Holland: Where It All Started
The Van Belle story began in Enschede, Holland, where Harry Van Belle was born into a family already rooted in flowers. His father owned a small flower shop and worked as a flower wholesaler, passing down a passion for flowers, hard work, and serving the community from one generation to the next.
In 1948, Harry immigrated to Canada with his parents in search of new opportunity — the beginning of what would eventually become a multigenerational family business in Durham Region.
A New Life in Canada
After arriving in Canada with very little, the Van Belle family built a life through faith, hard work, and determination. From Manitoulin Island to Newcastle and eventually Bowmanville, they took on gardening and landscaping work while establishing roots in their new community.
The family became known locally for their love of flowers and gardening — even creating iconic floral floats for the Bowmanville Fair parade.
Starting The Nursery
In 1961, the Van Belle family officially established Van Belle Gardens. What began as a modest greenhouse and nursery operation steadily grew through strong growing knowledge, quality plants, and a deep connection to the community.
The early years focused primarily on bedding plants, laying the foundation for decades of growth to come.
Expansion Into Cut Flowers
In the 1970s, Van Belle expanded into fresh cut flowers and floral design. Over the years, as many as five floral shops opened in Bowmanville, Oshawa, Courtice, and Whitby — with the Whitby and Courtice locations still operating today.
Known for uncompromising quality and timeless floral design, Van Belle became a trusted part of weddings, celebrations, sympathy work, and everyday moments across Durham Region.
A New Generation
As the business grew, Harry Van Belle’s children — Carl, Martha, Ruth, and Jackie — became increasingly involved in the company. Having grown up around the greenhouses and flower shops, they helped guide Van Belle into its next chapter while carrying forward the same family values it was built on.
Under the next generation, the business expanded into wholesale flowers, broadened its supply network globally, and continued growing its floral and giftware operations — while Harry remained actively involved throughout the years.
Expansion Into Wholesale
In 1986, Van Belle launched Belle Floral, expanding into wholesale flowers and supplying florists throughout Ontario. What began with a handful of local customers steadily grew into a large delivery network stretching as far east as Kingston and north to Haliburton.
By building relationships with growers and suppliers around the world, Belle Floral became known for quality products, dependable service, and strong relationships within the floral industry.
A Tribute To Carl
Carl Van Belle was more than a business leader — he was the heart of the company for many years. Passionate about flowers, deeply committed to customers, and loved by staff, growers, and industry partners alike, Carl helped shape Van Belle into what it is today.
Though he officially led the wholesale division, his vision and leadership touched every part of the business. Following his sudden passing in 2021 after a battle with cancer, his presence continues to be felt every day through the people, values, and passion he leaves behind.
Passing The Torch
In 2025, the McDonald family became the new owners of Van Belle Flowers, continuing the tradition of a family-owned floral business rooted in community, quality, and hard work. Family members including Dorie, Bobby, Nicky, and Euston joined the business to help lead its next chapter.
The connection to flowers runs generations deep. Dorie’s grandfather owned Rice’s Flowers in Richmond Hill beginning in the 1950s, where she worked as a child growing up in the business. In a fitting full-circle moment, Rice’s Flowers was one of Van Belle’s early flower customers decades ago — linking the two family histories long before they would eventually become one story.
Looking To The Future
As Van Belle looks ahead, the focus remains rooted in the values that built the company from the very beginning — family, quality, hard work, and a genuine love of flowers. Preserving the history, legacy, and people behind the business will always remain at the heart of what we do.
At the same time, Van Belle continues to evolve for a new generation. By expanding, modernizing, and embracing new ideas, we hope to continue growing well into the 21st century — sharing the beauty of flowers with more people and helping make everyday life a little more beautiful along the way.