GREEN IS LIFE 2026 chooses “THE HEART OF THE GREEN SECTOR” as its slogan

The 33rd edition of the Green is Life trade fair in Warsaw has now become a key meeting point for the tree nursery sector. “The slogan ‘THE HEART OF THE GREEN SECTOR’ is more than just a phrase — it perfectly captures what the trade fair stands for today: a place where key market processes converge, with plants as the starting point and the foundation for every investment in greenery. In a time of growing environmental challenges, the role of plants and responsible decision-making in green investments is becoming increasingly important,” says director Joanna Filipczak, “We see the growing importance of greenery — at its core are always plants and well-considered decisions regarding their selection. The Polish Growers’ Association understands this well and is responding with concrete action.”

Heat, Pests and the End of Hungary’s Thuja Era

Emerald Green arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’) defined Hungarian suburban gardening. Dense, narrow, evergreen and affordable conifer became the standard choice for privacy hedges around family homes and residential developments. At its peak, climate change has formed thuja production, a major part of nursery business model for many Hungarian ornamental nurseries. For today, however the past dominance, Emerald Green arborvitae has almost disappeared from the Hungarian gardens.

'The industry focuses too much on what happens above ground'

When walking through a tree nursery, people often automatically look at what is visible above ground: height growth, branching, uniformity and colour. According to Rob Tolenaars of TTS, however, this certainly doesn't say everything about the quality of a plant. “The real foundation is below ground,” he states. “That is ultimately where it is determined how strongly a plant develops.”

Tree Nursery Technology Day: “Here, growers see things here that they want to apply themselves tomorrow”

On Thursday 25 June, the annual Tree Nursery Technology Day will take place at Esri Potcultuur and Boomkwekerij Kennis on Oekelsestraat in Rijsbergen. What once started out as a small-scale gathering focused on mechanical weed control has now grown into a meeting place for tree nursery growers, mechanisation companies and technology developers from the Netherlands and Belgium. Yet, according to co-initiator John Dictus of Boomkwekerij Dictus Hereijgers, the event should above all retain what makes it strong: accessibility, a practical focus and technology developed by growers themselves.

Bartın Province in Turkey puts organic aronia berries in the spotlight

The Turkish province of Bartın is set to play a significant role in the organic cultivation of aronia berries. This is according to Cengiz Bostanci, an agricultural engineer working in the province of Bartın: “At a time when interest in functional foods and organic agriculture and horticulture is growing worldwide, the province of Bartın in Turkey is strengthening its position in the global aronia berry market. Thanks to a combination of government support, investment from the private sector and cooperative initiatives, Bartın is not only building a cultivation centre, but one of the purest aronia ecosystems in the world. Aronia cultivation in Bartın began in 2018 as part of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Plant Production Development Project, in collaboration with the Yalova Atatürk Horticultural Central Research Institute.”

TTS joins GGP.news

With its practical view on rooting, tray development and young plant quality, TTS has built a clear position within the international tree nursery industry in recent years. The company, owned by Rob Tolenaars, focuses on tray systems that not only make efficient production possible, but above all contribute to a stronger root system and more uniform plant development.

Theme ‘Growing Together’ takes on a broad meaning at the trade fair floor

Growth does not happen automatically. It requires choices, initiative and making connections. That is exactly what GrootGroenPlus wants to stimulate at the trade fair floor this autumn with its theme ‘Growing Together’. But what does that mean in practice? “Sometimes growth simply means taking a step back for a moment,” says marketing expert and board member of the trade fair, Loïs Lodders.

Garden market in Germany comparatively stable

Given the generally gloomy economic mood in Germany, horticulture is still in relatively good shape. This was also made clear at the Media Day Garden event organised by the German Horticultural Industry Association (IVG) in Cologne in February 2026. The organisers were encouraging about the future of the green sector, despite all the challenges: plants and gardening continue to offer opportunities for those who are rethinking their approach and adapting to change.