Vision

Association of Ornamental Plant Growers of Slovenia (ZPORS)

The Association of Ornamental Plant Growers of Slovenia was established with the aim of professionally connecting all those involved in the production of ornamental plants in Slovenia. Unfortunately, this sector of horticulture is highly fragmented and strongly reliant on imports—not only of reproductive materials but also of final plants. This is evident across all areas of ornamental plants, including cut flowers and seasonal plants (annuals, biennials, and bulbs), perennials, and woody plants. In particular, plants that are planted to provide long-term aesthetic and ecosystem functions are often imported from less suitable environments. The result is questionable winter hardiness, inadequate growth, and loss of plants in plantings.

Domestic production of ornamental plants can provide suitable plant material that will grow successfully in our climate and better adapt to the evident climatic changes that are upon us. Increasing domestic production while simultaneously maintaining and improving the quality of ornamental horticulture can be more effectively achieved through cooperation, and through the sharing of information and knowledge among ornamental growers, spatial planners, decision-makers, contractors, and maintenance professionals. The association also serves as a focal point for these connections.

The primary goal of the association is to promote high-quality domestic production of ornamental plants and to increase the competitiveness and visibility of Slovenian growers. This can be achieved through a professional approach in all segments of production: propagation, cultivation, and marketing of plants. The association ensures the transfer of knowledge to growers, encourages professional discussion and debate, and cooperates with relevant institutions. It represents the interests of its members by working with ministries, institutes, and chambers with the aim of standardizing the activity and contributing to the development of laws and secondary legislation in the field of seeds and planting material in ornamental horticulture.

We remain in continuous contact with scientific and professional organizations, such as faculties, vocational institutions, secondary and higher education schools. We cooperate with institutes, municipalities, spatial planners and maintenance sector. We organize professional conferences, field visits, and trials, which are co-designed with our members and based on their initiatives. At the annual conference we organize in January, we ensure up-to-date and high-quality professional content, including contributions from international experts in the fields of production, planning, implementation, and landscape maintenance.