visimoney
TLDR: On Valentine’s Day, flowers are a big business with consumers spending $2.6 billion on flowers for their loved ones, making it the number one holiday for florists. Here are a dozen fun facts about flowers and money:
– Flower sales are taxable in most states, with some states exempting certain plants and seeds used for human consumption.
– The U.S. Treasury used to sell flower bonds, which matured at death to pay estate taxes.
– The red rose is the most popular flower for Valentine’s Day, with some varieties taking years to develop.
– To claim flowers as a business expense, receipts are required.
– Tulipomania in the 17th century caused a speculative bubble in the Dutch economy.
– The U.S. imports nearly $3.3 billion worth of cut flowers, plants, and nursery stock products, with Colombia being the largest import value.
– Florida and California have the highest floriculture sales in the U.S.
– The Wars of the Roses in the 15th century led to the symbol of the Tudor Rose.
– The Lunaria annua, also known as the money plant, produces seed pods that resemble coins.
– King Charles of England was paid one daffodil annually as rent for the lands of the Islands of Scilly.
– Mobster Dion O’Bannion operated a flower shop that was a front for his illicit activities during Prohibition.
