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2026 ZPORS annual conference report
At the annual conference of the Association of Ornamental Plant Growers on January 8th 2026, speakers from Slovenia and abroad shared their expertise in planning, management, and horticulture. This year’s theme focused on Contemporary approaches and plant selection to reduce urban heat island effects.
Nejc Florjanc, Assistant Professor of Landscape Design at the Department of Landscape Architecture, Biotechnical Faculty, presented the challenges of translating strategic commitments and regulations for urban greening into planning and implementation. Key guidelines include the European Green Deal, the Nature Conservation Regulation, WHO recommendations, and the 3-30-300 approach, all supporting climate-resilient and livable cities.
He showcased a student project on designing the green system of Izola and Koper, highlighting the importance of treating nature as a core element of cities rather than leftover space. Florjanc emphasized the critical role of preserving soil on construction sites for supporting mature vegetation. Using a student project on the Pivovarna Union case study in Ljubljana, he introduced the urban greening factor, a tool already applied in advanced international cities to evaluate the quality and contribution of green spaces in urban development.
(foto M. Račevski)
Urška Didovič from the Institute for Spatial Policies presented ENVI-met simulations to assess the impact of vegetation types on urban microclimates. She explained the phenomenon of urban heat islands and introduced this innovative tool for their evaluation.
Didovič highlighted multiple studies showing how different types of vegetation vary in their ability to mitigate urban heat island effects. Tools like ENVI-met provide quantitative and visual insights into how vegetation and paving influence local microclimates. She showcased models and examples of greening strategies that support the renovation and integration of permeable surfaces and diverse vegetation forms into urban spaces. Such tools are valuable for assessing both positive and negative impacts of new interventions, as well as monitoring the long-term effectiveness of implemented projects.
(foto M. Račevski)
Czech landscape architect Ondřej Fous from the Třiarchitekti landscape architecture presented Prague and Brno: Cases of Green Space Evolution / Renovation of Public Green Spaces, showcasing the stages of public space renewal in selected cities. He also leads the Ctěnice Castle nursery and has been involved in restoring historic parks and gardens. Many neglected or poorly maintained public areas are gaining new forms and functions, reflecting multiple layers of ecosystem services.
Fous emphasized that communication with the public is essential before any spatial intervention – whether removing a senescent and damaged tree or redesigning park pathways. Through a series of photographs, he illustrated stages of avenue trees and perennial plantings. One notable practice he highlighted is temporary fencing of newly planted perennials, helping users understand the growth process and gradual transformation of plant beds. Another key practice is using high-quality planting material from verified local nurseries, delivered to the site daily, with an emphasis on incorporating bulb plants in public plantings.
(foto M. Račevski)
Dr. Kristine Hamilton, an ecosystem biologist and head of the landscape architecture firm Grüne Werkstatt, shared her expertise at the conference with the lecture Naturalistic Urban Greening Solutions Using Regional and Near-Natural Perennials. She presented practical examples of naturalistic plantings from her work and discussed the challenges of this approach.
Native species are generally more attractive to insects than non-native perennials, but aesthetic appeal and seasonal interest of these plants must also be considered. Public spaces should be designed for the well-being of both people and wildlife. Drawing on years of experience with the Austrian Association of Ornamental Plant Growers, Hamilton demonstrated seed collection techniques and propagation methods, noting that many species germinate poorly on site and are therefore introduced as young plants rather than seeds.
She uses regional perennial mixes for roadside swales, green roofs, rain gardens, and especially school and kindergarten grounds. Interestingly, she advises against including grasses in seed mixes, as they tend to dominate and suppress broadleaf plants. She also highlighted the importance of soil preparation, which should be nitrogen-poor and well-drained, as most native perennials thrive under these conditions. Maintenance approaches are very different from conventional plantings; removal of all cut material is essential to prevent weed and grass overgrowth.
(foto M. Račevski)
Attendance at the conference was high and professionally diverse, with 77 participants, including representatives of nurseries, tree growers, public institutions, spatial planning offices, as well as students from various space-related fields. We invite you to view and save the presentation files!
Text by prof. dr. Valentina Schmitzer
