Vitroflora and Alkemade select future spring perennial stars at Greenhats

In recent years, the spring perennial market has clearly shifted from small 9–12 cm pots toward larger 17 and 19 cm formats. Responding to this trend, Vitroflora offers a range of high‑value perennial mixtures for April and May, designed specifically for larger containers and reliable spring sales.

© Vitroflora

To identify future key varieties, the sales teams of Vitroflora and Alkemade met at Greenhats in Straelen, a trial station located in the heart of German horticulture. The meeting focused on assessing spring-performing perennials in terms of visual quality, production security and market appeal.

© Vitroflora

The trials combined well-known tissue culture propagated plants such as Geum and Polemonium with innovative cutting-raised, mildew-resistant Phlox, as well as striking early-flowering Salvia and Silene. Special attention was given to varieties offering uniform growth, strong presentation in larger pots and high durability at the point of sale.

© Vitroflora

The event confirmed the growing importance of spring perennials as a stable and less time-critical alternative to annual plants, offering longer shelf life, greater flexibility for garden centers, and contributing to overall sustainability through reduced waste and more efficient production cycles. Several varieties proved to be strong commercial performers, while others were selected as promising candidates for future market development with sustainability considerations in mind.