Monday, March 16, 2026

Shade Trees

Careers & EducationProfessional Development

Emerging leaders: Equipping the nursery industry for tomorrow

By Jennifer McQueen

The nursery industry, like the world around it, is changing fast. Businesses face thorny challenges, from biosecurity incursions and climate impacts to politics, shifting markets and new technologies. At the same time, staff expectations are shifting. People want to learn, grow and take on responsibility.Continue reading

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Environment & Sustainabilityfungal pathogen

A plant-based solution to a wicked problem

By Tex Moon

Within the Australian Garden at Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne, the Dry River Bed precinct has undergone a remarkable transformation that redefines both the aesthetics and ecological function of native plant landscapes. Once dominated by dense woody shrubs, this 3,300m² curved and sunken space served as a structural and visual link between the Red Sand Garden and the Eucalypt Walk.Continue reading

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Research & Development

The Rose Project

By Kim Syrus

Many Australian growers have investigated alternative ways to produce field roses grown on their own roots. Unfortunately, the results of these ventures have, in the main, been less than successful. Aware that rose growers in both the United States and Europe have successfully transitioned portions of their crop to cutting-grown plants, I applied and was awarded a Hort Innovation Churchill Fellowship.Continue reading

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Business FileEditorial

Record keeping for Australia’s R&D Tax Incentive

What horticulture SMEs need to know

By Tania Harman and Daniel Knox

Small and medium growers in Australia’s horticulture industry often invest in innovation. The R&D Tax Incentive (R&DTI) can refund a significant portion of these R&D costs (a 43.5 per cent refundable tax offset for eligible small companies), but to benefit, you must maintain strong records.Continue reading

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Business FileEditorial

Bouncing back from business setbacks

By John Corban

Setbacks are an inevitable part of a business. A challenge can feel discouraging when they happen unexpectedly. However, the ability to recover, learn, and stay motivated during tough times often separates resilient business owners from those that struggle.Continue reading

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Careers & EducationProfessional Development

How a small Gippsland nursery gained $30k with levy-funded training

By Jennifer McQueen

Urban Tree Growers in Gippsland is a small nursery with big ambitions. When one of their longest-serving team members was preparing to retire, owners Beth and Chris Dunne knew they needed stronger systems to keep the nursery on track.Continue reading

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LandscapeLandscape event

Plants at work in a play space

By Gabrielle Stannus

Who recalls the bruised knees and torn skin from the asphalt jungles of their childhood? I certainly do! That is why, despite having only designed a couple of play spaces myself (which are yet to be built!), I retain a keen interest in the works of others in this space.Continue reading

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EditorialNursery Papers

Greener Spaces Better Places

Retail Nurseries and Greenlife

Can a simple sticker on a plant pot encourage Australians to grow with more confidence?

That’s exactly what a new industry-backed retail engagement trial set out to explore. With early signs pointing to increased engagement and enthusiasm, the results offer promising insight into how education
at point-of-sale might be the key to long-term category growth.… Continue reading

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EditorialNewsbuds

Australian Horticultural Trials Week returns this December

The 2025 Australian Horticultural Trials Week will take place from Tuesday 2 – Friday 5 December, showcasing the latest innovations in plant breeding, production and allied horticultural products across multiple, dynamic exhibitor sites.

Exhibitors this year include Anthony Tesselaar Plants, Ball, Carawah Nursery, Fleming’s, Garden City Plastics, Haars Nursery, Helix Australia, ICL, JD Propagation, Mansfield’s Propagation Nursery, Norwood, Peninsula Growers, Powerplants, Proven Winners, Syngenta, and Greenhills Propagation Nursery/Touch of Class Plants, with more to be announced.… Continue reading

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Plant PalettePlants

Best-selling strappies and grasses 2024-25

By Daniel Fuller

Ozbreed has analysed sales data on all grasses and other strappy monocot sales from the last financial year to shortlist the best-selling varieties based on number of units sold. This information can help wholesale and production nurseries add heavy-hitters to their stock lists.Continue reading

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