—from Schreiner’s and Cooley’s—as well as from Cayeux in France. He began propagating them, laying the foundations for a new direction for the farm.
The Family Garden Became a Production Field
In 1969, these new crops quickly expanded, bringing a new organisation, an initial catalogue containing 100 varieties and the first customers. Michel and Geneviève joined the French Iris Society in 1971.
At the same time, they continued to grow seed corn, which was later replaced by grain corn. As asparagus yields declined, its cultivation was eventually discontinued.
1987
A Contagious Passion for Plants
In 1987, their sons Pascal and Luc joined their parents in the business. The annual catalogue was expanded with new American and Australian varieties. The company became more structured with the purchase of a warehouse, a cold-storage unit and new equipment.
Around 1990, collections of new plants—including peonies, poppies and delphiniums—were introduced. Some of them are still grown today.
In 1996, Geneviève Bourdillon retired. The guiding principles that had built the company’s reputation—evolution, adaptability and quality—continued to be upheld. The apple trees were removed and replaced with blueberry bushes, a rather bold gamble at the time, as the plant was still largely unknown in our region.
Luc began hybridising irises and daylilies to create new varieties, most of which are still featured in our catalogue today. His successes include several reblooming varieties and irises with spurs and spoons.
2000
A Small Craft Business Adapting to Its Time
Spring 1999: launch of our first website
Over the following decade, the areas devoted to plants increased. Production greenhouses were built so that part of our range could be sold in containers at the many plant fairs we attended across France in spring.
After completing my horticultural studies, I—Nicolas—joined the family adventure and dedicated myself to our passion: irises, as well as daylilies and peonies. A hybridisation programme was established so that new Bourdillon varieties could emerge in the years ahead.
We decided to offer our blueberries as a pick-your-own crop, and raspberry bushes were planted to expand our range. Regrettably, we had to stop growing poppies following an invasion of rodents that were particularly fond of the roots we used to take cuttings.
From Creation to Shipping
The hybridisation programme has borne fruit: 68 varieties have now been registered by the company. Nicolas oversees every stage, from creation to lifting, while Angélique processes your orders and manages packing and shipping.
Mail-order sales,
a Bourdillon speciality
Our mail-order service has been perfected over many years. Since 1969, an illustrated printed catalogue has been published every April and sent to our customers.
We take all our photographs ourselves to ensure the highest quality. Our website also provides detailed information and photographs of all our irises, daylilies and peonies, helping you make the best possible choice.
Bourdillon Excellence
Quality, choice and expert advice
One of the largest
collections in France
On our forty-hectare farm, we grow an exceptional botanical diversity.
“Made in Bourdillon” quality
Bourdillon quality means healthy plants that are lifted by hand and large enough to flower in the year following planting.
Careful packaging: the plants are trimmed, labelled and packed into boxes.
Good advice for beautiful plants
Customer care is essential to us: we send out our annual catalogue and provide personalised advice by telephone.
Plant fairs
The ideal opportunity to meet us, see our plants and appreciate their quality.
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