Press Release from Taoyuan District Agricultural Research and Extension Station, Ministry of Agriculture

Introduction of a New Hydrangea Cultivar - Spring Blooms and Dancing Butterflies

May 27, 2025

　　Good news for flower lovers, hydrangeas can now bloom in lowland areas! After nine years of dedicated breeding, Taoyuan District Agricultural Research and Extension Station, Ministry of Agriculture (hereinafter Taoyuan DARES), has successfully developed a new hydrangea cultivar, Taoyuan No. 1- Dancing Butterfly. This new variety blooms naturally in lowland regions between March and April without requiring cold treatment. Its showy sterile florets resemble fluttering butterflies on the branches, inspiring its name, Dancing Butterfly. Selected through hybridization between the native Taiwanese hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla var. formosana) and commercial cultivars, Taoyuan No. 1 “Dancing Butterfly” features a vigorous, upright, evergreen growth habit. It offers farmers a low-maintenance, cost-effective alternative while also meeting the preferences of general consumers.

　　According to Taoyuan DARES, hydrangeas are temperate ornamental plants prized for their large and beautiful blooms. However, their cultivation in Taiwan is often challenged by climatic conditions , summer heat can inhibit growth, and low winter temperatures required for flower initiation are hard to achieve in lowland areas. To improve adaptability and expand options suitable for subtropical climates, Taoyuan DARES began a breeding program in 2014 using the native Hydrangea macrophylla var. formosana as a parent line.

　　Taoyuan DARES reports that Taoyuan No. 1 “Dancing Butterfly” has three key advantages:

　　　1.Vigorous growth and ease of cultivation
　　　2.Evergreen foliage that does not drop in winter
　　　3.High ornamental value, featuring lacecap-type inflorescences with double-petaled sterile florets

　　The new cultivar blooms naturally from March to April under lowland conditions without the need for chilling treatment. It shows excellent ornamental quality when grown outdoors in semi-shaded conditions and is also suitable for potted plant use.

　　A Plant Variety Rights application for Taoyuan No. 1 “Dancing Butterfly” was submitted in 2024. Once rights are granted, the cultivar will be available for licensing to interested seedling and flower producers. The release of this new variety provides consumers with fresh options in floral purchases, enhances the diversity of Taiwan’s hydrangea cultivars, and contributes to the vitality of the floral industry.

Contact Information

Spokesperson and Deputy Director: Hsi-Pin Shih　Tel: 03-4768216 ext. 101
Shulin Branch, Associate Researcher: Ya-Ting Hsu　Tel: 02-26801841 ext. 120
Agricultural Extension Section, Associate Researcher: Shing-Jong Lay　Tel: 03-4768216 ext. 410

Figure 1. Potted Hydrangea ‘Taoyuan No. 1 – Dancing Butterfly’

Figure 2. Inflorescence of Hydrangea ‘Taoyuan No. 1 – Dancing Butterfly’