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.
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.
Dutch urban tree tenders are becoming more demanding
Urban tree tenders in the Netherlands are becoming more demanding and performance-oriented. While size and price remain relevant, municipalities increasingly focus on long-term performance under urban stress conditions. For nursery growers supplying the Dutch market, this means that demonstrable quality and documentation are gaining importance.
Germany accelerates transition to peat-reduced and peat-free substrates in the tree nursery industry
The German tree nursery industry is accelerating the transition to peat-reduced and peat-free substrates. Across several federal states, demonstration projects are supporting nurseries in testing alternative growing media as part of Germany’s strategy to significantly reduce peat use in professional horticulture by 2030.
The companies in the Lazio floriculture region joined forces in a strong organisation.
When we talk about a large, contiguous floriculture centre in Italy, the name Pistoia quickly comes to mind. But there is more! In March 2020, when the whole world was overwhelmed and disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, the flower and plant growers of Lazio turned this very difficult period into a unique opportunity: they joined forces and began to build the identity of the flower and plant growing centre of the Lazio region. It was a small step from idea to realisation, and in just 48 hours, the non-profit association became a reality.
THE ITALIAN AND INTERNATIONAL MARKET
During the Myplant press conference, attention was also paid to figures relating to the Italian market.In 2024, the value of Italian horticulture production exceeded €3.25 billion (ISTAT), up 3.5% on 2023, +23% over five years and +30.8% compared to 2014, despite climatic and market challenges.
Bloombux® as a Boxwood Alternative: Long-Term Trial in Germany Confirms Strengths of the Dwarf Rhododendron
For many years, the Horticultural Teaching and Research Institute (LVG) Bad Zwischenahn-Rostrup in Germany has been testing boxwood alternatives for small edging hedges under practical conditions. The focus is on the question of which woody plants are suitable as a replacement for boxwood – which is currently plagued by diseases and pests – in terms of winter hardiness, pests, diseases, hedge density, and growth vigor. As one of the few flowering alternatives in the field of evergreen shrubs, the Rhododendron Bloombux® from the INKARHO® breeding program has proven its worth.
Hillier Nurseries, UK, wins AIPH International Grower of the Year 2026
The coveted Gold Rose Award was presented to Hillier Nurseries on Tuesday, 27 January 2026, during a ceremony at IPM Essen in Germany by Linda Hoogendoorn-Veelenturf, CEO of MPS Group – the main sponsor of the Awards. Established in 2009, the AIPH IGOTY Awards recognise best practices in horticulture by the world's leading ornamental plant nurseries and celebrate the expertise and energy they bring to horticulture.
Groeibalans opts for innovative future with new base in ROOTZ
Zundert, 14 January 2026 – Groeibalans, the independent consultancy and research agency for the tree nursery sector, is taking an important step towards the future. Starting today, the Groeibalans team will, in addition to their current location, also rent, work and innovate from ROOTZ, the knowledge and innovation centre of and for the tree nursery sector. With this branch, Groeibalans is strengthening its position as an expert partner at the heart of the sector.
’Avenue of the Year’ competition in Germany – an opportunity for the tree nursery industry
Avenues deserve special protection for their ecological value and for their cultural and historical significance. However, many are endangered by road construction, soil pollutants and other negative influences. This has prompted the German Association for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND) to launch the Allee des Jahres('Avenue o the Year') initiative.
European Commission wants to speed up approval of biocontrol and biocides: opportunity for even more sustainable farming in Europe
According to the European Commission, the authorisation of biocontrol and biocides is still too slow. On 16 December, the European Commission therefore launched legislative proposals for faster authorisation of biocontrol, a collective term for biological and natural plant protection products.
Dutch growers aware of environmental impact of crop protection: sector wants to make greater use of green alternatives
In the floriculture sector, 83% of entrepreneurs are aware of the environmental impact of the chemical crop protection products they use. Many of them have a strong desire to use more “green” alternatives. However, more than half (53%) experience problems in making crop protection more sustainable. They need greater availability of alternatives, clear and consistent legislation and regulations for all countries, and more technical knowledge and information. This is evident from the latest Ornamental Horticulture Trend Report, published today by Royal FloraHolland.
Interesting techniques in Greek landscaping projects
While searching for interesting landscaping projects in the Mediterranean region, GGP. News came into contact with GardenDaddies from Kilkis (Greece). We spoke with Anastasios Poulcharidis and Olga Christodoulidou about how they approach their work.
Hendrikx Groenvormen (Diessen, the Netherlands)
At Hendrikx Groenvormen in Diessen, everything revolves around quality, natural growth, and craftsmanship. Owner Sander Hendrikx has built his nursery step by step over the past eighteen years and has a clear vision of sustainable cultivation: “The plant always comes first – that’s how you make your living, and it’s your trademark.”
M. van den Oever Nursery joins GGP.news
We proudly welcome M. van den Oever Nursery BV from Son en Breugel as a new partner of GGP.news.
Introduction Total Transplant Solutions (TTS)
Total Transplant Solutions (TTS) is a Dutch manufacturer of automatic planting machines, founded in 1993 and based in Rijsbergen, the Netherlands. The company is owned and managed by Rob Tolenaars, who, together with his team, is dedicated to developing innovative solutions that automate and improve the planting process.