Wednesday, April 15, 2026

gardening

Business FileEditorial

Securing your livelihood through work versatility

By Patrick Regnault

We are working in a very volatile period, politically and economically. Global change is afoot and as business owners, managers and workers we need to adapt to uncertain conditions. Added to that unpredictability is the real threat of climate change.Continue reading

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PlantsTurf

Versatile turf reshapes streetscapes

By Nathan Edwards

In the pursuit of sustainable urban landscapes, local councils are increasingly turning to turf solutions that combine visual appeal with long-term efficiency. Shellharbour City Council’s roundabout redevelopments in Oak Flats and Shellharbour, NSW, provide a striking example of how the right turf selection can deliver lasting benefits for both communities and maintenance teams.Continue reading

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LandscapeScaled design

The fractal advantage: Multiplying niches through scaled design

By Erik van Zuilekom

Nature does not repeat itself randomly. Look closely at a river delta, a fern frond or the branching of your own arteries and you will see the same geometric logic recurring at every scale. When this principle is applied to landscape design, integrated ecologies do not simply persist, they multiply.Continue reading

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Plant PalettePlants

Coffee: A shrub with history!

By Clive Larkman

Living in Melbourne means permanent access to great coffee and a culture of having this staple drink with every meal. However, many people seem to have little knowledge of the plant itself. Plants in the Coffea genus provide the source of the world’s most popular morning drink, as well as some very attractive shrubs.Continue reading

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EditorialEditors editorial

Growing ornamentals, growing opportunities

In this issue of Hort Journal, we celebrate ornamentals and the people who grow, trial and champion them. We also turn the spotlight on women in horticulture, recognising their contribution across production, design and leadership.

My personal taste in ornamental plants leans heavily towards those that are also edible, so potted colour is usually not the first thing to attract my attention.… Continue reading

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LandscapingPlants

What makes a plant beautiful?

By John Fitzsimmons

If our theme this issue is ‘Ornamentals: Beauty that endures’ then surely, we must start by defining ‘beauty’ and that raises more questions than answers. On such a theme, just where do we start? Beauty is a subjective and multi-faceted quality that evokes pleasure, admiration or deep emotional responses.Continue reading

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Business FileEditorial

Running a business is hard – but look at the upside!

By John Corban

Running a business is not easy. The early mornings, the physical work, the constant problem-solving, the pressure of keeping jobs profitable, keeping staff happy and wanting to stay, and ensuring clients are satisfied can wear anyone down. If you are feeling stretched, tired or frustrated at times, that does not mean that you are doing it wrong, it means that you are in the thick of running a real business.Continue reading

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Garden CentresNursery Industry

Will 2027 be the year of amazing opportunity for you?

By John Stanley, Sid Raisch and Dries Jansen

Doubts about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on society are fading as breakthrough after breakthrough becomes reality. What was once speculation is now a demonstrated fact. Technology experts agree on the transformation ahead, differing only on timing and which company announces the next major advancement.Continue reading

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EditorialIndustry News

What grows when women stay

Women, work and belonging in greenlife

By Jennifer McQueen

What keeps women in greenlife? It is not just plants. It is purpose, flexibility, shared knowledge and the quiet strength of community. In this International Women’s Day reflection, women from across Australia share how they found their way into the industry, and why, despite the challenges, they choose to stay.Continue reading

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AdvertorialEditorial

Long-flowering Australian cultivars

By Daniel Fuller

Flowers are highly-functional green infrastructure. Beyond looking pretty, they can support both at-risk urban ecological communities and pest-suppressing insects such as hoverflies and micro-wasps. However, with gardens becoming smaller, it is harder to obtain a full spectrum of flowers throughout the year.Continue reading

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