Last year, as the demand was growing and due to the drought, the shortage of thuja was observed, which, most probably affected the increase in their prices. Costs of fruit plant producers also increased as a result of the drought. The area of decorative plants has been stable for a long period of time, however, mild fluctuations of certain product groups have been observed – the costs of grafts has increased over the last years, meanwhile leaved hedging plants have become cheaper.
Didzis Bērziņš, the grower of wintergreens and the manager of Bērziņi agricultural farm recognises that people increasingly gravitate towards seeking something new, and previously unseen: “Wealthy people tend to visit markets themselves more frequently and purchase plants themselves, event if they have plantation designers and gardeners. There are more and more customers, who find it important to buy a large plant “today”, irrespectively of the fact that it can be more expensive.” He recognises that the winter has been mild and sparing, not only due to weather conditions, but careful overwintering of the plants in the autumn. Agricultural farm Bērziņi has provided different interesting news for the visitors of Plant Parade, for instance, flowering sea kale ( Crambe cordifolia) – a summer flowering plant with especially fragrant flowers; common garden peony ‘Chocolate Soldier’ ( Paeonia lactiflora), which is characterised by its very dark flower colour, etc.
The representative of the grower of fruit trees and berry shrubs, agricultural farm Liepas, Eduards Smiļģis tells that this year interest in plants is higher than las year: “The early spring and the experience of previous years, which demonstrates that the stock of potted plants can expire, makes people move faster in their gardens even at the end of March. The interest for the forms of edible rowan has increased considerably, meanwhile recent warm winters and well overwintered exotic trees, for instance, peaches, promise good crops.” Like wintergreen growers, he also says that almost everything has survived the warm winter. When talking about novelties, Eduards points to demand for family tree plants having several varieties in one tree, including the beautiful peaches grown in Latvia, meanwhile in summer, the farm Liepas will offer several varieties of gooseberry.
The owner of Pīlādži agricultural farm J;anis Zilvers tells that the sales of fruit trees and berry shrubs is declining, and explains that by the possibility of buying fresh berries and fruit all year round, furthermore, the times of large jam and jelly reserves are also in the past. Nevertheless, the wish to pick a fresh fruit directly from a tree or shrub growing in one’s garden has not disappeared. J. Zilvers also refers to the warm winter without serious temperature fluctuation, however, he notes that hares and mice were more active in damaging the trees. You will find a wide range of apple trees, low and sweet cherries, a varied selection of rowans, including an especially decorative variety Dodong.