75 percent of domestic-flowers grown in California

Washington—With Mother’s Day approaching, the Senate has passed a resolution introduced by Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer (both D-Calif.) to recognize the U.S. cut-flower industry and increase public awareness of domestically-grown flowers. Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-Calif.) has introduced a companion resolution in the House of Representatives.

U.S. consumers spend around $25 billion per year on floral products. While 58 percent of consumers would prefer to buy domestically-grown flowers, 74 percent do not know where the flowers they buy are produced, according to a report from the California Cut Flower Commission.

California produces 75 percent of domestically-grown flowers, including tulips, gerbera daisies, lilies, irises and gladiolas, and accounts for 20 percent of all flowers sold in the United States. While cut-flowers are grown primarily on the Central Coast, the industry supports approximately 10,000 jobs throughout California.

“Americans will spend more than $2 billion on flowers this Mother’s Day. If more of those dollars are spent on flowers produced in California, it will greatly benefit our state’s hardworking growers, many of whom are on the Central Coast,” said Senator Feinstein. “We know that Americans want to support local businesses and increasing consumers’ awareness about the flower industry will encourage them to look for that “certified American grown” label.”

“Two-thirds of Americans buy flowers on Mother’s Day, but few of us stop to think about who grew those flowers or how they got into the bouquet. As we honor our mothers and loved ones this Mother’s Day, I hope we also take the opportunity to support the hardworking Americans who help make it possible by buying domestically grown flowers,” said Congresswoman Capps. “The domestic cut flower industry not only provides us with beautiful tulips, daisies, and lilies to share with those closest to us, but it is also a key economic driver for the Central Coast and California, and the entire nation.”

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