The origins
Ida and Riccardo Brea married and began cultivating carnations, the iconic flowers of the Riviera di Ponente, along with freesias.
The war
Even during the war, cultivation did not stop. It was Ida who took the flowers to the Villa Ormond market, carrying the basket on her head with a determination that would become the family’s defining trait.
A new home
Finally, Ida and Riccardo realized their dream of building a home of their own, close to the land they cultivated. During the same years, Riccardo collaborated with Quinto Mansuino, who dedicated the carnation variety “Rosso Brea” to him.
Expansion & Research
After concluding their collaboration with Mansuino, the Brea couple began their own research on carnations. With the help of their sons, Ezio and Lionello, highly successful varieties were developed, such as Francarosa, Rosso Garibaldi, and the miniature varieties Eolo, Cucciolo, and Disco. At the same time, experiments were carried out on new species, including calla lilies, amaryllis, gladioli, and roses.
New varieties
Ezio began working on ranunculus, developing new colors and extending the plant’s productive period. This gave rise to one of the symbols of Sanremo floriculture, now appreciated worldwide. Meanwhile, the cross between the Caën anemone and Monna Lisa led to the creation of Cristina, which remains a flagship flower in Brea’s catalog today.
Breanthus & Cloni
Ezio’s research activity moved to Tuscany and continued relentlessly, gaining new momentum with the development of a line of Dianthus barbatus called Breanthus. Around the mid-1990s, Ezio’s daughters, Manuela and Marina, also joined the company. Manuela, in particular, carried on the laboratory work in Sanremo, focusing on the in vitro propagation of the Ranunculus Clone line.
Present & Future
Today, the research activity continues with the same enduring passion, focusing on new varieties of ranunculus and anemone—such as the double-petaled Carillon® line—berry roses, and Dianthus barbatus. The company operates in Sanremo and Nodica (PI), simultaneously carrying out research and the production of bulbs and young plants. Meanwhile, the fourth generation of the Brea family has already taken up the mantle, ready to write the next chapter of this nearly century-long story.
