ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Sunday, March 17, 1996                 TAG: 9603150097
SECTION: BUSINESS                 PAGE: G-1  EDITION: METRO 

U.S. FLORAL SALES

(includes fresh flowers and greens, artificial flowers ane related materials)

1982: $5.7 billion

1989: $9.9 billion

1990: $12.6

1991: $12.9

1992: $12.8

1993: $12.9

1994: $13.2

1995: $14.1 (projected)

Average per-person spending on floral items:

1991: $50.84

1992: $49.33

1993: $49.77

1994: $50.58

1995: $54.04

Percentage of sales by outlet type:

Florists: 53 percent

Other outlets: 47 percent

Most popular cut flowers in the United States, based on number of stems sold:

carnation

rose

chrysanthemum

gladiolus

alstroemeria

Other flower facts:

Each American spent almost $9.25 on roses in 1994.

1.2 billion roses were sold in 1994

Average cost of flowers for a wedding and reception: $463.

About 25 percent of flowers purchased were "just for me," or for non-gift-giving occasions.

The United States imported cut flowers and greens from 42 countries in 1994. In 1986, we imported flowers from more than 70 nations.

Source: The Floral Index Inc., as reported in Flowers& magazine

LENGTH: Medium:   54 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:  ERIC BRADY. An arrangement by Michael Polychrones shown 
          during Teleflora's Blue Ridge Ujnit seminar at Hotel Roanoke. color 
          Graphic: chart. color..