Ten years ago the Australian Special Rural Research Council was determining priorities for the funding of research and development for Australian native cut flower growing and exporting. Views were divided as to whether to develop a diverse selection of native flora or to concentrate on major crop groups such as waxflower, kangaroo paw, Proteaceae and Verticordia.
In 1990, the successor to ASRRC, RIRDC set up a specific industry program in Wildflowers and Native Plants with an objective to improve the profitability, productivity and sustainability of the wildflower and native plant industry.