China: "Garden economy can stimulate horticultural diversity"

The World Garden Show launched its 2025 edition on April 27th in Haining, Zhejiang Province, China. Since its inception in 2018, the event has grown significantly, attracting participants from over 20 countries, including the United States, the Netherlands, France, Spain, and Germany. The show aims to spotlight the latest flower varieties in China, share insights on market trends, and foster exploration of new business opportunities.

The World Garden Show includes two parts: the Summit and the Flower Show. This year's Summit featured speakers from around the world addressing evolving trends in the gardening sector. With China's growing interest in home gardening—a shift from traditional landscaping uses—the industry faces the challenge of adapting to consumer preferences for plants that enhance living spaces.

Mike Samilian, who once worked as VP of Speedling Inc., one of the largest nurseries in the United States, is now retired and continues to work with Canadian companies. He shared insights on the development of substrates.

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Mark Schermer of Syngenta highlighted the company's expansion in China's flower market, while Lee Parks, a designer at AECOM Consulting Company, presented "Sensing the City: Planting Design for People, Place, and Nature," exploring sustainable urban green spaces amid rapid urbanization.

Hendi Wernet, a Polish-American entrepreneur active in the international flower market, has lived in Kunming, China since 1995 and introduced many new flower varieties to China. She emphasized consumer demand for compact, fragrant, and fast-growing plants, noting how the "garden economy" could diversify horticulture in China.

Weerdenburg Wilhelmus Nicholas, a Dutch horticulture expert and former consultant at the Sino-Dutch Center in Shanghai, analyzed the dynamic evolution of the Netherlands' horticultural industry.

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Jiang Shengde, Chairman of Hongyue Company, detailed China's flower variety introduction process. As a horticultural leader, Hongyue has partnered with global breeders to bring thousands of varieties to the Chinese market.

Qiu Yamin, a top e-commerce influencer with over 10 million social media followers, showcased her garden brand "Hey Dear," which has sold millions of plants online. She highlighted current consumer preferences.

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Additional speakers, such as Hanzhi, a designer pioneering urban indoor farms, demonstrated how controlled-environment agriculture can integrate greenery into restaurants and offices. Experts from Spain and other Chinese provinces also discussed strategies to align the horticulture industry with China's urban and environmental goals.