Bedding Plants
Use of Bedding Plants
In the past decade, no other segment of the floriculture production
industry has enjoyed more public interest and use of its product than
bedding plants (annual flowering plants). Bedding plants have become
an indispensable item for landscape use, presenting an array of flowers
and foliage that add color and texture to the landscapes of homes, apartment
complexes, shopping malls, public buildings, city streets and parks.
In addition to bedding plants, perennials have experienced a meteoric
rise in popularity. It is expected the demand for these plants will
increase sharply in the years ahead, as more consumers experience the
benefits perennials provide.
A National Gardening Association survey done by the Gallup Organization
shows that overall, 80 percent of the 93.3 million households in America
(85 million), participated in one or more types of indoor and outdoor
lawn and garden activities in 1990, with each household spending an
average of $284.
Consumer spending on"flower gardening" was $1.68 billion
in 1988 and $2.27 billion in 1990; a 23 percent increase. This was 10
percent of all consumer dollars spent in gardening.
The Bedding Plant Industry
In a move affirming horticulture's growing economic significance, the
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
has created the National Chair for Florist and Nursery Crops Review.
Dr. Henry Marc Cathey, former director of the U.S. National Arboretum,
assumed the post in early September of 1991.
Dean Plowman, ARS administrator, indicates that floral and nursery
businesses are the country's two fastest growing segments of agriculture,
with a combined annual farm value of $8 billion. "They're finally
recognizing the importance and contribution of the floriculture and
nursery industries - the economic impact in terms of product value and
labor dollars," he says."More and more, individual state surveys
are showing that these crops are No. 1 - or at least among the top-value
crops."
There have been significant changes in the floriculture industry the
last 20 years. Perhaps the most significant has been the strong, steady
advance of bedding plants, virtually synonymous with the nation's number
one outdoor leisure activity, gardening. In the total domestic U.S.
commercial flower industry, bedding plants had a 13.5 percent share
of the market in 1970 (shared with fresh cut flowers, potted flowers,
and foliage). In 1979, the bedding plant share had increased to 18.7
percent, and by 1988, was the dominant player in the industry, owning
a 33.7 percent market share.
Bedding plant production in the United States is decentralized and
dispersed rather than being concentrated in a small number of states.
The top 10 states encompassed 71 percent of the total wholesale value
reported by 28 states in 1988. California is the top producer, with
19.7 percent of the total. The other top nine producing states include
(in order) Michigan, Ohio, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, North
Carolina, Wisconsin and Illinois.
Geraniums are the #1 bedding plant, with 19.6 percent of the market,
followed by impatiens (12.2 percent), petunias (9.7 percent), marigolds
(7.4 percent) begonias (5.2 percent), pansies (3.4 percent), salvia
and vinca (each 2.4 percent). Geraniums have dominated the market since
1979 while impatiens have gained a greater share of the total through
the years.
Expectations are high for continued bedding plant market growth. Future
demand will likely increase along with higher disposable incomes, higher
relative market prices for competing items that make bedding plants
a better buy, a continued emphasis on gardening and landscaping, greater
knowledge and sophistication of the public about gardening, and increased
recognition of the therapeutic value of gardening.
It appears that the nineties will show continued inherent market strength
for the bedding plant industry with weather, as usual, playing a large
part in any particular season's success. Entrepreneurs who understand
their customers and can cater to their demands will likely be very successful
in this decade.
Bedding Plants in Ohio and the United States
HYG-1235-88
Jane C. Martin
Information provided by Ohio State University's Extension http://ohioline.osu.edu
