Grower's Pride: Hydrangea paniculata ‘Vanille Fraise’

Hydrangea paniculata ‘Vanille Fraise’ is a plant that continues to attract attention as the season progresses. Its large, cone-shaped flower panicles emerge creamy white in summer, gradually developing a soft pink blush. As the flowers mature, their colour deepens to an intense strawberry pink and sometimes even rich reddish shades. With younger and older flowers present simultaneously, the plant displays a striking combination of colours.

Why do we do things this way?

A good grower and a good entrepreneur are rarely the same person. One finds satisfaction in producing the perfect crop, while the other focuses on building a future-proof business. At Hergo Nursery in Zundert, these two worlds seem to come together remarkably well.

Growers’ Pride: Fagus sylvatica ‘Atropunicea’

With its deep reddish-brown foliage, Fagus sylvatica ‘Atropunicea’ is a distinctive product within the forestry and hedging range of Hergo Boomkwekerij. At its nursery in Zundert, the red beech is carefully raised from seed. This allows Hergo to control the entire growing process, from young plant material to a strong and uniform final product.

Success is no coincidence. Not even in tree nurseries.

For years, tree nursery cultivation revolved around one central question: how do we develop better plants? Stronger genetics, richer flowering, improved disease resistance and more ornamental value. Every new cultivar had to outperform the previous one. That pursuit still forms the foundation of Living Creations. Even after fifteen years, Alex Schoemaker considers himself first and foremost a breeder.

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’.