Breeding Methods and Breeding Research

Abstract

In a broad sense, the term “ornamental plants” covers all kinds of plants used for one ornamental purpose or another in homes, gardens and parks. Ornamental plant breeding, therefore, covers the breeding of all ornamental plants in the broad sense. On the other hand, floriculture includes mostly herbaceous ornamental plant species, i.e., bedding plants, cut flowers, pot plants (annuals, biennials, herbaceous perennials) which, during their production period in nurseries, are kept in greenhouses or under temporary protection. In this chapter on ornamental plant breeding, only floriculture crops are addressed. Ornamental shrubs and trees are not considered, though quite a number of them have been improved by selection after hybridization and/or polyploidization. Ornamental plant production has developed rapidly, and still has a high growth potential for future expansion. In view of the worldwide rising economic importance of ornamental horticulture, ornamental plant breeding has a promising future.