Which field describes the science and practice of growing and marketing flowering plants?

• A. Landscape and nursery industry
• B. Pomology
• C. Olericulture
• D. Floriculture

Answer: (D)

Growing and marketing flowering plants is the domain of floriculture. This field covers both the cultivation of ornamental flowering crops—whether in greenhouses or fields—and the business side, including postharvest handling, packaging, and distribution to markets for cut flowers and potted blooms. Floriculture brings together propagation, production practices, and market strategies specific to ornamental flowering plants.

Pomology deals with fruit crops, so it focuses on growing and improving fruits rather than ornamentals. Olericulture focuses on vegetables, not flowering ornamentals. The landscape and nursery industry is broader and includes many aspects of plant production and sales for landscapes and nurseries, but the specific discipline that unites growing flowering plants with their marketing is floriculture.