Whether it’s through the use of molecular genetics and DNA markers or good old-fashioned experience and collaboration, the next generation of plant breeders is thoughtfully revolutionizing the industry. With the help of new databases and recordkeeping software, they are tackling the hot topics and adapting their work to changing weather patterns, sustainability, and consumers’ ever-changing needs. And gardens around the world are seeing the exciting results.
Social Media Guides Innovation
President and CEO Ben Winslow of WinGen | Ben Winslow
Ben Winslow, President and CEO of WinGen, says the next generation of breeders makes up a diverse group of talented professionals bringing fresh ideas and innovative approaches to ornamental horticulture.
“At WinGen, we are laser-focused on breeding novel ‘bulletproof’ plants for the home gardener using a blend of traditional field-breeding techniques and high-tech approaches.
“Our consumer craves novelty along with performance, and traditional plant breeding strategies are no longer enough to keep pace with changing consumer preferences, environmental conditions, and emerging niche markets. We rely on our laboratory and university partnerships to facilitate complex breeding projects that were not easily accessible decades ago. Technologies like chromosome doubling, embryo rescue, CRISPR, and mutation breeding allow our breeders to create and evaluate unique new genetics that ultimately drive excitement and create solutions for gardeners.
“Our breeders are also motivated by nature and enjoy finding new genera and species that can deliver valuable traits to our breeding programs and ornamental horticulture. New interspecific or intergeneric hybrids can deliver unique colors and habits, hybrid vigor, and disease resistance that may not have been available in genetics previously found in the trade.
“We now have access to many more resources to guide our breeding styles. We can view and interact with our consumers on social media and see what is trending and learn about problems today’s gardeners are facing. New breeding software allows us to track pedigrees and breeding programs with greater precision to quickly and efficiently track key genetic traits. We can then adapt our breeding programs to deliver new solutions for the common problems gardeners are facing. The goal is to cultivate hardy, attractive plants that bring satisfaction to gardeners, from beginners to seasoned enthusiasts, in every corner of the country and the world.”
Bringing Imagined Flowers to Life
Koichi Tomomatsu | Suntory Flowers
Flower breeding is Koichi Tomomatsu’s life’s calling. Tomomatsu is a breeder at the Suntory Innovation Field in Higashi Omi, Shiga Prefecture, Japan.
“I believe that flower breeding is my life’s calling, and I want to continue doing it until the end of my life,” Tomomatsu goes on to paint a beautiful picture of his creation process. “In my imagination, there are many flowers that don’t yet exist in the world. It brings me great joy to bring these imagined flowers to life and witness the delight of customers on social media. I also enjoy discussing and developing the technical processes to realize these visions with my colleagues.
“I believe in my mental approach and have two key concepts: 1. ‘What goes around, comes around’; and 2. ‘Reset my mind.’ While I’m continually exploring breeding techniques to improve our chances of success, I also believe in a bit of luck, which is important for cross-breeding.
“I usually try to accumulate good deeds, such as yielding to others and being kind to get a bit of luck. Moreover, when my mind concentrates solely on breeding, I often feel mentally drained, so I refresh myself through running.
“Suntory Flowers has been a trailblazer in creating new categories and markets, exemplified by innovations like ‘Sun Parasol’, ‘Surfinia’, and ‘Million Bells’. My goal is to build on the traditions established by past breeders while incorporating unprecedented technologies and insights to create products that will surprise and delight our customers.”
Adapting to Urban Environments
Woody Plant Breeder and Genomics Specialist Nathan Maren | The Morton Arboretum
Nathan Maren, Ph.D., is a Woody Plant Breeder and Genomics Specialist at The Morton Arboretum. His 25 years of experience in commercial and research production created a launchpad for experiences delving into graduate studies in crop improvement, biotechnology, molecular genetics, genomics, and bioinformatics, endeavors necessary to lead a modern nursery/landscape crop research and breeding program.
According to Angela Treadwell-Palmer, founder and Co-Owner of Plants Nouveau, Nathan focuses on breeding resilient woody landscape plants that thrive in urban environments, adapting to climate challenges, pests, and diseases. He combines traditional knowledge of ecological niches with advanced modern tools. Nathan’s expertise includes plant tissue culture, biotechnology, and molecular genetics, and he collaborates with researchers and industry colleagues to advance the program’s goals and meet future landscape needs.
Upper Midwest Cultivars
Justin Lombardoni | Chicago Botanical Garden
Before Plant Breeder Justin Lombardoni joined the Chicago Botanic Garden (CBG), he earned his Ph.D. in Plant Breeding and Genomics from Rutgers University in 2022 while studying hazelnut (Corylus spp.).
According to his statement on the Chicago Botanic Garden website, Justin focuses on breeding novel ornamental cultivars well-suited for the harsh environmental conditions of the Upper Midwest, including new flower characteristics, unique growth habits, disease/pest resistance, heat/drought tolerance, and cold hardiness. His preference is native taxa. While the CBG breeding program mainly employs traditional breeding methods where crosses are chosen subjectively and made by hand, he supplements these methods with chemical mutagenesis to introduce genetic and phenotypic variation into the program.
Plants Nouveau is proud to introduce all the plants Lombardoni develops. Special thanks to Angela Treadwell-Palmer, Founder and Co-Owner of Plants Nouveau, for this information.
Trending Native Species
Jake Letmanski | Intrinsic Perennial Gardens
“I want people of my generation to know anyone can be a breeder,” says Intrinsic Perennial Gardens Breeder Jake Letmanski. “I say this because in today’s world with all of our access to knowledge, anyone with a passion to grow plants, some patience, and a curiosity for breeding can be a breeder.
“All you really need is a backyard. My first experience with breeding was selecting for the most uniform and deepest purple corn in my family’s garden.
“I think this next generation of breeders is more focused on breeding plants that are native. I think younger people are more aware of how much of a role native plants play in our local environment. I also think most people may shy away from natives because they may see them as being a little too wild. I think a lot of breeding advancements can be made in taming these wild species so they can fit into a manicured landscape but, at the same time, preserving the traits that make them beneficial to wildlife. I also think young breeders are interested in producing robust plants that can withstand the growing challenges of climate change. Another interesting thing is all the new technology this generation of breeders has at their disposal, which can really help breeders produce great plants for the future.”
Please take a look at Part 1 and Part 2 of plant breeding experts discussing new innovations and exciting developments in the field if you missed them.
