Up the Supply Chain BY AMANDA JEDLINSKY


WHERE HOLIDAY GREENS BEGIN > Long before magnolia leaves become wreaths or leatherleaf anchors a holi- day centerpiece, those greens are care- fully grown, harvested and chilled in Florida’s “Fern Capital of the World.” Following SAF Amelia Island 2026,


the Society of American Florists’ 141st annual convention in August, floral pro- fessionals visited two family-run foliage operations — Albin Hagstrom & Son and FernTrust — to see the work behind products that become especially important during the holiday rush. At Albin Hagstrom & Son in


Pierson, Florida, Erik Hagstrom represents the fifth generation of a business founded in 1928 with a small plot of plumosus fern. Today, the company offers dozens of foliage varieties, although leatherleaf remains


its largest crop, accounting for about 70% of sales. The company’s growing operation


includes roughly 1,000 acres of shade cloth, which creates the filtered-light conditions many foliage crops need. Some plumosus grows beneath natural tree canopies. Unlike seasonal field crops, fern plantings can produce con- tinuously for decades; some are more than 50 years old. Much of the company’s acreage is


dispersed across three Florida counties, a setup that provides some protection against localized hurricane damage. Freezes bring another risk. When tem- peratures drop below freezing, crews continuously apply water, creating a layer of ice that insulates the plants — as long as the pumps keep running.


READY TO SHIP Workers at Albin Hagstrom & Son and FernTrust harvest and process greenery, assemble garlands and pack foliage for shipment. 30 FLORAL MANAGEMENT | November/December 2026 | WWW.SAFNOW.ORG


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