Retailers looking to stock their nursery benches with plants for the upcoming spring season were spoilt for choice at the recent annual Nursery and Garden Industry Queensland (NGIQ) Expo. NGIQ is the state peak body representing the professional nursery industry. The Expo was held at the Gold Coast Turf Club and Events Centre on July 25th and 26th and is a popular net-working opportunity for industry professionals and media association members https://www.ngiq.asn.au).
Sixty-four exhibitors participated with the standard of greenlife on display truly sensational, both in terms of quality and variety.
The Rudbeckia hirta Sunbeckia range stole the show on the Pohlmans Nursery display. Released in small numbers in 2022, increased stocks should be available within retail nurseries this spring and summer. This striking perennial is perfect for pots or planting in gardens with full sun. Retailing locally for under $30, it is also an economical gift alternative to cut flowers (www.pohlmans.com.au).
Zoom show-cased Petchoa ‘Sunset Orange’ and Petunia ‘Double Blue’ amongst their extensive spring and summer colour range (www.zoomgarden.com.au).
Heatons Nursery displayed spectacular pots of Anthurium ‘Casanova’ (www.heatonsnursery.com.au), while Flemings’ Nursery Qld introduced retailers to Distylium ‘Vintage Jade’ and ‘Cinnamon Girl’ (www.flemings.com.au).
Station Creek Tree Farm provided the wow factor with their display of a mature bottle tree and impressive Xanthorrhoea. (www.australiantrees.com.au).
Bamboo Down Under (www.bamboodownunder.com.au) and Big Leaf Wholesale Nursery (www.bigleaf.com.au) once again impressed with their display efforts.
Rocky Point showcased their new 22L Organic Health Garden Soil. Ideal for pots and raised garden beds, the product was developed in response to demand from consumers keen to grow their own herbs and vegetables in an Australian Certified Organic soil. Bulk supplies are also available (www.rockypoint.com.au).
In addition to greenlife, media and allied products, nursery equipment and accessories, the expo featured the latest information on industry research and projects along with resources available for business improvement. For images and other vision of the event visit https://www.facebook.com/ngiq1 Several NSW and Victorian nursery owners took the opportunity to enjoy our winter sunshine and explore stock options. HMAA members travelling north for their winter break next year might consider attending the event which is held each July on the Gold Coast.
