Kees Burgmans: ‘Extreme weather requires a different way of doing business’
Snow in spring, a dry spell, followed by tropical heat. The past season once again demanded a great deal from tree nurseries. Yet Kees Burgmans of Kwekerij Burgmans in Haaren looks back on the first half of the year with satisfaction. The market remained surprisingly stable. According to him, the biggest challenge does not lie on the sales side, but in how entrepreneurs prepare their businesses for an increasingly unpredictable climate. He sees GrootGroenPlus as the perfect moment to look ahead together.
Joost Sterke: ‘The biggest challenge? Not the market, but the people’
The market for trees and hedge plants remains healthy. Joost Sterke has no doubt about that. According to him, the real challenges for the coming years lie elsewhere: in securing enough skilled workers, further mechanisation, and adapting to stricter requirements regarding water management and crop protection. He sees GrootGroenPlus as the event where the industry both reflects on the past season and looks ahead to the next.
Italian horticulture strengthens ties with the United Kingdom
The Italian ornamental horticulture sector confirms the strategic importance of the UK market with an export value of €43 million in 2025 (+1.3% compared to 2024). During the London edition of Green Agorà, organised by Greenitaly (Fiere di Parma), the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) and the Italian Embassy, key figures from the sector came together to discuss growth, sustainability and the impact of climate change.
HTA launches autumn campaign: Make your garden a success, both this year and the next
Whilst the summer heat is still in the air, the horticultural sector is already looking ahead to autumn and even Christmas. But this period isn’t about winding down; it’s about seizing opportunities. The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) is therefore launching the next phase of its ‘Your Garden Year’ campaign under the banner ‘Making the most of now and next year’.
Flower and plant market shows resilience in a challenging second quarter of 2026
Amid a period of economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and fluctuating consumer confidence, the floriculture sector is holding its own. In Q2 2026, Royal FloraHolland traded 4.8% fewer flowers and plants than last year, whilst turnover fell by 2.7%. The limited decline in turnover compared to the drop in volume shows that pricing remained stable in many product groups.
Update on the Crop Protection Covenant (Convenant Gewasbescherming)
Last week, the administrative consultation on the Crop Protection Covenant took place. Feedback from the members' webinar held on 2 July was incorporated into the process leading up to the covenant.
The Evolution Garden at the Natural History Museum in London
Anyone who loves dinosaurs is bound to be thrilled by the Natural History Museum in London. The venerable, almost cathedral-like building houses a wealth of fossils as well as dinosaur skeletons. The museum demonstrated its innovative spirit by commissioning two new gardens: the Nature Discovery Garden and the Evolution Garden.
Urgent call for better water restrictions for the UK’s green sector
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) and the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) are calling on the UK government to adjust the water restrictions. In a joint letter to Minister Emma Hardy, they warn that the current measures – such as South East Water’s temporary ban on water use following the heatwave – are causing unnecessary harm to businesses in the green sector. This sector, which represents 3,800 businesses, plays a crucial role in combating climate change through urban greening, flood prevention and heat resilience.
Boomkwekerij Maarten van Overbeek continues as Overbeek Bomen
As of 6 July, Boomkwekerij Maarten van Overbeek will continue under the name Overbeek Bomen. According to the company, the new name better reflects the development the organisation has undergone in recent years.
National crisis exercise on quarantine organisms
What is the Japanese beetle is found somewhere… how can a crisis be averted? On Friday 19 June, this fictional scenario was practiced with entrepreneurs, representatives of industry organisations and governmental authorities.
“We Love Conifers” launches its first consumer campaign with a Tuscan theme
Twelve conifer growers have joined forces to reposition the conifer as the essential plant for modern, climate-resilient gardens and public spaces. The initiative offers a solution to increasing urbanisation and the growing demand for sustainable, year-round greenery.
Garden sector continues to grow: Italian DIY market embraces greenery, wellbeing and innovation
The garden industry within Italian DIY superstores remains one of the most dynamic and forward-looking segments of the market. In the first quarter of 2026, the category achieved a turnover of €130.6 million, representing growth of 8.3% compared to the same period a year earlier. This confirms the garden industry’s role as a strategic growth driver within the DIY industry, at a time when other segments are under pressure. This is reported by the Italian trade fair Bricoday, to be held at Fiera Milano–Rho on 23–24 September 2026, based on Nielsen Q measurements.
Soil resilience: where do we stand now?
On 28 May 2026, the Royal Dutch Phytopathological Society (KNPV) held a well-attended meeting on the theme of soil resilience. Over 150 professionals and students in the field of plant health took part. Soil resilience plays a major role in plant health. The soil and soil life of a particular plot largely determine whether a plant growing there is more likely to fall ill or, conversely, is more resilient to certain pathogens. A system comparable to the functioning of the gut microbiome in humans.
Priorities for the horticultural industry in France
Global trade in ornamental plants is characterised by stark contrasts between dynamic exporting regions and major import markets facing economic pressures. By 2026, the European ornamental plant industry will be operating in a paradoxical context: public demand for plants remains strong, but at the same time businesses must contend with rising energy and cultivation costs, labour shortages, regulation, climate change and rapidly changing customer expectations.
Fourth Generation Have Taken Over Solgården
At the ornamental plant company Solgården in southern Sweden, a generational transition was officially completed in January. The new owners have been active within the company for many years and will continue to build on the strong brand that Solgården has become since its founding in 1958.
Jobba Grönt Has Increased Interest in the Green Industry
In 2025, the Swedish farmers' organizations LRF and Gröna Arbetsgivare celebrated the 10th anniversary of their initiative Jobba Grönt, but the project continues in order to attract more people to work in the green industries by highlighting the opportunities for meaningful jobs with sustainability in focus. Since the start, young people's attitudes have changed in a positive direction.
Italian National Day of Mediterranean Horticulture returns
One of the most important events in the Italian horticultural sector is returning: the National Day of Mediterranean Horticulture. This event is organised by the export organisation ANVE in collaboration with Vivai Capitanio and is scheduled for Saturday 30 May 2026 in Monopoli (BA).
‘Young plants need to become predictable’
The cultivation of young plants is slowly shifting from field plots to container fields. While open field cultivation was the standard for many years, increasingly more tree nurseries are experimenting with plugs, trays and container cultivation. Not because open field cultivation is suddenly disappearing, but because the demands for uniformity, delivery reliability and mechanical processing are increasing rapidly. Boomkwekerij De Weimer in Zundert is one of the companies right in the middle of this development.
Climate Trees and Urban Street Planting: Importance of Locally and Regionally Adapted Climate-resilient Selections in Europe
Urban trees are essential elements of modern cities, providing shade, cooling, air purification, noise reduction and water management. Street trees are no longer seen as purely decorative elements, but as functional green infrastructure. In the context of accelerating climate change, their overall public health role has become even more critical, particularly in densely built environments where heat stress and drought conditions are intensifying year after year.
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.
Elimination of reduced VAT rate on ornamental horticultural products has major impact
The government intends to eliminate the reduced VAT rate for ornamental horticulture products as of 1 January 2028. Erik Stuurbrink, chairman of the sector group Bomen, Vaste Planten en Zomerblomeen (Trees, Perennials and Summer Flowers) of LTO Nederland, questions whether the government is aware of the long-term impact of this measure.
Nursery stock sector in Germany: urban and deciduous trees on the rise
High energy prices, inflation and uncertainties at national and global level posed major challenges for many German companies last year. Export-oriented industries were under pressure, purchasing power declined and consumer sentiment was subdued.
The number of insolvencies rose, and even long-established companies were forced to close due to cheaper competition from abroad and declining orders. All of this has also had consequences for horticulture, and many horticultural businesses have avoided making investments.
Groen van bij ons, Flemish campaign ‘Groene planten, vaste klanten’
Groen van bij ons has launched a campaign in Flanders to inspire garden owners to start working with green perennials. With the slogan ‘Groene planten, vaste klanten’ ('Green plants, steady customers), the Flemish Centre for Agro- and Fisheries Marketing (VLAM) aims to convince consumers to choose perennial outdoor plants, which they can enjoy all year round.
The full range of ornamental products, interwoven with surprises
AVBS stand at the Floraliën becomes one big journey of discovery. That, in a nutshell, is what the stand of the professional organisation of ornamental growers and green contractors, AVBS, will look like. Unlike previous editions, where each houseplant grower or tree nursery more or less had ‘their own little corner’ within the group stand, the plants are now presented where they can look their best, helping to tell the overall story of the stand. Architects Wouter François and Kris Van Cauter are creating an experience here. In the past, visitors were sometimes overwhelmed by the total impression at once, they are now creating a journey of discovery. “Visitors will experience a walk full of stimuli, emotion and experience, in which their connection with what they see is deepened layer by layer,” Wouter explains.
Azaleas, camellias and a touch of tea: how Italy conquered a niche market
The professional cultivation of acid-loving plants in Italy has a long history. As early as the second half of the 19th century, on the Piedmont side of Lake Maggiore, some gardeners who worked in the parks of the majestic villas in the area, thanks to their experience and realizing that the demand for these plants was very high, helped by their families, set up their own businesses, growing azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias. These plants were the most suitable for the area, given the acidic nature of the local soil. Very old specimens can still be found in parks and gardens in the area, which sometimes are now used as mother plants to reintroduce ‘ancient’ varieties to the market.
Water Insight: from measuring to managing water at field level
Water has long ceased to be a given for tree nurseries. Dry summers, wet winters, dry summers with wet periods, wet summers with dry periods, and increasing pressure on groundwater mean that growers must increasingly think about what is happening on their fields. But managing water starts with insight, and in practice that insight is often still lacking.
Tree Nursery Hergo: steering on precision in a changing cultivation practice
In an industry where labour is becoming scarcer and pressure on chemical crop protection continues to increase, Tree Nursery Hergo deliberately chooses a different approach. Over the past few years, the company has developed into a practical example of how technology and craftsmanship can strengthen each other in tree nursery production. Not simply by increasing scale, but by organising production in a smarter and more precise way.
“Technology should not be interesting because it is new, but because it actually works in the field.”
Nursery De Weimer spreads risks with a wide assortment and invests in container production
Nursery De Weimer, owned by Corné Leenaerts and located in Zundert, the Netherlands, is not a typical specialised nursery. The company combines forest and hedge plants, shrubs, potted roses and container production. This diversified structure developed over the years, but has now become a clear strategy: spreading risks and serving different markets. At the same time, the nursery is investing in container production and greenhouse cultivation to reduce dependence on field production and gain more control over production planning.
Brasserie ROOTZ adds a new dimension to Business Centre Treeport
In 2024, the multidisciplinary knowledge centre for the tree nursery industry at Business Centre Treeport, ROOTZ, opened its doors. ROOTZ functions as a living laboratory, testing environment and meeting place, matching what the name stands for: Ruimte voor Onderzoek en Ontmoeting met Treeport Zundert (space for research and collaboration with Treeport Zundert). The main focus of the knowledge centre is to facilitate activities related to the tree nursery industry. This includes plant research, vertical farming, research into active substances, education, robotics, energy and biobased construction, soil and water analyses and much more. Sustainability is the guiding principle. Naturally, an innovative design was chosen for the building, including water collection and a green roof. The exterior façade is fitted with special wall panels made from residual wood streams and will partly be covered with living greenery.
Circulation plan in place to manage fuel tourism traffic
At the business parks Hazeldonk, Meer and Business Centre Treeport (BCT) along the E19 in Meer, a circulation plan will be introduced to prevent through traffic from ending up in traffic jams caused by fuel tourism. Many international drivers come to Belgium to purchase fuel, as prices there are significantly lower than in the Netherlands.
Smarter irrigation: what growers learn from field trials in Zundert
One summer, growers face excess water, the next they deal with drought. Therefore, for tree nurseries in the Zundert growing area, water management is becoming increasingly important. Within the Irrigation Techniques project, entrepreneurs, advisors and the water board are investigating how water can be used more efficiently in open field cultivation. Field trials at companies, including Hergo Boomkwekerij, show that better measurements and smarter techniques can quickly lead to water savings, without compromising cultivation.
New Variety: Agapanthus Lady Series (Lady Lauren & Lady Lay)
Within the expanding range of Agapanthus selections, the Lady series holds a clear position. The series has been developed with a strong focus on three key traits: exceptionally long flowering (over 100 days per year), a high number of flower stems, and healthy, robust foliage.
This directly addresses three important market demands: extended retail shelf life, strong visual impact on the sales bench, and reliable garden performance. Within the series, Agapanthus ‘Lady Lauren’ and ‘Lady Lay’ are two key representatives, each with its own identity but based on the same genetic foundation.
The Lady series is globally propagated and commercially distributed by three specialised growers: Gootjes-AllPlant, Deroose Plants and Vitro Westland. This ensures scale, continuity and international availability.
Children vote for Lavender as Garden Plant of 2026!
On Wednesday 18 March, four classes from primary schools in Schijf, Zundert, Rijsbergen, and Effen stepped into the voting booth for Boomstemdag (Tree Voting Day).
Grower’s Pride: Acer palmatum ‘Atropurpureum’
Acer palmatum ‘Atropurpureum’ is one of the most widely recognised cultivars within the range of Japanese maples. The variety is valued for its deep purple-red foliage and elegant growth habit, characteristics that have made it a long-standing favourite in gardens and landscape design. At Hoogenraad Handelskwekerijen the cultivar is grown with a strong focus on uniformity, plant quality and professional market supply. Its distinctive colour, manageable size and consistent performance make ‘Atropurpureum’ a reliable product for garden centres, landscapers and export markets.
Compact Hydrangea conquers the market
In a market where hydrangeas are widely available in large volumes, it may seem difficult to introduce a truly distinctive variety. Yet that is exactly what Jean-Pierre van der Peijl of Van der Peijl Tuinplanten has achieved. With his so-called Little Hydrangea concept, he developed a series of compact hydrangeas that naturally remain low-growing, aligning better with consumer expectations. What started as a simple observation in a garden centre has grown into a proprietary line with international protection and distribution far beyond Europe.
New Variety: Buddleja ‘Birthday Cake’ by Van Vliet New Plants
With Buddleja ‘Birthday Cake’, a compact butterfly bush enters the market that stands out for its abundant flowering and long ornamental value. The purple flowers appear stacked above the plant, creating an effect reminiscent of a layered birthday cake. This gives the plant a full and eye-catching appearance.
A practical advantage is that the flowers turn brown much less quickly during the fading stage compared with many other varieties. As a result, the plant remains visually attractive for a longer period at the garden centre.
Young plants of ‘Birthday Cake’ are exclusively available through Florensis, which markets the variety internationally to professional growers.
Scan smarter: AI cameras guard biodiversity at nursery
Knowing what flying and creeping creatures are present at a location is crucial in agriculture and horticulture, but manually monitoring insects is sheer drudgery. That is about to change. With the results from the project ‘Automatic Insect monitoring at and around nurseries’, North Brabant can fully focus on digitisation to increase biodiversity and refine crop protection.
Grower’s Pride: Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Little’ (Little XS) by Van der Peijl Tuinplanten
Within the segment of compact hydrangeas, demand is steadily increasing for varieties that naturally remain small without intensive pruning. Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Little’, also known as Little XS, responds directly to this development. The plant is a proprietary breeding of Van der Peijl Tuinplanten and forms part of the company’s Little concept, which focuses on compact hydrangeas for smaller gardens. Little XS was developed to offer a recognizable hydrangea that stays compact while maintaining the classic ornamental qualities of Hydrangea macrophylla. The cultivar is available in five flower colours: white, red, blue, purple and pink, allowing growers and retailers to present a varied and attractive colour range.
Grower’s Pride: Cordyline ‘Charlie Boy’ by Van der Peijl Tuinplanten
Within the range of structural garden plants, Cordyline ‘Charlie Boy’ occupies a distinctive position. This selection combines a strong tropical appearance with surprisingly good suitability for European gardens. At Van der Peijl Tuinplanten, this cultivar is deliberately cultivated for professional markets such as garden centres, landscapers and export channels. Its compact growth, striking foliage colour and clear recognisability make ‘Charlie Boy’ a distinctive addition to the segment of architectural garden plants.
Breda, Hoogstraten and Zundert will increase cooperation on the three business parks Hazeldonk, Transportzone Meer and Business Centre Treeport
Today, the municipalities of Breda and Zundert and the City of Hoogstraten took an important step towards the future of the cross-border business park area along the A16/E19 on the Belgian-Dutch border. On 5 March, the 'Convenant Grensverbond' (border alliance convenant) was signed: a new and sustainable international collaboration that is necessary to jointly address cross-border challenges.
Tree nursery industry report: industry remains stable, but differences between companies are increasing
The autumn of 2025 was short, erratic and unpredictable for the tree nursery industry. Nevertheless, the industry generally managed to hold up well. Turnover remained on average stable and exports increased significantly. At the same time, it is becoming clear that the differences between companies are increasing and that financial pressure on some entrepreneurs is increasing considerably. This emerged from the Sectorrapport Boomkwekerij Najaar 2025 (tree nursery industry report) published by Van Oers.
Grower’s Pride: NewGen® Buxus
Boxwood has faced significant pressure in recent years. Pests such as boxwood leafminer have damaged confidence in the crop, both at nursery level and in the end market. At the same time, demand for evergreen, formable structure plants has not disappeared. NewGen® Boxwood responds directly to this tension by introducing genetically selected cultivars developed for improved tolerance to boxwood blight and strong resistance to leafminer.
Within the program, two cultivars stand out: NewGen® Independence (‘SB108’) and NewGen® Freedom (‘SB300’).
Successful spring edition of Florall with international interest and awards for innovations
On 3 March, the spring edition of Florall took place at Waregem Expo. During this trade fair, sixty producers and ten supply and export companies presented their assortment for the upcoming season. Visitors could enjoy a wide range of houseplants, garden plants, terrace plants, and fruit trees. Despite the nice weather – which usually sparks busyness in the garden centres – the fair attracted considerable interest from both national and international visitors.