Which branch of horticulture focuses on the growing and cultivating of flowering ornamental plants?

The branch of horticulture that focuses on the growing and cultivating of flowering ornamental plants is indeed floriculture. This field encompasses everything related to the production, harvesting, and marketing of flowering plants, floral arrangements, and related products. Floriculture combines science, technology, and artistry, enabling practitioners to create beautiful and functional landscapes, improve plant varieties, and cater to public and private demands for aesthetic purposes.

In contrast, olericulture pertains to the cultivation of vegetable crops, agronomy is the science of soil management and crop production aimed primarily at food crops and large-scale agriculture, while pomology specifically addresses the cultivation of fruit trees and shrubs. Each of these branches highlights distinct aspects of plant cultivation, but floriculture specifically centers on ornamental plants, which is why it is the correct answer.