Japanese flowers that embellish Italian gardens: the search for new shapes and colors

In the 17th and 18th centuries, large collections of plants introduced from other countries were established in Europe, thanks to the activity of the so-called “plant hunters”, i.e., travelers, adventurers, sailors, but above all botanists who imported many plants, driven by the search for novelty. At the dawn of the 19th century, it was a source of pride for garden owners to flaunt the presence of exotic plants. That world related to floriculture and nursery farming also interested Italy and is the basis of many traditional nursery companies. Imported exotic plants were hybridized and selected by local flower nurserymen, introduced in private and public collections and now represent an important botanical heritage. Among the 49 collections surveyed up to now by the Italian Horticultural Society (SOI), about half refer to plants of Japanese origin. Among these, those of camellia, hydrangea, spirea and wisteria stand out for their consistency and quality. Numerous studies have been addressed to their correct identification and characterization, conservation and valorization, including the use of these resources in breeding, while continuing to search for new shapes and colors.