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A BRIEF HISTROY OF AUSTRALIAN HORTICULTURAL TRIALS WEEK
A brief history of Australian Horticultural Trials Week
The Australian Horticultural Trials (AHT) has a relatively young history in comparison to the depth of Australia’s horticultural history. Showcasing the best plants and products needed a united effort and in 2001 a group of pioneering industry figures and businesses, conceived Hortivations. They believed there was a missed opportunity by the NGIV to show the broader industry some of the innovations coming out of Victoria, in a format similar the Pack Trials held in the United States.
Hortivations, held at Ball Australia’s former site in Keysborough, was originally designed for multiple businesses to present to the wholesale industry the variety of plants and products available. The coming together of multiple businesses at the one site of Ball Australia, to showcase their products, is testament to the strength and unity of the industry. The shared goals of everyone made the event a success for many years.
In 2016 the Australian Horticultural Trials were conceived. The continuation of the event in a new format, with each business showcasing products on their own site, was predestined, with a rich web of growers, producing innovative and quality products, needing a solid platform from which to showcase to the industry. Fundamentally, both events were designed to promote and drive the new varieties that have been sourced locally and internationally, but also to educate and attract, the industry from across the country, on the extensive network of breeders, both locally and internationally.
The relaxed yet professional environment the AHT participants create each year at their sites is perfect for viewing and learning about the quality plants and products, and doing business, but also for networking with old and new friends from across the country. Everyone is welcome at AHT; from wholesale growers looking for the next product to add to their schedule, to the retailers and the horticultural media searching for the next big thing to hit the shelves, and our landscapes.
We thought we’d ask some of the key figures surrounding Trials Week; What makes the Australian Horticultural Trials Week special?
“Australian Horticultural Trials week provides a great opportunity to see a range of plants from current favourite varieties and those performing well in the Australian market, to exciting new lines from the best propagators and growers in Australia. It is a great time to network with industry colleagues, customers and suppliers from all over Australia and overseas.”
– Symone Brown, Operations Manager, Tissue Culture Australia
“Trials Week keeps our industry connected and extends the opportunity for us to network with our growers and retailers, showcasing the breeding of new varieties suitable for local garden centres and landscapers Australia wide.
Ball Australia has established long standing relationships with international breeders to develop a common objective of bringing the best to the Australian market for the Australia consumer. Overall Ball Australia’s continual goal is to ‘Colour The World’ and our garden trials help us to deliver this.
– Kate Grant, Marketing Manager Ball Australia
“The Australian Horticultural Trials Week is a great way for the industry to visit propagators and see all the new products coming through for the following season. Nurseries can take their key growers/staff out for the day and talk to specialised propagators and get some tips. You always learn something when speaking to fellow ” industry people. Whether it be a growing tip, a new product or a new concept it is worthwhile.
– Matt Curtis, Operations Manager, Majestic Young Plants.
“The Australian Horticultural Trials week is a very special event as it involves, and benefits all involved in Horticulture across the country. It is not only a great stage to showcase innovative new genetics, share trial results, landscaping and retailing ideas and also market trends from across Europe and the US, but is also an excellent event for broadening and strengthening the horticultural network. It is a great opportunity to learn from others, accelerates knowledge sharing and develop partnerships.
It has been good to see individuals, new to the industry, get involved and begin to realise the scope, magnitude and diversity of our industry and the businesses involved.
– Brendan Haar, Haars Nursery
"Australian Horticultural Trials Week is a fantastic opportunity for growers and retailers to view the latest innovations in not only plant breeding but also allied products and technology. This allows attendees to have the latest knowledge and stay abreast with global trends. There are also great benefits of catching with peers from across the industry and visiting some really ” interesting facilities. A week not to be missed if you want to stay ahead of the competition!
– Simon Gomme, Director Powerplants Australia
Visit horticulturaltrials.com to find out more about the Australian Horticultural Trials Week and the 2020 event.
