The spring edition of Florall attracted 75 exhibitors and a lot of visitors from Flanders and abroad. Once again, a professional jury awarded potentially interesting innovations.

25 million saplings are leaving Lievegem every year to create forests and develop nature reserves. So far, Sylva Nurseries has exported them to as many as 40 different countries, good for 10,000 hectares of green area. Sylva Nurseries exports its product to all the corners of the world, including distant countries such as China, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

After an intensive deliberation phase during which various aspects of the candidates were taken into account, the jury made the decision to award Gold to Callicarpa bodinieri ‘Magical Snowqueen’. Cortaderia ‘Tiny pampa’ got a silver medal and Echinacea ‘SunSeekers Apple green’ received bronze.

Floréac has been awarded the Trophée d’Or 2021 for best supplier of houseplants and cut flowers by the leading French magazine ‘Jardineries’. This entrenches the East-Flemish family business’ position as the market leader. Last year, Floréac won gold in the exact same categories: innovation, logistics, and commercial dynamism/communication.

Once again, a professional jury awarded potentially interesting innovations, during the digital Florall fair. After an intensive deliberation phase, during which various aspects of the candidates were taken into account and weighed, the jury made the decision to award Gold for Betterbuxus®. Agapanthus “Poppin’ Purple” that was awarded a silver medal also received its first public award. The spectacular colours convinced the jury to award Bronze to Leucothoe 'Rant01' (Firestar).

IPM Essen is the annual trade fair for meeting the Belgian horticultural sector at various group stands of the VLAM, Flanders’ Agricultural Marketing Board. Since the 2021 edition of IPM Essen has been cancelled, VLAM is offering a virtual alternative.

When Belgium went into lockdown in March, Drieghe Azalea barely panicked. The plants could go into the cold storage to inhibit flowering and direct sales were scaled up rapidly. All in all, this corona year has been a good year. The growers see a bright future and the market for azaleas is on the rise.

Floréac was awarded the Trophée d’Or 2020 for the best supplier of houseplants and cut flowers by the leading French magazine ‘Jardineries’. The family business from the province of East Flanders achieved the highest score for three criteria: innovation, logistics and commercial dynamic/communication. However, it was above all its ‘proximity to consumers and shops’ that convinced the jury made up of purchasers from leading garden centres and chains.

The Flemish Minister for Culture, Jan Jambon, recently recognised the Ghent Floralies as intangible heritage. This recognition values the event as intangible heritage; the jury appreciated that the traditions surrounding the Floralies also look to the future through innovation and the link with the coming generations. The recognition comes at an excellent time because on 1 May 2020, Ghent will once again prepare for a new edition of the Ghent Floralies.

The rhododendron simsii Hortinno® Magisnow Winter Beauty® by Hortibreed NV based in Lochristi, Belgium, won two awards at the IPM international horticultural trade fair in Essen: after winning the "IPM Novelty 2020" award in the category "Flowering indoor plant", it was also elected the most popular novelty by the public.

During Fruit Logistica, 29 suppliers of Belgian potatoes, fruit, vegetables and fruit trees will welcome you to the VLAM stands, which together with Belgian federations and auctions can henceforth be found in the brand-new exhibition hall in Berlin, number 27. VLAM will furthermore be grabbing the spotlight with a new exhibition stand, where you can discover the broad range of products, discuss market opportunities with Belgian exhibitors and enjoy a refreshing Belgian beer with your Belgian trade relations. The place to be: hall 27, stands A07 - A12!