1876  Dietrich-Gerhard Bruns was the first gardener of the family and founded a horticultural business. The range of plants then was rather limited.

1900  His son, Johann Bruns (1876–1957), takes over the family firm after having been educated. Inspired by the Dutch tree nursery centre at Boskoop, he systematically expands the nursery into an efficient business.

1912  An office and residence and other business facilities are built in 1912 on the newly acquired Brokhoff.

During the First World War the positive development of the company suffers a setback.

1928  The oldest of the three sons, Erich Bruns (1905–1989), joins the company in 1928. The first branch is established in Gristede.

In the following years, the nursery manages to come through the World Economic Crisis.

1937  Wilhelm Bruns (1912–2003) joins the company. He sets up travelling plant sales. At this time the BRUNS Pflanzen employed up to 100 workers during the season.

The Second World War takes its toll; after the war the Allies order the clearance of all nursery stock to grow food crops.

1946  Erich and Wilhelm Bruns begin reconstruction in 1946, helped by 70 staff.

1960  In the 1960s and 70s the export business developed rapidly. BRUNS becomes an acclaimed export nursery.

1977  With Jan-Dieter Bruns the fourth generation is actively involved in the business. He has been the managing director since 1990.

1989  After the death of Erich Bruns in 1989, his daughter Gisela Conrad becomes co-partner.

1992  On his 80th birthday, in October 1992, Wilhelm Bruns is honoured as a successful breeder and businessman; he receives the highest honour of the German landscape industries, the Georg Arendts Gedächtnis-Münze.

1997  The new administration building and logistics centre is built on Joh. Bruns Allee.

1998  Erich Conrad, son of Gisela Bruns, joins the BRUNS Pflanzen.

2001  Bruns Pflanzen celebrates its 125th anniversary with more than 1000 guest from right across Europe.

2003  Construction of the logistics centre for containerised plants at the production centre Gristede.

2006  Construction of the depot at Ohrwege.

2007  The BRUNS Pflanzen cultivates more than 4000 plant species and cultivars with more than 300 members of staff on more than 500 hectares of land. It has developed into one of the leading nurseries in Europe.