The humble daffodil could provide as much inspiration for office workers as it did for Wordsworth, according to a US study.

The scientific study carried out by a Texas university found that flowers and plants can help to produce 15 per cent more ideas in an office.

During the eight month scientific study, subjects were asked to perform a series of tasks in one of three environmental office conditions, selected at random: with fresh plants and flowers; with abstract sculpture and with no embellishments.

The study found that workers' idea generation, creative performance and problem solving skills improved substantially in workplaces that include flowers and plants.

Men produced 15 per cent more ideas and women generated more creative, flexible solutions when flowers and plants were present.

* The Impact of Flowers and Plants on Workplace Productivity study was conducted by Roger Ulrich, Ph.D, Director of the Center for Health Systems and Designs, Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.