Every year, the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) brings the global industry together to honor growers who set new standards in responsibility, research, and commercial excellence. The International Grower of the Year Awards (IGOTY) remain one of the most respected recognitions in the ornamental world, celebrating companies that influence the direction of horticulture through innovation, sustainability, and community value.
The 2026 edition has attracted remarkable entries from across the globe, reflecting the diversity and rapid changes in the sector. Ten companies have reached the final round, each representing a different strength within the world of cut flowers, young plants, finished plants, trees, and sustainable production. Their stories highlight how growers are adapting to new market expectations while building systems that support people, land, and sustainable horticultural growth.
Understanding the AIPH International Grower of the Year Awards
The International Grower of the Year Awards were established to recognise the highest standards in ornamental horticulture. Organised by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) with founding partner FloraCulture International (FCI), the Awards honor growers who combine commercial performance with responsible practice and leadership within their regions.
Finalists are evaluated across four categories. These are finished plants and trees, young plants, cut flowers and bulbs, and sustainability. From these categories, one company will ultimately receive the Gold Rose. Since 2009, the Awards have helped highlight the work of producers who influence the global horticultural landscape and contribute to the future of plant and flower production.
The Jury for the 2026 Awards
The jury for the 2026 edition brings together seven industry leaders drawn from different regions and areas of expertise. Their backgrounds span scientific research, commercial management, sustainability leadership, and breeder partnerships. This ensures that the selection process remains well-balanced and rooted in an understanding of both production realities and environmental needs.
The jury includes the Vice President of AIPH, university professors with extensive research portfolios in horticultural science, senior executives from award-winning nurseries, and past winners of both the Gold Rose and the Young International Grower of the Year. They evaluate finalists on economic performance, innovation, market insight, sustainability, and human resource policies. Their combined viewpoints reflect the direction global horticulture is taking and the qualities required to succeed within it.
Meet the 2026 Finalists for the IGOTY Awards
Ten companies have reached the finals of the 2026 International Grower of the Year Awards. They represent the breadth of the industry, from large-scale rose farms in East Africa and Asia to family nurseries in Europe and research-driven seed producers in China. Their work highlights the adaptability and continuous improvement guiding modern horticulture.
Chengdu Yimei Horticultural Technology Development Co., Ltd
Chengdu Yimei Horticultural Technology Development Co., Ltd is a grower based in Chengdu in Sichuan province, an area that has been investing in the gardening economy and eco tourism. The company has been named a finalist for the 2026 International Grower of the Year Awards, a recognition that reflects its commitment to innovation, responsible production systems, and steady advancement in China’s ornamental sector. As one of the ten companies shortlisted on the global stage, Chengdu Yimei represents the growing strength of horticultural businesses in regions that are shaping new opportunities for domestic and international markets.
Fitoralia
Fitoralia is a Spanish company specialising in certified plants for hobby and urban gardening across formats suited for small and large living spaces. The business supplies household gardeners and professionals with a wide collection of ornamental and edible plants produced under recognised environmental certification. Its approach makes plant growing accessible while maintaining strong environmental awareness. As a finalist for the 2026 edition, Fitoralia demonstrates how responsible production and consumer-focused innovation continue to shape European horticulture.
Flores El Capiro S.A.
Flores El Capiro S.A. is based in the Antioquia region of Colombia and is one of the leading global exporters of cut chrysanthemums. The company supplies markets that include the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, and Australia. It is also certified as a B Corporation, a reflection of its commitment to sustainability and community wellbeing. The company supports thousands of families and is carbon neutral. As a finalist for the 2026 Awards, Flores El Capiro stands out for combining export leadership with strong values and a clear long-term vision.
Herburg Roses Group
Herburg Roses Group operates large-scale cut rose farms in Ethiopia and Kenya and is listed among the finalists for the 2026 International Grower of the Year Awards. In Ethiopia, the business spans around forty hectares in Batu town, south of Addis Ababa, and exports close to one hundred and ten million stems each year, while in Kenya, the group farms around sixty hectares at Nini Roses and supplies roughly one hundred and twenty-five million stems to European retail markets.
The company produces under Fairtrade certification and places strong emphasis on responsible production and community welfare. Within the group, Holla Roses in Ethiopia recently received recognition at the Royal FloraHolland Sustainability Award, where it secured second place for its circular waste system that converts all green waste into compost, vermicompost, and biogas.
Hillier Nurseries Ltd
Hillier Nurseries Ltd is a family horticultural business established in 1864 and headquartered in Hampshire in the United Kingdom. The nursery is recognised as the largest grower of semi-mature trees in the country and produces close to one million plants each year at its sites in Hampshire. It also grows hundreds of thousands of British trees in field and container systems. Hillier has invested heavily in responsible growing methods, including peat-free production and efficient water recycling. As a finalist for the 2026 Awards, the company represents the strength of heritage combined with modern sustainability practice.
Jiuquan Lanxiang Horticultural Seedling Co., Ltd
Jiuquan Lanxiang Horticultural Seedling Co., Ltd is based in the Suzhou District of Jiuquan in Gansu province and has built one of China’s largest germplasm resource collections for herbaceous plants. The company was established in 2006 and now manages more than three thousand seven hundred varieties. Its annual production reaches hundreds of tonnes, and exports cover major global markets. The company integrates horticulture with local tourism and regional development, contributing to the economic growth of western China. Its presence among the finalists highlights the rising influence of research-based horticulture in Asia.
Kisima Farm Ltd
Kisima Farm Ltd is located on the foothills of Mount Kenya at a high altitude of two thousand four hundred metres and began flower production in 2001. The farm grows roses in greenhouses across eighteen and a half hectares and runs outdoor production on four hectares for crops such as delphinium, helianthus, matthiola, and craspedia. Its environmental work includes harvesting rainwater, recycling irrigation water, and treating wastewater through a natural constructed wetland. The company employs more than four hundred people and supports gender equality and community development. Kisima recently received three awards at the Kenya Flower Council Pinnacle Awards for its wetland system, its Gold Certified Farm status, and its community partnership programme. These achievements strengthen its position as a finalist for the 2026 Awards.
Kwekerij Dirk Mermans
Kwekerij Dirk Mermans is a Belgian nursery located in Wommelgem, near Antwerp, and is recognized for its leadership in indoor plant production. The company operates under the Plant Lovers brand and is known for cultivating rare and high-quality houseplants as well as developing hydroculture solutions. With five generations of family experience, the nursery has combined tradition with modern technology and responsible sourcing practices. Its selection as a finalist for the 2026 Awards reflects the strong position it holds within the European ornamental plant market.
Longchi Mudan Industrial Co., Ltd
Longchi Mudan Industrial Co., Ltd is located in the Mudan District of Heze in Shandong province and is one of China’s leading producers of peonies and related ornamental crops. The company integrates breeding, cultivation, and large-scale production and serves both domestic and international markets. Its role within China’s growing horticulture sector continues to expand, and its shortlisting as a finalist for the 2026 Awards highlights the increasing global presence of Chinese growers in ornamental plant innovation.
Yunnan Holyflora Horticulture Co., Ltd
Yunnan Holyflora Horticulture Co., Ltd operates across Yuxi and Chuxiong in Yunnan province and extends into Gansu. The company grows fresh-cut roses and produces preserved flowers for both domestic and export buyers. Its mission centres on bringing the beauty of flowers to global markets through consistent quality and product diversification. As a finalist for the 2026 Awards, Holyflora represents the growing energy of Chinese ornamental horticulture and its ability to align research, commercial production, and international demand.
What This Finalist Group Represents for Global Horticulture
The 2026 finalists reflect a horticultural world that is more diverse, interconnected, and quality-driven than ever before. Companies from China, Europe, Africa, and Latin America bring distinct strengths that include advanced growing programmes, water-efficient systems, responsible labour practices, community investment, Fairtrade production, and environmentally conscious innovation.
Their stories illustrate how horticulture is evolving through new technologies and deeper commitments to social value and environmental care. Together, these finalists demonstrate that the industry can expand while supporting people, biodiversity, and local economies.
What Happens Next?
The winners of the 2026 International Grower of the Year Awards will be announced on 27 January 2026 during a dedicated ceremony at IPM Essen in Germany. The event will bring together growers, suppliers, breeders, researchers, and international media to celebrate leadership and excellence in horticulture. Finalists will join global partners and sponsors in recognising the influence their work has on future generations of growers and the continued growth of the ornamental sector.
The International Grower of the Year Awards 2026 bring worldwide attention to companies that move horticulture forward through dedication and responsible growth. This year’s finalists exemplify excellence shaped by innovation, environmental care, economic resilience, and community value. Their work enriches the global industry and reinforces the importance of recognising growers who challenge themselves to produce better, cleaner, and more meaningful horticultural outcomes.
Header image by @Horticulture Connected.
