Nursery industry
According to the Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, the GVP of Queensland’s lifestyle horticulture industry production sectors (including nursery, turf and cut flowers) in 2010–11 is forecast at $989 million. The gross value of nursery production is forecast at $788 million, while the gross value of cut flower production is forecast at $85 million. According to the Flower Association of Queensland, the Cut Flower and Foliage industry in Australia is part of the agricultural sector and engages in growing flowers and foliage for cutting and display. Growers mostly produce traditional (soft) flowers, with roses, liliums and gerberas the biggest sellers, with Chrysanthemums in demand for Mother’s Day and seasonal bulbs and flowers in spring. Although most traditional flowers are grown with some protection, usually poly tunnels, there are many exceptions. Virtually all traditional flowers are sold on the domestic market. Australian wildflowers – Australian native flowers and foliages and South African Proteaceae (Protea, Leucadendron, Serruria) – are primarily cultivated in plantations. They fall into two broad categories – filler flowers such Waxflower, Kangaroo Paw and Thryptomene and seasonal feature flowers such as Waratah, Banksia and Protea. Some flowers and foliages are wild harvested under license. Wildflowers
account for 90% of the industry’s exports.
Nursery and Garden Industry Queensland has further information and details on the nursery in this State.