Dating back to the seventeenth century, many crops, once considered alternative crops or new crops were introduced and became strong industries. Rice, then indigo, and finally sea island cotton were important crops in the region for two centuries. Vegetable production supplanted cotton production by the turn of the twentieth century. Presently, fresh market tomatoes are the major vegetable produced in coastal South Carolina, but the future of this industry is threatened by strong competition from Florida's growers, who are extending their production periods. The search for new crops to supplement the income from traditional crops has followed many routes.
Cut flowers are one of the alternatives being considered.
Presently, a few growers in South Carolina produce snapdragons, gladiola, daylilies, and statice. Most of these flowers are sold directed to retail florists. Surveys of local retail and wholesale florists in Columbia, South Carolina have indicated that there is potential for local growers to produce and sell more diverse types of cut flowers. Demand and price paid for Gerbera cutflowers is highest from Valentine's Day to Mother's Day. Most gerbera cut flowers are produced in some form of protected structure.