Gardens and gardeners as a contribution to peaceful co-existence

10th International Perennial Plant Conference
receives more international visitors than ever before

The International Perennial Plant Conference had never had such an international line-up before: to mark the 10th anniversary, the organiser Anja Maubach welcomed 101 participants and 8 speakers from 14 countries to Grünberg. As Maubach explained in her greeting, parks and gardens and also the activities of gardeners make a contribution towards peaceful co-existence in the current political situation. “We need more gardeners”, is her motto – and it should also be possible to reach nurseries on foot in every city.

For 10 years, focussing passion on plants and their habitats in natural and cultural landscapes has certainly led to friendly solidarity with an intense professional exchange in the international perennial plant community. Christian Kress from Austria reported on Russian phlox varieties, while Sven Nürnberger showed the possibilities of cultivating perennial plants from remote parts of the world in the heart of the city with the Palmengarten in Frankfurt. The species Salvia, with its great diversity, was represented passionately by Frank Fischer. Jo Bogaerts from Belgium spoke about plants in their natural habitat from cape to cape. The fantastic images spoke for themselves. Dan Benarcik, USA, presented Chanticleer Garden, which is impressive in its exquisite design and layout. A great deal of inspiration for the design of this project was derived from nature and implemented individually. Linnea Oskarsson from Sweden reported on a research project in Sweden: as part of “plant heritage”, perennial plants were collected that were grown in gardens until 1940. In this way, it was possible to create an extensive perennial plant gene bank. These classic perennial plants are, in turn, particularly offered in the current product range of perennial plant nurseries.

Troy Scott Smith reported on the new approach to energising the garden at Sissinghurst. Due to the high frequency of visitors and the expectations of the public, the spirit of the location dissipated. With a great deal of courage and sensitivity, the original spatial modalities are now being restored for a living garden that invites people to visit again and again through space and time.
For the participants, one evening offers the possibility of presenting projects, developments and ideas with perennial plants in brief contributions.

As a member of the executive board of the International Hardy Plant Union, Aad Vollebregt thanked the organisers and gave them a perennial plant specially chosen by Prof. Cassian Schmidt. As the initiator of the conference, Georg Uebelhart received the pioneer plant Achilllea filipendulina ‘Bisch kek Gold’. His successor Anja Maubach was given the long-lasting and resilient Cistus laurifolius. As the leader and thus host at Bildungsstätte Gartenbau, Matthias Hub was given the stress-tolerant Euphorbia characias ‘Restonia’.

The 11th International Perennial Plant Conference will be held from 9th-11th February 2018.