IHC2026

Speaker: Tatsuya Uemachi (University of Shiga Prefecture)

(Lecture will be provided in Japanese)
Hydrangeas are highly cherished temperate ornamental plants cultivated worldwide as garden shrubs, potted plants, and cut flowers. Japan is a center of Hydrangea diversity, where the native Hydrangea macrophylla f. normalis has served as an invaluable genetic resource. From the eighteenth through the twentieth centuries, cultivars originating in Japan were introduced to Europe and North America, where they stimulated extensive breeding programs and became globally popular ornamental plants. Furthermore, contemporary breeding in Japan continues to enhance this diversity. This lecture explores the captivating floral characteristics of hydrangeas, tracing how a plant native to specific Japanese regions evolved into a premier global ornamental plant.

There is a limit of 60 participants on a first‑come, first‑served basis on the day of the event.