Syngenta Flowers acquires hydrangea genetics from Bay City Flower Co.

The deal is centered on Bay City's genetics supporting the current Syngenta hydrangea portfolio.

Harrison Higaki, owner and president of Bay City Flower Company.
Photo courtesy of Syngenta Flowers

On Dec. 8, Syngenta Flowers announced that it had purchased ‘key hydrangea and other select genetics, along with the Hana Bay Flowers brand’ from Half Moon Bay, California-based Bay City Flower Co.

“Bay City’s focus on quality and innovative breeding is fully aligned with Syngenta’s priority in supporting indoor floral growers with world-class genetics,” said Mark Schermer, Global Head of Syngenta Flowers. “We are excited and honored to continue offering these exceptional genetics. Bay City’s hydrangea program is a big step forward in achieving our ambitions in the indoor floral market.”

The ”focus” of the deal is the hydrangea varieties, which will “complement Syngenta’s existing hydrangea portfolio.” The varieties from Bay City will be based out of Bay City’s Alva, Florida farm and added to Syngenta’s unrooted hydrangea production program.

Additionally, Syngenta will develop ‘key programs’ around ‘complementary genetics’ acquired in the deal, including echeveria ‘Devotion’ and the Sunrise Easter Cactus line.

“For 20 years, I have personally been involved in the breeding of Bay City Flower hydrangeas to excite consumers and meet the cultural demands of our company’s growers. Now, I am proud to have Syngenta Flowers carry forward our genetics making them available to growers throughout North America, even worldwide,” said Harrison Higaki, owner and president of Bay City Flower Company.