Kenneth D. Cochran
Wojtek Grabczewski
Since the collapse of the Eastern Bloc eight years ago, Poland's nursery industry has gained recognition and status. A recent study (September 1997) involving contacts, observations, and personal visits to Poland's nurseries, arboretums, botanical gardens, and garden centers reveals a positive pattern of growth. Polish nurserymen have realized the importance of plant differentiation, crop specialization, marketing techniques, nursery exhibits for the trade, and public and customer service.
The development of Poland's nursery industry differs from other Eastern Bloc countries because many nurseries were privately owned before the collapse of the Bloc in 1989 (1). More than 70% of Polish land was privately owned whereas other Eastern Bloc countries had a major portion of state-owned and cooperatively worked land. Private nurseries were controlled by the state in that they were told how much they could grow and to whom they had to sell their products (2).
Now, under its free enterprise system, Poland's nursery industry is showing remarkable growth in the production and marketing of ornamental plants. Current observations and studies support this fact.
The five climate regions of Poland compare to the average low-temperature regions of USDA Hardiness Zone 5, 6, and 7. Climates range from the warmest regions of the submontane zone with a growing period of more than 220 days, averaging 24 to 31 inches of precipitation per year, to the eastern zone with a cold continental climate of 190 to 210 growing days (Warsaw has 200) and precipitation of 20 to 27 inches per year (3). The eastern zones can experience more than 90 days with temperatures below 32 degrees F. The record cold temperature of this century was -42 degrees F, and the record high temperature was 112 degrees F.
Basic studies, literature references, and observations show that Poland's nursery industry is collegial, innovative, distinctive, trendsetting, and blossoming. This study was done in conjunction with a Polish nurseryman and is a compilation of numerous contacts and personal visits to nurseries, arboreta, botanical gardens, and garden centers in Poland. Four Polish nurserymen visited Ohio in 1997 during late June and early July, and Ken Cochran visited Poland for 10 days in September 1997.
Many valuable cultivars of ornamental trees and shrubs were selected and propagated in Poland during the last century, but very few of them reached foreign markets (5). Clematis cultivars are an exception. They have been propagated and distributed on a commercial scale outside Poland and are being exported to the United States.
One of Poland's contributions to the edible landscape is the "oversized" crabapple which seems to be commonplace in the country (6). Small trees produce large sweet to slightly tart crabapples, and many trees are disease-resistant. Edible fruits afford a landscape option for the do-it-yourself home owner.
It was interesting to learn that container plants, including liners of conifers, were overwintered without polyhouse structures. Layers of shade fabric cover plants. The fabrics are lightweight, durable, reusable, have a shade factor, are easy to install, and eliminate much of the winter maintenance required by polyhouses.
Many tools and technological advances that are used in Poland originated in Germany, although some Polish nurserymen have developed innovative devices of their own (2). One such device is an aluminum carrier used to transport multiple containers of plants.
Various nurseries in Poland are adding market value to plants by producing plant products with product differentiation. Clematis can have many landscape uses. For example, it can be planted as a ground cover, used to cover beds of spent spring bulbs, or allowed to ramble over lilacs (4). Polish nurserymen realize the importance of the customers' needs and let that input guide their decision.
Many nurseries are specializing in various crops and placing the ultimate marketing decisions in the hands of distribution centers, which purchase a large variety of plants from specialized growers providing customers with a larger selection of plants and services. Nurseries work together as colleagues more than competitors. Poland's nursery frontier is being built on quality, professionalism, overall presentation, prompt delivery, personal service, product range, and value.
A Polish-Dutch venture, Floriall-in Promotions, is a retail marketing concept. It produces leaflets, labels, and display boards with color photography and horticultural information. Currently, the venture owns and operates two garden centers in Poland.
The growth of gardening activities has resulted in the need for various plant forms, such as imaginative standards, because garden space is limited. Nurseryman Stanistaw Zymon capitalized on this trend by growing deciduous azalea standards which allow for under-planting (7).
The trend towards grafted willow standards began six years ago with the pendulous Salix caprea 'Kilmarnock.' Today Polish nurseries market more than 30 cultivars of top-grafted willows which are used in small and large landscapes, rock gardens, patios, and balconies. There is an increasing interest in new species and new forms of ornamental plants that can serve specific landscape needs (3).
The fourth Polish International Nursery Show - "Green Is Life '97'" - was held August 29-31, 1997, at the Warsaw Agricultural University. This important communications effort by the Polish Nursery industry is looked upon as the umbrella for plant promotion.
The show was organized by the Polish Nurserymen's Association, whose objectives are to raise awareness of the nursery industry and to improve standards. While star billing goes to the plants, this show supports various aspects of gardening, including a plant doctor clinic, children's activities, seminars, plant sales, and show gardens. The exhibition is unusual in that it enables both the nursery trade and the public to participate. Leadership from the nursery industry is the reason plants have grown more popular in Poland.
A National Horticulture Exhibition is held each year in September in Poznan during the Polagra Agriculture Fair. The nursery industry is represented at this agricultural and horticultural exposition.
Plant production and marketing in Poland are of fine quality, and nursery personnel are attuned to basic and technological advances.
There is an opportunity and a need for the exchange of horticultural ideas, plants, and practices between Poland and the United States. Trade associations, nurseries, academia, and government personnel in both countries should make an effort to develop a horticultural alliance.
1. MacCarthaigh, Donnchadh. 1991. Developments in the nursery stock industry of Eastern Europe. Comb. Proc. Intl. Plant Prop. Soc. 41:146-149.
2. Conversation with Karol J. Piatkowski, nursery owner, Sompolno, Poland, 62-610.
3. Marcinkowski, Jacek. 1992. The assortment of ornamental tree and shrub nurseries in Poland. Comb. Proc. Intl. Plant Prop. Soc. 42:125-127.
4. Conversation with Dr. Szcepan Marczynski, researcher, lecturer, and Clematis nursery owner, Pruszkow, Poland, 05-800.
5. Marczynski, Szczepan. 1992. New cultivars of ornamental trees and shrubs from Poland. Comb. Proc. Intl. Plant Prop. Soc. 42-128-130.
6. Conversation with Dr. Tomasz Bojarczuk, Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kornik, Poland, 62-035.
7. Zymon Nursery, Stanistaw Zymon, www.Mikrosat.com.pl