Belgium plays a key role in the European ornamental horticulture market, with approximately 6,450 hectares devoted to production across open-air fields and greenhouse facilities. The sector is highly diversified, focusing strongly on nursery stock, azaleas, indoor plants, and bedding plants. Flanders stands out as the powerhouse of this industry, accounting for more than 90% of the national production value. Belgian growers are recognised for their expertise, product quality, and continuous innovation in cultivation techniques.

In 2024, Belgian exports of ornamental horticultural products exceeded €660 million, highlighting the country’s strong international footprint. France, the Netherlands, and Germany are among the top destinations, while trade is also expanding to non-EU countries. Belgium remains a strategic partner for buyers and distributors across Europe and beyond with its central location, advanced infrastructure, and commitment to sustainable practices.

From April 8 to 9, 2025, a select group of international journalists and industry professionals joined VLAM (Flanders’ Agricultural Marketing Board) team for an in-depth look at some of Belgium’s most dynamic ornamental nurseries. The press trip provided a front-row view into the innovation, sustainability, and craftsmanship that define Flanders as a horticultural powerhouse.

The first day of visits kicked off in the Limburg region, with Mentens Nursery in Oudsbergen setting the tone. Under the leadership of Marielle Mentens and Bart Peeters is an open-air tree production. Mentens presented its wide assortment of topiary plants, multi-stemmed and avenue trees, large hedging specimens, emphasising biodiversity and climate resilience in 112 hectares. With 65% of its sales from exports in 17 countries, the nursery is known for its eco-conscious growing techniques and organic fertilisers and ability to supply European landscape professionals with mature, field-grown specimens.

Next, the group travelled to Botanisk in Bocholt. This nursery, owned by Johan Stessens, board member of the Perennial Power association, renowned for its clean aesthetic and Scandinavian-inspired branding, focuses on creating concept-driven plant collections for garden centres and lifestyle retailers. Botanisk specialises in professional-grade perennials, grasses, ferns, and herbs, with a strong focus on native species and biodiversity. Since 2015, the assortment has grown from 700 to 1,650 cultivars. A lunch among their display collections offered a perfect setting to discuss retail trends and brand positioning. The company is a leader in sustainability, using solar energy, rainwater systems, and biological pest control, while supporting landscape projects in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and France.

The afternoon continued at Plantura Nursery, also in Bocholt, where visitors were introduced to a state-of-the-art container nursery. Plantura is a fast-growing wholesale nursery offering over 30,000 plant varieties to landscaping professionals, municipalities, and infrastructure projects. Founded by Dries Aerden and Liesbeth Wachters, the business combines family horticultural tradition with modern logistics and expert consultancy, serving primarily the Benelux market with efficient, high-quality delivery. Plantura combines mechanisation with sustainable practices, including water recycling and integrated pest management.

Closing the day was a visit to Heyeveld in As, a variety-driven nursery with a strong focus on new cultivars and licensed plant material. Heyeveld, managed by Leon Peters and Jan Nijs, spans 90 hectares and specialises in open-ground conifers, particularly Taxus varieties, along with shrubs and grasses in containers. With strong investments in sustainable technology (GPS spraying, mechanised weed control, mobile irrigation), 80% of its revenue comes from exports to over 20 countries, including Italy, the Netherlands, and Germany. Known for its role in testing and introducing innovative varieties, Heyeveld collaborates closely with breeders, offering propagation expertise and helping new selections reach the market. The nursery operates in close partnership with its trade division, Peters Belgian Outdoor Plants.

On April 9, the group shifted toward Sint-Truiden to explore Belgium’s fruit tree production with a visit to Johan Nicolai. With over 100 hectares in production, this nursery supplies grafted fruit trees and rootstocks to professional orchards across Europe and beyond. Nicolai’s precision in grafting and uniformity in tree development reflect a high level of specialisation. The nursery integrates advanced technology, cold storage, and sustainable practices while maintaining a strong export presence in Europe, North Africa, and Asia. A third-generation family business, Nicolaï produces 2 million apple and pear trees annually and is recognised for developing innovative varieties such as Kanzi® or Greenstar®. In partnership with its sister company ZOUK, it has launched new varieties as Coryphée and, more recently Ziola®.

The tour concluded with a stop at Thomas Home & Garden Inspiration in Hasselt, winner of the prestigious Graines d’Or Award in 2010, an award for the most innovative garden centre concept in Europe. Thomas is more than just a garden centre; it offers a full retail concept combining plants, interior decor, and hospitality. The Thomas family-run destination blends floristry, garden plants, and lifestyle products across 6,600 m² of retail space. It features green energy, rainwater harvesting, and offers inspiration and quality under one stylish roof. The Café au Lait on-site provided an inviting space for reflection on the visit and to enjoy the consumer experience trends in green retailing.

This year’s VLAM press trip highlighted how Belgian nurseries—whether focused on trees, perennials, or consumer-ready collections—share a common DNA of quality, sustainability, and forward-thinking entrepreneurship. As European markets evolve and demand more from growers, Flanders continues to demonstrate why it remains at the forefront of ornamental horticulture.