What will be the true bestsellers for the upcoming gardening season? At the Spring Edition of PLANTARIUM|GROEN-Direkt (February 3-4), the ‘Visitor’s Favourites’ take centre stage. These innovations stand out not only for their novelty but, above all, for their immediate availability to the trade.
Upon entering the trade fair, visitors are immediately introduced to the cream of the crop in product innovation. The unique concept of the Visitor’s Favourites combines innovation with commercial power: all nominated plants can be purchased directly in sufficient quantities.
Voting with the green ball
Visitors decide for themselves who wins the coveted Green Retail Award for Visitor’s Favourite. Using the well-known green balls, they can vote for their favorite newcomer. The winner will be announced at the end of the fair.
The nominees for Spring 2026
The organization has selected the following contenders, partly based on their significant added value compared to the existing assortment:
- Agapanthus 'Lady Lauren'® – Agapanthus BV
- Baccharis 'Coral Wave' – Van der Peijl Tuinplanten
- Buddleja Butterfly Candy® 'Little Bubblegum' – Van Son & Koot
- Buxus Newgen® – Van Vliet New Plants BV
- Helleborus Frostkiss Rhythm Pink – Kwekerij Verboom BV
- Lomandra longifolia Miner’s Gold – Hoogeveen Plants
- Loropetalum chinense 'Black Pearl'® – Kwekerij Roos
- Nerium oleander 'Evolution'® – GROEN-Direkt Boskoop
- Pericallis POP Epic Cerise – Beekenkamp Plants
- Symphoricarpos 'Little Berry' – Joh. Stolwijk en Zn.
- Viburnum x 'NCVX2' Yin® – Van Son & Koot
Directly available for the trade
Unlike many other trials, the Visitor’s Favourites focus on immediate marketability. During the fair, the novelties can be ordered directly from the exhibitors at their stands and via the GROEN-Direkt sample layer fair. This makes the event the ultimate starting point for an up-to-date spring assortment in garden centers.
Looking ahead: Autumn Fair and KVBC Awards
While the focus is currently on the Spring Fair on February 3 and 4, registration for the Autumn Fair (August 26 and 27) is already open. During the autumn edition, in addition to the Visitor’s Favourite, the prestigious KVBC Novelty Awards will take place, as well as the judging for the 'Best Market Innovation'. Innovations can be registered via news@plantariumgroendirekt.nl.
