This month had some of us from Loma Vista Nursery traveling to Columbus, Ohio for Cultivate’26, presented by AmericanHort, the leading national association for the U.S. green industry.
Trade areas, encompassing about eight acres of exhibit space, hosted more than 663 global exhibitors. Displays included plant genetics, heavy commercial machinery, soil innovations, pots, greenhouse automation tools and cutting-edge irrigation systems.
AmericanHort’s signature logo arches welcomed upwards of 10,000 industry professionals to its Cultivate’26 in Columbus, Ohio.
The adjoining conference featured more than 160 educational sessions, presentations and interactive classes with comprehensive tracks in greenhouse, nursery, landscape, garden retail and business management.
Cultivate’26 also offered keynote and special presentations as well as countless networking opportunities.
Christine Cashen, motivational speaker during the Women in Horticulture luncheon.
Among them, the always popular Women in Horticulture luncheon featured Christine Cashen as keynote speaker. Each year, the event’s program connects and uplifts female professionals across all fields of the green industry.
A Certified Speaking Professional and Certified Virtual Presenter, Cashen is the award-winning author of “The Good Stuff” and “It’s Your Business.” She offered strategies for managing burnout, controlling morning momentum and reducing stress. Two key takeaways: prioritize hydration over caffeine and limit early morning screen time.
Engaging tulip “tree” promoted a summer-blooming variety.
Located in the main lobby, ForemostCo’s tulip “tree” was designed as a welcoming centerpiece.
Individual potted Curcuma (Siam Tulip) plants were arranged in color-blocked layers, with dark pink at the bottom and white at the top. The tree was designed to showcase the company’s tropical, summer-blooming variety.
AmericanHort’s Lionel van der Walt provided an industry overview.
In his new role as AmericanHort president and CEO, Lionel van der Walt provided his State of the Industry address, offering association updates and his vision for the professional trade association. He emphasized workforce development and highlighted plans to expand professional associations across the supply chain.
He said our industry’s professionals are its greatest asset. He applauded network and mentorship opportunities, such as Seed Your Future. Dedicated to promoting horticulture and inspiring careers in plant-related fields, the national movement offers career exploration tools, scholarship databases, STEM classroom science lessons and more.
Innovative exhibits provided new ideas for engaging clients and customers.
In its display, Masterson’s Garden Center, located in East Aurora, NY, highlighted the critical role honeybees and pollinators play in American life and in the horticulture industry. The quirky, geodesic dome featured bright orange panels and honeybee accents.
The exhibit was designed to inspire garden centers to incorporate interactive pollinator experiences in their retail spaces.
Dr. Charlie Hall presents the industry’s keynote address.
“Morning Jolt! Keynote” during Cultivate’26 once again featured Dr. Charlie Hall, AmericanHort’s chief economist, and professor and Ellison chair in international floriculture at Texas A&M University.
During his presentation, Hall said that while average transactions are up within the industry, the frequency of customer visits has declined post-pandemic. Meanwhile, rising operational costs for fuel and freight are reducing profit margins.
Hall said a slowdown in the housing market is directly decreasing demand for plants and landscaping products. For a copy of Hall’s full presentation, visit the Cultivate’26 Sessions Portal.
Movement is the point of this garden vignette from AmericanHort and HortScholars.
Colorful garden hoses were whimsically woven through a curvature framework, implying movement in this trade show display titled “These Plants Are Going Places.” Hanging ferns, bright red and yellow watering cans and a cozy blue Adirondack chair added bold but gentle grace to the green space.
This unique display was designed and built by AmericanHort volunteers and HortScholars. Following Cultivate’26, plants were donated to Columbus, Ohio nonprofits to support the city’s green community.
The “Coaching Corner” provided opportunities for mentorship and career development.
Cultivate is an all-encompassing industry conference and trade show. Each year, the event assembles the pillars of the green industry under one roof for four consecutive days.
The event’s experience offers many opportunities for networking and career development. Specifically set aside for this purpose, comfortable seating areas in the “Coaching Corner” made it easy to recharge and talk shop with colleagues, mentors and acquaintances.
This display celebrated the vital role of our industry’s work in the American way of life.
The Indiana-based Hamilton County Extension Homemakers and the Hamilton County Master Gardeners designed and built this display for their Hamilton County 4-H Fair. Its explosion of color honors 250 years of United States horticulture, agriculture and community gardening.
The display visually connected grassroots traditions and today’s commercial plant industry. Its intent was to remind Cultivate’26 attendees—and fairgoers at home—that although times may change, the beauty and vitality of our landscapes and gardens still rely on the passion of local growers.
About Loma Vista Nursery ‒ Midwest Wholesale Plant Grower
Celebrating 35 years in business in 2026, Loma Vista Nursery grows a variety of perennial plants, shrubs and trees for garden centers, landscape contractors and wholesale distributors.
Explore our website to meet our sales representatives, learn more about Loma Vista Nursery’s processes, plant varieties and business values. For help with orders or plant-related questions, please call (785) 229-7200 or send an email to sales@lomavistanursery.com. Our team of plant experts, will be happy to answer questions and provide information about the reliable varieties we grow.
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