Abu Dhabi expo to showcase growing interest in gardens

The importance of landscaping and gardening will be enhanced by the presence of international companies at an exhibition in Abu Dhabi in November.

The percentage of space per inhabitant allocated to gardens is increasing in the Gulf region and developers are looking to countries like Spain and Italy to source plants.

The landscaping market is now estimated to be worth $16.34 billion and growing according to organisers of Gulf Landscaping at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from 17th to 18th November.

'Prominent companies from Europe, Asia and Africa have confirmed their presence at Gulf Landscaping underlining the show's ability to provide a platform for landscape designers, architects, developers and contractors to network and conduct business,” said Sam Patel, Sales Director of organisers CMPi UAE.

Mr Patel added that the exhibition will serve as a single sourcing platform for the landscaping industry professionals with key buyers from the region. 'Our show is designed to facilitate buyers to select products, services and solutions for the series of major developments in the commercial, retail, leisure and residential sectors, as well as city parks and highways,' he added.

Spain's IBERFLORA and ASFPLANT (Professional Association of Flowers, Plants and Horticultural Technology of the Valencian Community) will represent the Spanish plants market including ornamental growers and fruit nurseries, manufacturers of horticultural technology and gardening tools and machinery.

'The GCC in general has a sizeable percentage of square metres allocated to garden space per inhabitant, making it a truly emerging market of enormous interest to plant producers from Spain,' said Aukje Mulder of IBERFLORA.

The ornamental horticulture sector from the Valencian community accounts for a third of total production in Spain.

Leading Italian organic flower farm, Giardini Toscani in Casentino, Tuscany, will introduce a wide range of flowers. It supplies plants to garden centers, nurseries and garden designers worldwide.

In such a hot climate mulching is vital and South Africa's Bark Enterprises will showcase how mulching provides effective insulation from extreme temperature variations. Mulch remains cool under intense sunlight and prevents the loss of water from soil by evaporation and improves the absorption and percolation of water into the soil.

Landscape architect Adrian Norman of Hong Kong Adrian Norman Design Company will be among those displaying their professional talents in landscaping design at the show.

Owners of one of the largest plant nurseries in the region, Al Ryum Group, has experience in a number of prestigious projects including the Emirates Palace Hotel and the New Abu Dhabi Corniche, and supplies to developers and the public.