Americans' love of flowers combined with busy lifestyles that leave little time for indoor plants have kept the design-forward part of permanent botanicals healthy. The smallest category in the home accents universe had sales in 2005 of $2.8 billion expected to increase nearly 4% to $2.9 billion in 2006.

Botanicals are a healthy part of the home accent/gift store market recording 2005 sales of $450 million, 16% of the market.

However, much of the growth in the category is driven by single stem and holiday sales in craft/fabric stores, with 2005 sales of $935 million in 2005. Total sales at A.C. Moore, for example, were up for the nine months ended Sept. 30 by 11%, but the completed merger of Michaels Stores with Bain Capital Partners and The Blackstone Group at the end of October make those stores' future performance difficult to call.

Also important in the channel because of holiday sales are the home improvement centers/warehouse clubs and discount department stores/off-price retailers with respective 2005 sales of $380 million and 13% of the market and $480 million and 17% of the market.