Rick Zagers: alderman with an eye for greenery and entrepreneurship

Rick Zagers has been an alderman in Zundert since May 2026. He is an alderman on behalf of the Zundert VVD. In addition to traffic, sports, education and facilities, his portfolio also includes economic affairs. This means that he will also have a great deal to do with the tree nursery sector in our municipality.

Jury for the Jan van Dongen Prize and Jac. Lodders Prize ready for GrootGroenPlus 2026

Today, the jury for the Jan van Dongen Prize and the Jac. Lodders Prize met to prepare for the 36th edition of the GrootGroenPlus trade fair. This year, the trade fair will take place from 30 September to 2 October. On Wednesday, the jury members will visit the stands to select the best entries in two categories: the Jan van Dongen Prize for the best supplier and the Jac. Lodders Prize for the best green participant.

Growers' Pride: Cortaderia Tiny Pampa

The large white plumes of pampas grass are hard to miss. And so, usually, is the plant itself. Cortaderia can easily develop into a substantial clump and therefore needs space. Tiny Pampa does exactly the opposite. At around 60 centimetres including its plumes, this Cortaderia remains remarkably compact while retaining the characteristic appearance that makes pampas grass so distinctive. It is precisely this combination that makes Tiny Pampa a plant Van Vliet New Plants is proud of.

‘One in 250: that’s when you know you’ve found something special’

Of the hundreds of new plants Peter Kroes sees, many are rejected almost immediately. Not because they are bad plants, but because ‘good’ is simply no longer good enough. The market is crowded, which means that the bar is being raised continuously. Every now and then, however, something comes along that immediately catches the attention of the director of Van Vliet New Plants. ‘Maybe one in 250. That’s when you think: wham, this is the one.’

Sustainability and collaboration take centre stage at GrootGroenPlus 2026

From 30 September to 2 October 2026, the 36th edition of GrootGroenPlus will take place at the BCT site near the Hazeldonk border crossing in the municipality of Zundert. This year, the international trade fair for the tree nursery industry is entirely dedicated to the theme Growing Together. With this theme, the trade fair emphasises the importance of collaboration, innovation and a sustainable future for the tree nursery industry and the wider green industry.

KVBC inspects new varieties at GrootGroenPlus

Introducing a new cultivar is an important moment for a grower or breeder. It is often preceded by years of crossing, selecting and growing. An independent assessment shows the qualities of such a new plant and what it adds to the existing assortment. This year, the Koninklijke Vereniging van Boskoopse Culturen (KVBC) will once again be present at GrootGroenPlus to independently assess new plants.

Dutch ornamental plant industry sounds alarm bell: scrap the VAT increase on flowers and plants

The Dutch ornamental plant industry is sounding the alarm bell as the government stands by its plan to increase VAT on flowers, plants, trees and bulbs from 9 to 21 per cent. The measure will make greenery more expensive, harm businesses throughout the supply chain and is counteractive to ambitions for sustainability, greening, health and wellbeing. The industry is therefore urgently calling on coalition and opposition parties in the House of Representatives and the Senate to scrap the VAT increase. This measure runs counter to greening ambitions and will result in hundreds of millions of euros in economic damage.

GrootGroenPlus 2026 Buyers Programme attracts international interest

The GrootGroenPlus 2026 Buyers Programme is once again attracting considerable international interest this year. Managers and buyers from garden centres and garden centre chains, wholesalers, landscaping companies, government organisations and trade associations from numerous countries have registered for this special programme.