The 26th edition of the international “GREEN IS LIFE” plant trade fair, together with the third edition of Flower Expo Poland, took place on 6-8 September in Warsaw at EXPO XXI. This successful event combined two complementary sectors presenting the offer of plants and products for the garden along with cut flowers, pot plants and decorations. The fair was held under the slogan “Collection of Benefits”. Nearly 300 exhibitors from 10 countries took part in the fair – Poland, Holland, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, Ecuador, Japan and Ukraine. Foreign exhibitors represented 97 companies – which is 1/3 of all exhibitors. The largest number of foreign exhibitors were companies from Holland – both in the “Green is Life” and Flower Expo Poland parts, where firms associated under Royal Flora Holland, the largest European flower auction, had a strong presence. The floristic sector at the fair was represented by over 60 companies. Nearly 17.000 guests from 36 countries visited the fair.
Of which more than 7.500 were professionals represented by producers of garden plants – nurserymen and other horticultural growers (27.45%), salesman and managers of commercial companies (including garden centers and market chains) (16.41%), landscape architects and designers of green areas (23.06%), local government specialists dealing with public green areas (6.05%), florists, flower shop owners, wholesalers, flower growers (9.58%) suppliers of gardening technologies , products and services (7.22%). The presence of decision makers was a very positive factor – owners, managers and directors, accounted for 62.02% of total industry visitors. Foreign visitors to the fairs comprised some 7.2% of all industry customers, originating from 36 countries. The synergy of these two trade shows created a unique show, the biggest in Poland, for the entire flower, pot plants and garden industry. The customers were presented with a very wide and diverse range of plants. The presentation devoted to bedding plants and perennials dedicated to growing on balconies and terraces was a novelty of this year edition. Organized by Polish Nurserymen Association, the ‘Plants Novelties competition’ is a constant event and only such competition in Poland. Its aim is to extensively promote new, interesting varieties of trees, shrubs, climbers and perennials. In this editon the international jury voted for the Gold Medal: Weigela florida ‘Lime Monster’ from Szkółka SZMIT; Silver medals: Cercis canadensis ‘The rising Sun’ from Szkółkarstwo Ozdobne OLSZEWSCY; Betula pendula ‘Fastigiata Joes’ ‘Jolep1’ from BREEDERPLANTS V.O.F. and Bronze medals: Echinacea ‘Delicious Nougat’ from VITROFLORA Grupa Producentów Sp. and Ajuga tenorii ‘Princess Nadia’ ‘Piotrek01’ from PLANTLINE B.V. The most important features of the fair in Warsaw include the largest presentation of plants in the country together with an accompanying offer of technologies and accessories addressed to various market segments, the international character and extensive program of events. You could see not only “must have”, but also new plants, productions and announcements of what will appear next season in the industry – in garden centers, flower shops, supermarkets and DIY stores as well as in private gardens. A noticeable trend is perennials and grasses – present on many stands in the form of compositions or ready-to-copy beds. In the “decor” segment, both large flower pots, gazebos and furniture, as well as small items in various styles were presented, for the garden and interiors. There was also the premiere of the long-awaited Perennial Catalog recommended by the Polish Nurserymen Association. The industry program was addressed to several recipient groups: plant producers, sellers, landscape architects, contractors, florists and retail representatives. Landscape architects and those dealing with urban greenery took part in conferences and workshops. One of the leading guests was Dutch designer Niek Roozen, author of numerous projects in Europe and China, awarded numerous prizes at international competitions. Next edition, 27th GREEN IS LIFE Expo and 4th FLOWER EXPO POLAND will be held from 5th to 7th September 2019 at EXPO XXI Warsaw, Poland.
The Flora Journal 