Flower production ranks 10th in nation
Published 5:00 am Monday, May 11, 2009
PORTLAND — Spring blossoms are also sprouting dollar signs in Oregon.
The state ranks 10th nationally for flower production, including tulips and daffodils that can be seen growing in fields off main highways in many parts of Oregon.
About 300 commercial flower growers raise about $145 million worth of cut flowers, potted flowering plants and bedding plants.
California accounts for about 25 percent of the nation’s $4.2 billion production, followed by Florida, Michigan, Texas, and North Carolina.
But the Oregon Department of Agriculture says the flowering plant production in Oregon is a respectable part of a state nursery industry that does $988 million in business annually.