Two ‘blooming’ Aussie shows to try

Hydrangea ‘Sundae Fraise’ delivers a showstopping appearance in Warner’s Nurseries and Rob Boyle’s Gold-winning garden at the 2022 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show.

Nursery & Garden Industry Victoria (NGIV) is the go-to body for horticulture in Victoria – the second-smallest state and the second-largest economy in Australia. The association represents a membership worth $2.5 billion and employs more than 24,000 industry professionals. NGIV is the collective voice for individual growers, retailers, and allied businesses, to achieve a growing, united, and sustainable industry.

NGIV prides itself on delivering a varied and exciting events calendar that attracts visitors from around the globe. In terms of international attendance, two prestigious horticultural events stand out. And with ever-easing pandemic restrictions, the association would like to encourage participation in Australian Horticultural Trials Week and the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show.

AUSTRALIAN HORTICULTURAL TRIALS WEEK

NGIV is proud to partner with Australia’s top breeders, growers, and allied businesses, to deliver Australian Horticultural Trials Week. Taking place between 5-9 December 2022, Trials Week will be held at various horticultural exhibitor sites across Victoria. It showcases the latest in containers, bedding, indoor and outdoor plants, and allied innovations.

“Australian Horticultural Trials Week is a fantastic opportunity for growers and retailers to view the latest innovations in plant breeding, allied products, and technology. This event allows attendees to have the newest knowledge and stay abreast with global trends.

“There are also great benefits of connecting with peers from across the industry and visiting some really interesting facilities. A week not to be missed if you want to stay ahead of the competition,” enthuses Simon Gomme, Director of Powerplants.

EXPANDING ITS DIGITAL OFFER

A new breed of Trials Week visitor has been: the virtual visitor. Many exhibitors have increased their digital output to encourage a global audience to experience Australian Horticultural Trials Week through safe virtual tours and social media live streams.

“We’ve really increased our digital output to make sure that everyone can experience Ball Australia’s latest plant innovations, no matter where in the world they might be,” says Kate Grant, Ball Australia’s marketing manager.

At the 2021 Australian Horticultural Trials Week, plant exhibitors included Ball Australia, Haar’s Nursery, JD Propagation, Majestic Young Plants, Mansfield’s Propagation Nursery, and Touch of Class Plants. The allied exhibitors were Powerplants, Garden City Plastics, Norwood, Super Starters, and EvergreenConnect. Preparation is already underway for what will be a wonderful Trials Week 2022.

Pictured left to right are Carl van Loon, CEO Powerplants Australia, Minister for Agriculture, The Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas, Paul Boland, managing director Ball Australia.

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FLOWER AND GARDEN SHOW

NGIV also owns the world-renowned Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS), which returns spectacularly after a two-year hiatus in 2022. More than 103,000 passionate plant people attended the return of the southern hemisphere’s largest horticultural event.

It took place at the heritage-listed Carlton Gardens and Royal Exhibition Building in the heart of Melbourne. The coveted festival unites plant lovers of all ages with an enchanting collection of never-before-seen landscape designs, educational talks from industry elites, hands-on workshops, and a catalogue of the latest and greatest gardening products. The crowd’s favourite Show Gardens delivers an extraordinary display of horticultural oasis from some of the world’s best landscape designers. The date will be announced soon for 2023.

Experience two of Australia’s most prestigious horticultural events. For more information, visit www.horticulturaltrials.com and www.melbflowershow.com.au