Glow-in-the-dark hydrangea

At the end of March 2025, HOKO Breeding caused quite a stir in the world of hydrangeas. We announced a groundbreaking innovation: a glow-in-the-dark hydrangea that could absorb sunlight during the day and softly glow at night. A world first in hydrangea breeding, supposedly discovered during a routine selection round in our trial greenhouse.

The news spread quickly through the industry, made its way into trade media, and even reached home gardeners. And yes — on April 1st, we revealed the truth: our glow-in-the-dark hydrangea was a carefully crafted April Fools’ joke. With scientific explanations, mock quotes, and even a fabricated WUR study, we packaged the story with just enough credibility. The result? A lot of surprised faces — and just as many smiles.

Why we take this joke seriously

While the glow was fake, the creativity behind it was very real. This prank captured the essence of who we are: the hydrangeas creators. We mix strong genetics with imagination, market insight, and a genuine love for what we do. Because breeding is more than science. It’s also about wonder and storytelling.

During FlowerTrials 2025, we gave the glow-in-the-dark hydrangea a (slightly) real-life comeback. With a UV lamp on hand, visitors got to experience what a glowing hydrangea could look like. A light-hearted moment — but also a fitting way to showcase the innovation behind our latest varieties.

Discover the real stars ✨

At HOKO Breeding, we work every day on the hydrangeas of tomorrow. You’ll find our newest selections in the Starscollection: promising varieties that stand out for their shape, colour, longevity and genetic strength. From almost-black foliage to extraordinary flower forms. And who knows, maybe one day even a truly glowing bloom.

Curious what’s blooming behind the scenes?
Take a look around our website and discover what’s next in hydrangea breeding. Because even without a glow, HOKO Breeding helps your assortment shine.

Strong varieties with character

HOKO Breeding is internationally known for developing robust, compact hydrangea varieties. Think of the Magical Hydrangea series – famous for its 150-day flowering period – the colourful and contemporary Surfing Safari line, and classics like the crisp white WUDU and popular ANKONG.

All of these varieties share a key trait: strong stems that allow them to grow without support sticks. It’s a crucial selection criterion in HOKO Breeding’s breeding programme — because strength is just as important as beauty.