Industry Survey of the...
Industry Survey of the Native Wildflower Market in Florida
Authors: Philip J. Kauth 1 and Hector E. Pérez 1
1 Plant Restoration and Conservation Horticulture Research Consortium, Environmental Horticulture Department, University of Florida, PO Box 110675, Gainesville, FL 32611-0675
Native plant sales have increased steadily during the past decade because of consumer concern with invasive plant sales, water conservation, and land management issues. However, native plants are still under-used mostly because of a small market and the lack of education on the use and care of native plants. For example, native plant sales in Florida accounted for only 11% of the total horticultural market in 2005. Within the Florida native plant industry, a small, but competitive market focuses on native wildflowers, but a paucity of information related to opportunities within this segment exists. We sent surveys to 137 members of the Florida native plant industry to learn about their interests, concerns, and trends in the native wildflower market. Survey respondents identified low demand, seed supply, and availability of desired species, plus insufficient customer and industry education as major factors limiting Florida native wildflower (FNW) sales. An overwhelming majority predicted that sales for locally produced FNWs would increase over the next 5 years. Respondents also stated that seed germination, seed storage, and seed production research are vital for the advancement of the industry. This survey provides an excellent opportunity to analyze the current native wildflower market and identify areas to help increase awareness of FNWs.
The horticulture industry, specifically in Florida, has been one of the fastest growing industries in the United States (Hodges, 2011). For example, total horticulture industry sales in Florida, which includes wholesale nurseries ($1.46 billion), horticultural retailers ($1.75 billion), and landscape services ($2.70 billion) increased from $5.9 billion in 1997 to $15.2 billion in 2005 (Hodges and Haydu, 2000, 2006). In 2008, wholesale nursery industry sales value in Florida was estimated at $3.52 billion (Hodges, 2011). With support from the federal government, state agencies, and private organizations, the use of native plants has been a growing segment in the horticulture industry (Executive Order 13112, 1999; National Wildlife Federation, 2007; Peppin et al., 2010; Richards et al., 1998; Tamimi, 1999). In 2004, native plant sales comprised 13% of total horticulture sales in the United States (Brooker et al., 2005). Native plant sales accounted for 19% of total plant sales in Florida during 2008 (Hodges, 2011).
Water management issues (Potts et al., 2002), land restoration and management practices (Curtis et al., 2005; Peppin et al., 2010), concerns about invasive ornamentals (Gagliardi and Brand, 2007; Yue et al., 2011), and landscape architects' demands and recommendations (Brzuszek and Harkess, 2009; Brzuszek et al., 2007) are major influences on native plant sales. Although gaining in popularity, native plants are still under-used because of a small market, nurseries with limited production and capital, higher prices for plant materials, lack of familiarity with native plants, and the misconception that natives are not as ornamental as nonnatives (Norcini, 2006). Of these concerns, lack of knowledge and education regarding the use and identification of native plants is a major concern for both the industry and consumers (Brzuszek and Harkess, 2009; Peppin et al., 2010; Pérez et al., 2010; Potts et al., 2002).
Within the native plant industry, a small market focuses on the sale of annual and perennial wildflowers (Pérez et al., 2010). In Florida, native plant industry members typically produce and grow FNWs from seeds. Native wildflowers and seeds, in turn, are often used for revegetation, restoration, erosion control, and highway beautification projects (Harper-Lore and Wilson, 2000; Lowery, 1983; Milstein, 2005; Pérez et al., 2010). The wildflower industry has not only become popular in the last 30 years, but the industry is highly competitive (Milstein, 2005). From recent conversations with industry members, major concerns limiting the FNW market include lack of shared knowledge, concerns about plant material origin and source, and seed-processing issues. The purpose of this survey was to learn about the native plant industry's attitude toward native wildflowers. Specifically, we were interested in the industry's knowledge about FNW propagation and production via seeds as well as the current and future trends for native wildflowers.
We developed a 24-question survey (Table 1) for native plant nurseries in Florida. A total of 137 potential survey participants were identified through the Association for Florida Native Nurseries (AFNN) Native Plant Directory, The AFNN Guide for Real Florida Gardeners, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension Services (Vasquez and Haynes, n.d.), and Alabama Cooperative Extension System for Florida panhandle growers (Alabama Cooperative Extension System, n.d.). The sample of 137 nurseries represents all nurseries listed in the previously mentioned directories. We mailed 97 paper surveys to potential participants on 10 Feb. 2011. To facilitate survey returns, we included a postage-paid business reply envelope in each mail out. In addition, we offered the survey to 40 participants of an AFNN workshop in Kissimmee, FL on 28 Jan. 2011. We emailed the survey 2 d before the workshop and instructed participants to bring the survey to the workshop. To avoid duplication of survey results, we asked workshop participants to complete the paper delivered survey only if they had not returned the e-mail survey. The questions on the paper survey and e-mail survey were identical. In total, we sent 137 surveys. We sent a reminder e-mail to survey recipients on 28 Feb. 2011 (Dillman, 2000).
Questions included in the 2011 survey of native wildflower producers in Florida.
We provided definitions of FNWs, seed conditioning, certified seed, and genetic origin for the survey participants. We defined FNWs as annual or perennial herbaceous species indigenous to Florida (Pérez et al., 2010). We defined seed conditioning as "processing seeds to remove unwanted material or contaminants such as pathogens, weed seeds, debris, and poor quality seed" (Black et al., 2006). Certified seed was defined as "seeds produced under strict seed standards to maintain seeds free of debris and prohibited weed seeds" (Black et al., 2006). Finally, we defined genetic origin as the location where the native plant material was first collected. The survey included five areas pertaining to the native plant industry: 1) business demographics, 2) FNW offerings, 3) aspects of seed propagation and production, 4) limitations and concerns in the industry, and 5) future trends.
We measured respondents' level of agreement or disagreement to survey questions using a five-point Likert-type rating scale. Additionally, we asked open-ended questions about definitions and seed-processing methods. Excel (version 12; Microsoft, Redmond, WA) was used to generate frequencies, contingency tables, and conduct Pearson's chi-square test of the response data. Answer frequencies and sample sizes were calculated for each question. Questions without responses were not included in the calculations creating an uneven sample size for some questions. The MULTINOM procedure of SAS (version 9.1; SAS Institute, Cary, NC) was used to compare the probabilities of all response levels and to generate all pairwise comparisons. The Bonferroni adjustment was applied to the intervals of pairwise comparisons and hypothesis tests to achieve a simultaneous 95% confidence level.
Of the 137 surveys sent, 51 were returned (37.2% response rate). Thirty were returned by standard mail (22.9% response rate), and 21 were returned from the workshop participants (52.5% response rate). Of the businesses solicited, 93 were members of AFNN, 50 were members of the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association (FNGLA), and 45 were members of both organizations.
About 35% of the survey respondents stated they have been involved in the native plant industry for more than 20 years, while only 6.1% had been involved less than 1 year (Table 2). Survey participants served multiple roles in the industry, but most classified themselves as growers (76.0%), sellers (54.0%), wholesale businesses (66.0%), and/or retail businesses (50.0%). The majority of the nurseries were less than 10 acres in size (71.7%). About 32% reported total gross revenues under $25,000 from plant sales, but ≈21% had sales between $50,000–100,000 and over $500,000 (Table 2).
Demographic profile of Florida native plant producers involved in the Florida native wildflower (FNW) plant market during 2011.
FNW questions.
Almost 57% of the survey respondents indicated their nursery stock consisted of 81% to 100% native FL plants, and 78.4% offered FNWs. These values were significantly different from remaining responses (Tables 3 and 4). Of the businesses that offer FNWs, 51.5% indicated that 0% to 10% of their total nursery stock were FNWs. The majority of businesses obtain their FNWs from on-site collections (78.0%), wild collections (61.0%), or in-state growers (48.8%) and seed producers (48.8%). Several nurseries obtained FNWs from either out-of-state growers (4.9%) or seed producers (14.6%) (Tables 2 and 3). On-site purchases accounted for 67.6% of sales, while private in-state organizations made up 37.8% of sales. Other customers included landscapers, restoration consultants, and city, state, and county governments. We asked participants to identify their top five selling FNWs. Respondents listed 46 species as the top selling FNWs, but firewheel (Gaillardia pulchella), dune sunflower (Helianthus debilis), tropical sage (Salvia coccinea), leavenworth's tickseed (Coreopsis leavenworthii), and powderpuff (Mimosa strigillosa) garnered the most responses (Table 2).
Proportion of plant inventory devoted to Florida native plants and native wildflowers (FNW) estimated by Florida native plant producers in 2011.
Proportion of Florida native plant producers that offer Florida native wildflowers (FNWs) in 2011 and their habits related to collecting, storing, and conditioning native wildflower seeds.
Seed-related questions.
About 34% indicated that 81% to 100% of their FNWs were seed-grown, while only 10.5% of respondents had a small portion (0% to 10%) of seed-grown FNWs (Table 3). A majority (56.9%) collected their own seed supply with 100% of respondents collecting seed by hand. Only 6.9% of respondents used a mechanical harvesting system. Many respondents (54.9%) indicated that they store wildflower seeds. Only 27.5% of respondents indicated that they condition their own seeds. About 61% of respondents indicated that seed conditioning provided some degree of value (mean = 3.8 on a scale of 1–5 with 5 being high value) to wildflower production, while 13.2% indicated that conditioning added little value (Tables 4 and 5). About 47% of respondents classified an ecotype as living within the region. However, respondents did not provide a definition of region. Only 10.4% were unconcerned about the genetic origin of their plant material, while most were either concerned (22.9%) or very concerned (33.3%) (Table 5). A majority (54.0%) also indicated they were willing to purchase certified seed over noncertified seed up to a 50% premium. While some respondents (41.0%) were likely to purchase certified seed at an 80% to 100% (mean = 2.76 on a scale of 1–5 with 5 being most likely to purchase) premium, more were not likely (52% ± 3%) to purchase certified seed at this price point (Table 6).
Florida native wildflower producer seed collection methods, definition of ecotype, concern with genetic origin of plant material, and opinion regarding added value of seed conditioning and future trends in the Florida native wildflower (FNW) market in 2011.
Likelihood of Florida native wildflower producers to purchase certified seed given a specific percent increase in price over noncertified seed (n = 37)
Current trends.
We identified eight factors that influence the FNW market and asked respondents to rate these factors (Table 7). Very few respondents expressed concern about high material costs, lack of knowledgeable labor, or demand outpacing supply. Most were concerned with low demand (56.4%) and seed supply (53.8%), lack of desired species (76.9%), customers' unfamiliarity with FNWs (62.5%), and customer confusion about what constitutes "native" (64.1%). Of these factors, respondents rated the lack of desired species (mean = 4.03 on a scale of 1–5 with 5 being serious limitation) as the most serious limitation to the FNW market. Pairwise comparisons revealed that responses to the question of species availability categorized as being a serious limitation or a limitation were significantly different from responses categorized as being of little or no limitation (Table 7).
Potential limiting and nonlimiting factors to the native wildflower market identified by native plant producers (n = 39) in Florida during 2011.
We also asked participants to provide rate scores for factors they feel would help increase FNW production and sales (Table 8). Of these factors, respondents were least concerned with lower prices, while education of both the public and industry rated highly. Respondents identified public (76.7%) and industry (70.5%) education as very important factors. These responses were significantly different from responses grouped into the remaining categories. Only 11.6% responded that lower prices were very important to promote FNWs, but 32.6% said lower prices were not important. A statistically significant majority of respondents indicated that reliable seed sources and accurate labeling were very important factors. Nearly 40% and 30% thought seed germination research and new species development, respectively, were very important factors. The former response being significantly different from responses categorized as being of little or no importance. About 23% did not identify new species development as important (Table 8).
Importance of factors identified by native plant producers (n = 39) in Florida during 2011 that are expected to increase production and sales of native wildflowers.
Twenty percent of respondents indicated that seed conditioning, breaking seed dormancy, testing seed viability, and maintaining seed viability were very difficult (Table 9). However, 51.4% and 50.0% said that maintaining seed viability and breaking dormancy, respectively, had some level of difficulty. About 49% thought that finding buyers was difficult or very difficult. Very few thought any of the factors were easy or very easy, but 32.3% thought that seed germination was easiest of the factors.
Florida native plant producer opinion regarding the relative ease or difficulty of finding buyers and application of various seed technologies to native wildflower germplasm during 2011.
Future trends.
We asked the participants about their expectations of the FNW industry over the next 5 years. Fifty percent expected FNW seed production to increase, and 23.8% expected production to increase rapidly or stay the same. Only 2.4% expected production to decrease. No respondents thought production would decrease rapidly. Almost 59% indicated that the need for locally produced FNWs was very important over the next 5 years. Only 4.4% foresaw little or no need for local FNW production. A majority indicated that the nine areas of research listed were important or very important. Of these areas, respondents gave seed germination (85.4%), seed storage (80.5%), and increasing both seed (82.9%) and wildflower (84.6%) production the highest scores (Tables 5 and 10).
Table 10.
Florida native plant producer opinion on important areas of research and future trends related to the Florida native wildflower market during 2011.
Open-ended questions.
We asked survey participants to provide answers to several open-ended questions including definitions of a FNW and seed quality and their methods for storing and conditioning seeds (Table 11). Most respondents defined a FNW as a wildflower found in Florida before the arrival of Europeans or a plant indigenous to Florida. Seven respondents included herbaceous in the definition, and three specifically stated that a FNW is a native flowering plant that attracts wildlife. Six respondents included adaptation to its ecosystem or natural area as criteria for a FNW.
Responses of Florida native plant producers involved in production of Florida native wildflowers (FNWs) to open-ended definition and seed-processing questions. Values in parentheses represent total responses.
When asked to define seed quality, most included high viability as the top criteria (Table 11). High germination, true to type, and weed/debris free were also popular answers. Four respondents defined quality seed as fresh. Only 14 responded with methods for conditioning seeds. Four condition seeds by hand, four use a series of sieves, and two use mechanical or air cleaning devices to condition seeds. Finally, we asked the respondents how they store FNW seed (Table 11). Fourteen store seeds in paper bags, while six use plastic bags or containers. Twelve refrigerate seeds, while eight store seeds at room temperature. Five respondents indicated that they store them dry (Table 11). Only five indicated the length of time they store seeds ranging from 2 months to 5 years.
As indicated by Florida native plant producers, the results of this survey revealed several limiting factors for the FNW market including: 1) education of customers and the industry, 2) accuracy of labeling, 3) reliability of seed sources, 4) need for new market development, and 5) availability of desired species. Although the FNW market is small and localized, the growing demand for native plant materials, in general, provides a solid avenue to promote the sale and use of FNWs.
Over half of the survey respondents indicated that 81% to 100% of their stock is Florida native plants. In a survey of southeastern U.S. nurseries, Brzuszek and Harkess (2009) reported that native plants comprised only 20% of nursery stock, but nurseries in Texas indicated 21% to 40% of their stock was native. In our study, we specifically targeted the native plant industry, so the large percentage of native plant offerings is not surprising. A large majority of the nurseries in our study offer FNWs as a component of their native plant sales, but FNWs only comprise a small percentage of the native plant market. This low percentage reflects the low availability of FNWs given that only five species comprised ≈48% of FNW offerings. We were surprised that new species development was not highly rated as an important factor to further the FNW market, but the industry indicated that the availability of desired species was important. We were also surprised that commercialization of new species did not rate as highly as other areas of research, such as seed processing.
The low FNW offerings could simply be due to demand. In our study, industry indicated that low demand was a limitation, and almost half of the survey respondents indicated that finding buyers was difficult or very difficult. Low customer demand has also been reported as a limitation in the native plant market in the southeastern United States (Brzuszek and Harkess, 2009; Brzuszek et al., 2007). Demand seems to be a regional issue. High demand is rather common in western states because government agencies purchase a large portion of native plant material for restoration purposes. In our study, only 19.4% of the respondents indicated that government agencies purchased material, while Brzuszek and Harkess (2009) found that government purchases only comprised ≈4% of sales in the southeast. In contrast, governmental agencies comprised 36% of sales in Utah during 2000 (Hooper, 2003), and the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service were the top two customers in western states during 2006 (Lynn et al., 2008; Peppin et al., 2010). Dunne and Dunne (2003) also noted that governmental purchases of native plant material increased from 30% to 75% from 1990 to 2000.
Although demand may be low, our survey indicates that native nursery businesses do not rate price highly as a limitation. Yue et al. (2011) found that customers were willing to pay more for native/noninvasive plants compared with nonnative or invasive plants. In addition, Curtis et al. (2005) reported that ≈31% of Nevada homeowners were willing to pay 20% more for plants labeled "Nevada Grown."
In our survey, accurate labeling or indicating that plants are native was considered a very important factor for helping to increase production and sales of FNWs. Several native plant groups have seen more customer interest due to labeling plants as native (Curtis et al., 2005; Meyer, 2005; Yue et al., 2011). The "Nevada Grown" label is a government sponsored program that is third-party certified (Curtis et al., 2005), while "Utah's Choice" program is marketed by the Intermountain Native Plant Growers Association (Meyer, 2005). In contrast, Brzuszek and Harkess (2009) and Waterstrat (1997) indicated that ≈50% of the nurseries they surveyed did not label plants native, while only 21% of those surveyed by Brzuszek and Harkess (2009) did provide native plant identification on containers.
Low seed supply could also be affecting the FNW market in Florida. About 54% of the survey respondents indicated that a low seed supply limits the market, while 82% indicated that a reliable seed source was crucial for the sales and production of FNWs. A reliable seed supply may be a regional concern considering only 27% of nurseries in northern Arizona region considered availability a limiting factor (Lynn et al., 2008). Only 8% of nurseries in the Colorado Plateau region considered seed supply the most important limiting factor (Peppin et al., 2010). Given that many nurseries grow FNWs from seed, creating a reliable seed source is critical. While many collect seeds from their own on-site crop, the small FNW inventory of many nurseries could be responsible for an unreliable seed supply.
About 50% indicated that seed conditioning, breaking dormancy, testing seed viability, and maintaining seed viability were difficult or very difficult. Considering that over 50% of the respondents collect and store their own seed, we were not surprised that industry considered these important areas of research. While many nurseries in our study do not condition their own seeds, ≈61% considered conditioned seeds valuable to the FNW market. Industry members indicated that they were likely or very likely to purchase certified seed at a 50% price increase over noncertified seed. Jones and Young (2005) and Lynn et al. (2008) contend that the development of native seed certification policies will ensure that demand is being met.
Not only has demand for native seeds increased but also demand for locally sourced native plant material. Over half of the survey respondents were concerned or very concerned with the origin of their plant material. This is a rather low percentage compared with the 93% who were concerned with locality in a study by Peppin et al. (2010). Our survey indicates that lack of knowledge regarding ecotypes is not a concern: almost half classified an ecotype as a plant within the region. This is an appropriate definition according to Hufford and Mazer (2003) who defined ecotypes as "distinct genotypes (or populations) within a species, resulting from adaptation to local environmental conditions; capable of interbreeding with other ecotypes or epitypes of the same species." Although respondents in our study indicated a concern for using locally adapted plant material, 20.0% purchase FNWs from out-of-state growers and producers. Although this is concerning, the percentage is much lower than the 44% of growers the Great Basin or Colorado Plateau who purchase from out-of-state producers (Lynn et al., 2008). Several authors have discussed the genetic implications of using seeds of domesticated wildflowers or seeds from nonlocal sources for restoration and conservation purposes (Broadhurst et al., 2008; Johnson et al., 2010; Jones and Monaco, 2009; Lesica and Allendorf, 1999).
As in Peppin et al. (2010), many respondents in our study indicated that local environmental conditions such as soil type, climatic conditions, and topography all influenced ecotypic development. The lower concern for ecotypes in our study could be due to cost of production or lack of availability. Peppin et al. (2010) reported that 50% and 22% of their survey respondents indicated that lack of availability and cost, respectively, prohibited buying and using local genotypes. However, over 80% of our survey respondents thought that the need for local FNWs in the next 5 years was important or very important. This reflects a similar trend as reported in Peppin et al. (2010) that 87% of buyers and 80% of producers recognized the need for local genotypes.
To successfully implement and promote a native wildflower or native plant market, education of both consumers and the industry is crucial. In our survey, 91.0% and 93.0% of the respondents indicated that education of industry and public, respectively, were very important or important for the FNW market. Brzuszek and Harkess (2009) reported that ≈54% of nurseries in the southeastern United States indicated that better consumer education would help increase native plant sales. In addition, Woosaree (2000), Meyer (2005), Peppin et al. (2010), and Pérez et al. (2010) all suggested that educating consumers on the use of native plants would bring awareness to the native plant market.
In Florida, native plant industry members have high expectations for the market. Creating and maintaining partnerships among growers, government agencies, educators, and researchers are necessary to promote better marketing and educational programs (Curtis et al., 2005; Lynn et al., 2008; Meyer, 2005; Pérez et al., 2010). In addition, strengthening the wildflower grower cooperative in Florida, similar to the Intermountain Native Plant Growers Association (Meyer, 2005), could aid in generating a reliable seed supply of both in demand and rarer FNWs. Although adoption and promotion of native plant use has been somewhat slow in the horticulture industry, consumers are willing to purchase native plants (Gagliardi and Brand, 2007; Yue et al., 2011). By educating consumers and the industry about FNWs, a stronger demand can be created that will continue to increase the FNW market.
Alabama Cooperative Extension Systemn.dWatershed and Stream Restoration in Alabama: General Information5 May 2011. <http://www.aces.edu/waterquality/streams/general.htm>.
Alabama Cooperative Extension Systemn.dWatershed and Stream Restoration in Alabama: General Information5 May 2011. <http://www.aces.edu/waterquality/streams/general.htm>.)| false
BlackM.BewleyJ.HalmerP.2006The encyclopedia of seeds: Science, technology and usesCABIWallingford, UK
Black,M.Bewley,J.Halmer,P.2006The encyclopedia of seeds: Science, technology and usesCABIWallingford, UK)| false
BroadhurstL.LoweA.CoatesD.CunninghamS.McDonaldM.VeskP.YatesC.2008Seed supply for broadscale restoration: Maximizing evolutionary potentialEvol. Applications1587597
Broadhurst,L.Lowe,A.Coates,D.Cunningham,S.McDonald,M.Vesk,P.Yates,C.2008Seed supply for broadscale restoration: Maximizing evolutionary potentialEvol. Applications1587597)| false
BrookerJ.EastwoodD.HallC.MorrisK.HodgesA.HayduJ.2005Trade flows and marketing practices within the United States nursery industry: 2003Tennessee Agr. Expt. Sta. Southern Coop. Ser. Bul. 404.
Brooker,J.Eastwood,D.Hall,C.Morris,K.Hodges,A.Haydu,J.2005Trade flows and marketing practices within the United States nursery industry: 2003Tennessee Agr. Expt. Sta., Southern Coop. Ser. Bul. 404.)| false
BrzuszekR.F.HarkessR.L.MulleyS.J.2007Landscape architects' use of native plants in the southeastern United StatesHortTechnology177881
Brzuszek,R.F.Harkess,R.L.Mulley,S.J.2007Landscape architects' use of native plants in the southeastern United StatesHortTechnology177881)| false
CurtisK.CoweeM.SlocumS.2005Nevada wildland seed cooperative feasibility assessmentUniv. Ctr. Econ. Dev., Dept. Resource Econ., Univ. of NevadaReno, NV
Curtis,K.Cowee,M.Slocum,S.2005Nevada wildland seed cooperative feasibility assessmentUniv. Ctr. Econ. Dev., Dept. Resource Econ., Univ. of NevadaReno, NV)| false
DillmanD.2000Mail and internet surveys: The tailored design method.2nd edWileyNew York
Dillman,D.2000Mail and internet surveys: The tailored design method.2nd edWileyNew York)| false
DunneR.DunneC.2003Trends in the western native plant seed industry since 1990Native Plants J.48894
Dunne,R.Dunne,C.2003Trends in the western native plant seed industry since 1990Native Plants J.48894)| false
Executive Order 131121999Invasive species5 May 2011. <http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=1999_register&docid=99-3184-filed.pdf>.
Executive Order 131121999Invasive species5 May 2011. <http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=1999_register&docid=99-3184-filed.pdf>.)| false
GagliardiJ.A.BrandM.H.2007Connecticut nursery and landscape industry preferences for solutions to the sale and use of invasive plantsHortTechnology173945
Gagliardi,J.A.Brand,M.H.2007Connecticut nursery and landscape industry preferences for solutions to the sale and use of invasive plantsHortTechnology173945)| false
Harper-Lore,B.Wilson,M.2000Roadside use of native plantsIsland PressWashington, DC)| false
HodgesA.2011Production and marketing practices in the Florida nursery industry, 2008Dept. Food Resource Econ., Florida Coop. Ext., Inst. Food Agr. Sci., Univ. of FloridaGainesville, FL
Hodges,A.2011Production and marketing practices in the Florida nursery industry, 2008Dept. Food Resource Econ., Florida Coop. Ext., Inst. Food Agr. Sci., Univ. of FloridaGainesville, FL)| false
HodgesA.HayduJ.2000Economic impact of Florida's environmental horticulture industryJ. Environ. Hort.18123127
Hodges,A.Haydu,J.2000Economic impact of Florida's environmental horticulture industryJ. Environ. Hort.18123127)| false
HodgesA.HayduJ.2006Economic impacts of the Florida environmental horticulture industry in 2005Dept. Food Resource Econ., Florida Coop. Ext., Inst. Food Agr. Sci., Univ. of FloridaGainesville, FL
Hodges,A.Haydu,J.2006Economic impacts of the Florida environmental horticulture industry in 2005Dept. Food Resource Econ., Florida Coop. Ext., Inst. Food Agr. Sci., Univ. of FloridaGainesville, FL)| false
HooperV.2003Understanding Utah's native plant market: Coordinating public and private interest.Utah State Univ.,Logan, UTMS Thesis.
Hooper,V.2003Understanding Utah's native plant market: Coordinating public and private interest.Utah State Univ.,Logan, UTMS Thesis.)| false
HuffordK.M.MazerS.J.2003Plant ecotypes: Genetic differentiation in the age of ecological restorationTrends Ecol. Evol.18147155
Hufford,K.M.Mazer,S.J.2003Plant ecotypes: Genetic differentiation in the age of ecological restorationTrends Ecol. Evol.18147155)| false
JohnsonR.StritchL.OlwellP.LambertS.2010What are the best seed sources for ecosystem restoration on BLM and USFS lands?Native Plants J.11117131
Johnson,R.Stritch,L.Olwell,P.Lambert,S.2010What are the best seed sources for ecosystem restoration on BLM and USFS lands?Native Plants J.11117131)| false
JonesT.YoungS.2005Native seeds in commerce: More frequently asked questionsNative Plants J.6286293
Jones,T.Young,S.2005Native seeds in commerce: More frequently asked questionsNative Plants J.6286293)| false
JonesT.MonacoT.2009A role for assisted evolution in designing native plant materials for domesticated landscapesFront. Ecol. Environ7541547
Jones,T.Monaco,T.2009A role for assisted evolution in designing native plant materials for domesticated landscapesFront. Ecol. Environ7541547)| false
LesicaP.AllendorfF.1999Ecological genetics and the restoration of plant communities: Mix or match?Restor. Ecol.74250
Lesica,P.Allendorf,F.1999Ecological genetics and the restoration of plant communities: Mix or match?Restor. Ecol.74250)| false
LoweryC.1983Wild flowers: An aesthetic way of conserving water and fuel in FloridaProc. Florida State Hort. Soc.96178180
Lowery,C.1983Wild flowers: An aesthetic way of conserving water and fuel in FloridaProc. Florida State Hort. Soc.96178180)| false
LynnJ.C.AuberleW.PeppinD.L.FuleP.Mottek-LucasA.L.2008Northern Arizona native plant market feasibility studyNorthern Arizona Univ.Flagstaff, AZ
Lynn,J.C.Auberle,W.Peppin,D.L.Fule,P.Mottek-Lucas,A.L.2008Northern Arizona native plant market feasibility studyNorthern Arizona Univ.Flagstaff, AZ)| false
MeyerS.2005Intermountain native plants growers association: A nonprofit trade organization promoting landscape use of native plantsNative Plants J.6104107
Meyer,S.2005Intermountain native plants growers association: A nonprofit trade organization promoting landscape use of native plantsNative Plants J.6104107)| false
MilsteinG.2005The uses and potential of wildflower seed in landscaping3941McDonaldM.KwonF.Flower seeds biology and technologyCABIWallingford, UK
Milstein,G.2005The uses and potential of wildflower seed in landscaping3941McDonaldM.KwonF.Flower seeds biology and technologyCABIWallingford, UK)| false
National Wildlife Federation2007American Beauties™National Wildlife FederationReston, VA
National Wildlife Federation2007American Beauties™National Wildlife FederationReston, VA)| false
NorciniJ.2006Native plants: An overviewDept. Environmental Hort., Florida Coop. Ext., Inst. Food Agr. Sci., Univ. of FloridaGainesville, FL
Norcini,J.2006Native plants: An overviewDept. Environmental Hort., Florida Coop. Ext., Inst. Food Agr. Sci., Univ. of FloridaGainesville, FL)| false
PeppinD.L.FuléP.Z.LynnJ.C.Mottek-LucasA.L.Hull SiegC.2010Market perceptions and opportunities for native plant production on the southern Colorado plateauRestor. Ecol.18113124
Peppin,D.L.Fulé,P.Z.Lynn,J.C.Mottek-Lucas,A.L.Hull Sieg,C.2010Market perceptions and opportunities for native plant production on the southern Colorado plateauRestor. Ecol.18113124)| false
PérezH.E.AdamsC.R.KaneM.E.NorciniJ.G.AcombG.LarsenC.2010Awareness of and interest in native wildflowers among college students in plant-related disciplines: A case study from FloridaHortTechnology20368376
Pérez,H.E.Adams,C.R.Kane,M.E.Norcini,J.G.Acomb,G.Larsen,C.2010Awareness of and interest in native wildflowers among college students in plant-related disciplines: A case study from FloridaHortTechnology20368376)| false
PottsL.E.RollM.J.WallnerS.J.2002Colorado native plant survey—Voices of the green industryNative Plants J.3121125
Potts,L.E.Roll,M.J.Wallner,S.J.2002Colorado native plant survey—Voices of the green industryNative Plants J.3121125)| false
RichardsR.ChambersJ.RossC.1998Use of native plants on federal lands: Policy and practiceJ. Range Mgt.51625632
Richards,R.Chambers,J.Ross,C.1998Use of native plants on federal lands: Policy and practiceJ. Range Mgt.51625632)| false
TamimiL.1999The use of native Hawaiian plants by landscape architects in HawaiiVirginia Polytechnic Inst. State Univ.Blacksburg, VAMS Thesis.
Tamimi,L.1999The use of native Hawaiian plants by landscape architects in HawaiiVirginia Polytechnic Inst. State Univ.Blacksburg, VAMS Thesis.)| false
VasquezL.HaynesJ.n.dSolutions for your Life: Lawn and Garden Publications5 May 2011. <http://miami-dade.ifas.ufl.edu/pdfs/fyn/Native-Nurseries-in-South-Florida.PDF>.
Vasquez,L.Haynes,J.n.dSolutions for your Life: Lawn and Garden Publications5 May 2011. <http://miami-dade.ifas.ufl.edu/pdfs/fyn/Native-Nurseries-in-South-Florida.PDF>.)| false
WaterstratJ.1997Assessment of the native plant market in the southeastern United StatesMississippi State Univ.Starkville, MSMS Thesis.
Waterstrat,J.1997Assessment of the native plant market in the southeastern United StatesMississippi State Univ.Starkville, MSMS Thesis.)| false
WoosareeJ.2000Market assessment of the native plant industry in western CanadaAlberta Environ., Alberta Agr. Food Rural Dev., Alberta Res. Council, VegrevilleAB, Canada
Woosaree,J.2000Market assessment of the native plant industry in western CanadaAlberta Environ., Alberta Agr. Food Rural Dev., Alberta Res. Council, VegrevilleAB, Canada)| false
YueC.HurleyT.M.AndersonN.2011Do native and invasive labels affect consumer willingness to pay for plants? Evidence from experimental auctionsAgr. Econ.42195205
Yue,C.Hurley,T.M.Anderson,N.2011Do native and invasive labels affect consumer willingness to pay for plants? Evidence from experimental auctionsAgr. Econ.42195205)| false
We thank the Florida Wildflower Foundation for providing financial support (R-006-09) to conduct this research, the Florida Association of Native Nurseries for allowing us to send the survey to workshop participants, and Charles R. Hall and anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments.
education; germination; research; seed conditioning; seed storage
Article by Philip J. Kauth
Article by Hector E. Pérez