With the aim of being a part of global change and providing an example to other researchers throughout the world, this paper details how breeding goals of horticultural plants and their application have shifted in Novi Sad (Serbia) in the last 10–15 years. Contemporary cities/citizens strive to incorporate nature into all of their important life segments and activities, thus requiring an interdisciplinary approach to solving challenges that the 21st century brings. Early research in Novi Sad (Serbia) was focused on the basic genetic, physiological, biochemical and botanical aspects of plant functioning and development in a challenging and changing urban environment abundant in abiotic stressors, as well as biotic and abiotic stressors, that affect the production of horticultural plant in this field. Recently, research interest has shifted towards the sustainable usage of plant genetic resources (roses, autochthonous terrestrial orchids, sweet and sour cherry eco-types, and allochthonous oil-rich species), as well as sustainable practices and nature-based solutions (urban-derived biodiesel, rain gardens, green roofs, green walls, constructed wetlands, water ponds, bioswales and permeable surfaces on a different scale of urban planning). This case study aimed to illustrate how plant selection and breeding strategies can satisfy urban growth demands, whereas urban planning must include sustainable genetic resources suitable for urban ecosystems. Available ornamental plant genetic resources (with pronounced tolerance/resistance to abiotic and/or biotic stressors) associated with the novel approach of their application in green city infrastructure provide the opportunity to implement multiple nature-based solutions leading to numerous ecosystem services. Combined, these contribute to the globally defined goals for sustainable development.

Urban horticulture represents a sustainable way of dealing with the challenges of modern cities, including urbanization processes, population growth tendencies, a lack of green areas, environmental pollution and food insecurity. This study aimed to (1) investigate the perceptions of citizens of Novi Sad municipality, Republic of Serbia, toward urban horticulture and (2) assess plant materials appropriate for cultivation in urban gardens and suggest urban spaces completely designed with the use of various forms of edible fruit species, including roses. The same questionnaire was administered with a four-year time gap, in 2019 and again in 2023, before and after the coronavirus pandemic. To investigate plant materials suitable for urban gardening, relevant articles in Google Scholar, Scopus and Web of Science platforms were searched. The questionnaires’ results showed significant differences between the two years concerning respondents’ attitudes toward urban horticulture’s impact on food safety, socialization and personal health and development, which could have been influenced by the pandemic. Vegetables were grown by most respondents, commonly in household yards and gardens. The main motivations for participating in community urban gardens were to grow food for their own consumption and to make charitable contributions, followed by the motivation ‘to socialize and relax’. Exemplary designs of an urban pocket, kindergarten yard and atrium courtyard are presented, providing insights into numerous possibilities for landscaping with fruits.

Botanical gardens serve as vital centers for ex situ conservation, maintaining diverse plant species under controlled conditions. Terrestrial orchids, despite their wide diversity and distribution, often occur in small and declining populations, making their conservation increasingly urgent. This study aimed to examine the potential for establishing the first specialized orchidarium in Serbia, focusing on the native orchid species of the Fruška Gora region. A SWOT analysis, combined with site assessment data, was employed to identify key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, informing the development of a functional zoning plan. The results indicate that such an orchidarium would offer a threefold benefit: strengthening ex situ conservation, advancing scientific research and environmental education, and promoting sustainable tourism. The proposed design consists of eight distinct zones, three of which reflect natural habitats of selected orchid species. The planned integration of a seed gene bank in the central zone, along with living plant collections and a nearby in vitro culture laboratory, establishes a comprehensive framework for the sustainable management of orchid genetic resources in the region, forming a foundation for future research and preservation.

Specialized botanical gardens such as a rose garden, or rosarium, play a significant role due to their multifunctional nature surpassing simple gene bank assembly. Thus, this study conducted a detailed analysis of a rose garden through field and desk research, SWOT analysis, and ecosystem services assessment, aiming to determine the major strengths and opportunities, as well as weaknesses and threats that can promote or constrain the establishment of the first national rosarium in Serbia. After the analysis, the need for complete green area reconstruction arose to achieve both attractiveness and usefulness. Featuring old varieties, wild species, and companies’ own specific rose collections, the proposed garden has the potential to contribute major ecosystem services reflected in environmental, societal, and economic purposes. Owing to the uniqueness of the breeding program and collections created in the past decade, specific thematic parts—open field or greenhouse classroom, ‘roses under the glass bell’, abundant river flow, pollinators’ shelter, taste garden, and scent garden—are envisaged in the future exemplary rosarium that would not be only a classroom but a showroom for interested nurseries, small-scale functional food producers, flower shops, or amateur gardeners that would become aware of new cultivars and expand their marketing and utilization.

Invasive forest pests are often first detected in urban forests, making these environments strategic for early warning and global forest protection efforts. Although early detection is crucial to the success of eradication measures, the surveillance capacity of official authorities is limited. Citizen science can help bridge this gap — provided that citizens are aware of the stakes and prepared to play an active role. In this context, mainstream media may serve as a key channel to raise public awareness. We surveyed mainstream media coverage of 14 native, exotic, and quarantine forest pests across 15 European countries. Our findings reveal a consistent background level of media attention to forest pest issues. While quarantine species are mentioned less frequently than native pests, they are more likely to be covered in countries where they have occurred, remain present, or have been eradicated. Interestingly, we also found references to quarantine pests in countries where they are not officially reported. Altogether, our exploratory research highlights the significant potential of mainstream media to attract public attention to forest health issues—an opportunity that should be more systematically leveraged to support early detection and citizen engagement.