Greenwood Plants named ‘International Grower of the Year’ at 2024 AIPH awards

Greenwood Plants won three awards, including overall ‘International Grower of the Year’ at the annual AIPH awards, held at IPM Essen, Germany on 24^th January 2024.

The sustainable nursery was entered into the international award following its HTA ‘Peat-free Grower of the Year 2023’ win back in October. Greenwood was shortlisted for the prestigious AIPH awards alongside nine other global commercial growers, from countries such as China, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Portugal.

Greenwood was selected as a winner in three categories, including Finished Plants and Trees, Sustainability, as well as most notably being awarded the prestigious ‘Golden Rose’ as the overall winner.

The award compounds what has already been a landmark year for Greenwood, having reached their target of transitioning to growing 100% in peat-free growing media. In 2023 the company planted more than 2.5 million plants, the highest ever achieved in a calendar year, as well as achieving a record-breaking turnover, with 15% growth compared to 2022. 

Sustainability is at the heart of Greenwood’s growth strategy, built on its Every Plant Matters ethos. It is working to becoming net zero, and has ambitious plans to become self sufficient in water and energy use, reduce the usage of single use plastics, and expand its highly successful G Cycle scheme.

“We are delighted to have won this award, which is testament to the hard work of our G team”, said Managing Director, Melanie Asker. “To have the opportunity to represent the United Kingdom, alongside some of the biggest and most accomplished growers globally, is truly a remarkable achievement.” Melanie attended IPM Essen, during which the winner of AIPH’s ‘International Grower of the Year’ was announced.

The AIPH (International Association of Horticulture Producers) represent growers of flowers and ornamental plants all over the world. Their mission is to reignite and uphold an appreciation of plants that they believe is a basic human instinct. They strive for a world in which humanity, technology, and nature exist in a healthy and stable equilibrium. The International Grower of the Year award was established in 2009 to celebrate industry best practice and recognises the world’s top ornamentals producers. Winners of the Golden Rose award include growers from all over the world, including China, United States, and Canada to name a few.

If you’d like to find out more about Greenwood’s peat-free journey, visit www.greenwoodplants.co.uk/peat-free-growing/