The Economic Impact Report 2008-2009 of the California Nursery Industry said total sales for the floriculture, nursery and garden center industry was $13.38 billion ($3.29 billion wholesale, $10.09 billion retail). The report, prepared by Hoy Carman, professor emeritus Univ. of Calif., Agricultural and Resource Economics, indicated that nursery enjoyed an uninterrupted 7.4% average growth from 1992-2007. The rate fell 19.4% in 2008-2009 due to the impact of the recession, drought and the homebuilding collapse.

California leads the nation with 21.9% of total nursery production and 8.7% of lawn and garden retail sales. Floriculture and nursery together are California’s No. 2 agricultural commodity, producing 9.1% of the state’s agricultural output. Flowers, foliage and nursery products are produced in 55 of the state’s 58 counties.

Floriculture and nursery generate a combine total of 192,065 state jobs, of which 74,940 are in the production segment, 76, 225 jobs are in lawn and garden retailing and 40,900 result from indirect and induced effects. Total payroll exceeds $5.58 billion, with $2.52 billion from floriculture and nursery production and over $3.05 billion from lawn and garden retailing. About 25,492 jobs were lost in 2008-2009 compared to the previous year.