Hort Journal Australia (2026)

12/06/2026

📖 The June 2026 issue of Hort Journal Australia is now available — and it is our final issue.

For almost two decades, Hort Journal Australia has shared industry knowledge, innovation, research and stories from across Australian horticulture. This final edition looks both backwards and forwards, celebrating the people who built the magazine while exploring the ideas shaping the future of our industry.

🌿 𝘼 𝙛𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙪𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙃𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙅𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝘼𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙖 by former editor Karen Smith
A heartfelt reflection on the magazine's journey, the friendships formed along the way, and the contribution Hort Journal Australia has made to the horticultural community.

🤖 𝙂𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙩 𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙣𝙏𝙚𝙘𝙝 by John Fitzsimmons
A tour of the latest innovations showcased at GreenTech 2026, including artificial intelligence, robotics, automation and emerging technologies designed to help growers work smarter.

🌱 𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚'𝙨 𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣: 𝙎𝙚𝙡𝙛-𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 by Erik van Zuilekom
Could nature itself provide the blueprint for more resilient production systems? Erik explores biological processes, beneficial microbes and ecological design as practical tools for growers.

📸 The cover image features the intricate beauty of a passionfruit flower (𝘗𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘢 𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘭𝘪𝘴), photographed by Ludovic Vilbert, Inwardout Studio.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to, supported and read Hort Journal Australia over the years.

26/05/2026

The International Plant Production Society - Australia 2026 conference is underway at Westland Nurseries near Hobart with Angus Stewart leading the way

21/05/2026

📖 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮

Our latest issue tackles the theme, 'Growing underground: understanding what lies beneath', exploring the soil, systems, supply chains and structural thinking supporting our plants.

Here are some of our key features:

𝗠𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 (p. 5)
Editor Gabrielle Stannus takes a detailed look at this year’s show gardens, industry innovations and the ideas shaping horticulture’s public face.

𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀 (p. 11)
John Fitzsimmons provides an in-depth analysis of fertiliser supply, fuel volatility and global logistics, and what growers must prepare for in the months ahead.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 (p. 30)
Michael Casey from Evergreen Infrastructure explains why structurally installed landscapes demand engineering rigour as well as horticultural vision, and what the Plant Futures garden teaches us about integrated design.

𝗕𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝘆, 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 (p. 40)
Patrick Regnault from Interactive Landscapes shares his reflections on soul, intention and meaning in contemporary garden design, and why purpose matters as much as planting.

From global supply networks to the structural systems beneath urban greening, this issue examines the visible beauty of our parks and gardens and their hidden foundations.

📖 Read the full issue: https://hortjournal.com.au

14/05/2026

📖 The May 2026 issue of Hort Journal Australia is now available

This month’s theme - Growing underground: Understanding what lies beneath - explores the unseen systems that underpin our industry.

From subterranean fungi to global fertiliser supply chains and engineered biofilters, this issue looks below the surface to reveal what truly sustains plant production and urban landscapes.

Here is what you will find inside:

🍄 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙞𝙙𝙙𝙚𝙣 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙫𝙚𝙨𝙩
Caleb Roberts from Daleys Fruit Tree Nursery takes a deep dive into Tuber melanosporum - the black truffle - and what it takes to establish a successful truffle orchard in Australia.

📈 𝙂𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣 𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨
John Fitzsimmons analyses fertiliser supply volatility, fuel pressures and how the greenlife sector is adapting to global instability.

💧 𝙃𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙘𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙣 𝙬𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙧
Daniella Gerente from City of Kingston - Municipal Government explains how its raingarden renewal program is pairing evidence-based plant selection with practical horticultural leadership to improve water quality outcomes.

What lies beneath, in soil structure, nutrient cycles and infrastructure, ultimately determines what flourishes above.

📖 Read the full issue: https://hortjournal.com.au

📸 Front cover: Gerberas (Image: Ludovic Vilbert of Inwardout Studio).

20/04/2026

📖 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮

This month’s theme, Biosecurity: Protecting our industry and livelihoods, runs strongly throughout the issue — and the contents page gives you a glimpse of the depth and diversity of coverage.

Here are some of the key features:

🌏 𝗔𝗜𝗣𝗛 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘆𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 (p.5)
A global perspective on the future of horticulture, sustainability and biosecurity as heard at the International Association of Horticultural Producers - AIPH Sydney meeting.

🔍 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘆: 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗽𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝘀𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 (p.10)
Celeste Cook from Greenlife Industry Australia - GIA explores how practical, everyday adjustments can significantly strengthen nursery biosecurity systems.

🧪 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗶𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 (p.18)
The University of Queensland's new research shows how dsRNA-based sprays travel through plants, potentially transforming root-level pest control.

🌿 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 (p.28)
Michael Casey from Evergreen Infrastructure explains why careful horticultural management is essential for living walls in shared indoor environments.

Plus much more - from grant writing to retail nursery marketing strategy.

📖 Read the full issue: https://hortjournal.com.au

14/04/2026

🌿 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲!

This month’s theme, 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲: 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬, highlights the vital role biosecurity plays in safeguarding Australia's horticulture sector—from nurseries to landscapes and beyond.

Here’s what’s featured on the cover:

🌏 𝐀𝐈𝐏𝐇 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐲𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: Our editor, Gabrielle Stannus, reports on key global insights shaping the future of horticulture, including biosecurity, climate resilience, water management, and evolving market trends.

📈 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐅𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐬: John Corban, the Landscapers Coach, explores how a leading landscape business achieved long-term success through strong systems, financial clarity and integrated service delivery.

🔍 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐲: 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐩𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐬𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠: Celeste Cook from Greenlife Industry Australia - GIA shares practical, easy-to-implement biosecurity strategies that help nurseries reduce risk, improve plant health and strengthen business performance.

📸 The stunning cover image, capturing a bee in action and reflecting the importance of protecting our ecosystem, was photographed by Ludovic Vilbert of Inwardout Studio.

📖 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐰:
👉 https://hortjournal.com.au

18/03/2026

🌿 The March 2026 issue of Hort Journal Australia celebrates ornamentals and the people who grow, trial and champion them.

𝙒𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙖 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙨: Celebrating International Women's Day, this issue also focuses on women in horticulture across production, design and leadership, highlighting their contributions to the industry and the opportunities still ahead.

Russell Larke from the Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation shows how this organisation has been 𝙂𝙍𝙊𝙒𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 in his story following a team of First Nations women designing and building a rainforest garden at Fed Square.

Gabrielle Stannus from Inwardout Studio interviews Jac Semmler from Super Bloom, who shares her bold vision for planting design, expanding species diversity, embracing climate resilience and reimagining the role of plants in our public and private spaces in 𝙅𝙖𝙘 𝙎𝙚𝙢𝙢𝙡𝙚𝙧: 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖 '𝙁𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙋𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧' 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣.

📖 Read the March issue now:
👉 hortjournal.com.au

📷 Front cover: 𝙋𝙚𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙖 Amazonas® ‘Plum Cockatoo’ (Image: Gabrielle Stannus, Inwardout Studio).

19/02/2026

🌱 Are independent garden centres ready for what is coming next?

In the February issue of Hort Journal Australia, we share the first article in a new year-long series: 'Reinventing the independent garden centre' by John Stanley Associates, Sid Raisch and Dries Jansen.

It asks some big (and necessary) questions:

• Why have some independent garden centres stalled while other retail sectors reinvent themselves every few years?
• What can they learn from experiential retail?

What struck me most was the reminder that retail cannot stand still. Other sectors overhaul their models every 5–7 years. Meanwhile, many garden centres still look and operate much as they did a decade ago.

This series will explore how independent centres can evolve, not just through branding or product range, but through experience, relevance and long-term strategy.

If you are a garden centre owner, manager or buyer, this one is worth your time, and it is just the beginning.

📖 Available in the February issue of Hort Journal Australia

More to come throughout 2026.

👉 Subscribe here: https://hortjournal.com.au/plans/hort-journal-subscriptions/

– Gabrielle Stannus (Editor) 👩🏻

Garden Centres of Australia Independent Garden Centres - IGC

12/02/2026

🌿✨ Here’s a sneak peek inside the February 2026 issue of Hort Journal Australia!

This month’s contents page (pictured here) captures four standout stories, from cutting-edge research to inspiring design, that show the diversity and innovation shaping our industry today.

📖 𝘼𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙣 𝙃𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙡𝙨 𝙒𝙚𝙚𝙠: By our editor, Gabrielle Stannus
From compact, climate-ready plants to automated propagation systems, Nursery & Garden Industry Victoria's Trials Week showcased the latest genetics, technology, and teamwork driving Australian nursery innovation.

🌆 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙪𝙧𝙗𝙖𝙣 𝙛𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙙𝙚𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙬𝙚 𝙫𝙖𝙡𝙪𝙚 𝙨𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙚: By Michael Casey, Evergreen Infrastructure
Urban farming’s potential hinges on how cities plan, price and prioritise productive landscapes. Michael explores why valuing space differently could redefine resilience in our built environments.

🌱 𝙁𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙛𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙜𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣: 𝙈𝙞𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙆𝙪𝙨𝙝𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙣'𝙨 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣 𝙟𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙮: By Gabrielle Stannus, Inwardout Studio
Emerging Designer of the Year, Mitchell Kushturian from Exotic Living, shares how family influences, craftsmanship, and a love of plants shaped his award-winning work and how curiosity keeps his practice evolving.

🍋 𝙐𝙣𝙡𝙤𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝘼𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙣 𝙘𝙞𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙨: By Natalie MacGregor, The University of Queensland
PhD researcher Joel Johnson is uncovering the nutritional secrets and commercial potential of Australia’s six native citrus species, paving the way for new opportunities in food and plant science.

➕ Plus more inside!
👉 Read the February issue now at hortjournal.com.au

09/02/2026

🌞 Welcome to a new year in horticulture!

The February 2026 issue of Hort Journal Australia celebrates a fresh start with the theme 𝙀𝙙𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙨: 𝘽𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙮 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙥𝙪𝙧𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙚, exploring how edible and ornamental plants can work harder across our cities, landscapes and production systems.

🌾 Clive Larkman from Larkman Nurseries Pty Ltd unpacks 𝙎𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙗𝙪𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 tracing the fascinating global evolution of these hardy halophytes and their role in both revegetation and contemporary horticultural design, from foraging and flavour to biodiversity and climate resilience.

🌱 Chris Williams from The University of Melbourne reframes 𝙀𝙙𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙥𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙘 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙢, outlining practical models for councils, horticulturists and designers to integrate productive, culturally inclusive plantings into multifunctional public open spaces.

🍋 Natalie MacGregor from The University of Queensland reports on 𝙐𝙣𝙡𝙤𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝘼𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙣 𝙘𝙞𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙨, showcasing research led by PhD candidate Joel Johnson that’s uncovering the nutritional, genetic and commercial potential of Australia’s native citrus species, from resilience traits to new food-sector opportunities.

📖 Read the February issue now:
👉 hortjournal.com.au

📷 Front cover: Leucospermum 'Cordelia' at the Australian Horticultural Trials Week (Image: Ludovic Vilbert, Inwardout Studio)

Hort Journal Australia

12/06/2026

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