Characteristics and Market Trends of Hibiscus syriacus Cultivars Registered under Foreign Plant Variety Protection and Commercialization Systems (PVPCS)

This study evaluated the ornamental and commercial potential of <italic>Hibiscus syriacus</italic> cultivars by analyzing 126 new varieties registered under the Plant Variety Protection and Commercialization Systems (PVPCS). The analysis covered registration status, cultivar traits, landscape utilization, and market trends in the United States and Europe. Registration types included Plant Breeder’s Rights (PBRs), Plant Patents (PLPs), Registered Trademarks (®), and Commercial Listings (COM). The highest registration rates were observed in the Netherlands (41.2%), followed by the United States (23.0%) and the European Union (20.3%), indicating strong market demand and awareness of plant variety protection in these regions. Notably, cultivars such as ’Notwood3’, ’JWNWOOD4’, and ’DVPazurri’ were registered in multiple countries, reflecting a global strategy for securing intellectual property rights. The primary selection criteria were flower characteristics (47.3%), followed by tree form (12.2%), blooming (11.3%), and sterility (8.5%). In contrast, functional traits such as disease resistance and ease of cultivation were less emphasized, suggesting a breeding trend focused on ornamental and landscape values. Landscape applications showed that <italic>H. syriacus</italic> is widely used for hedges and screening (19.45%), specimen and accent planting (18.6%), and mixed borders (17.5%), with increasing use in urban gardens, vertical spaces, and ecological designs. Trademark analysis revealed that Chiffon^® (9 cultivars) and Satin® (7 cultivars) series dominated the U.S. market. In the U.S., trademarked dwarf (Lil’ Kim® series, Pollypetite^®), double-flowered (Chiffon^® series), variegated foliage (Sugar Tip^®), columnar (Purple Pillar^®), and large-flowered (Paraplu^®) cultivars were prevalent. In contrast, the European market preferred both trademarked cultivars and traditional unregistered varieties such as ’Oiseau Bleu’, ’Red Heart’, and ’Woodbridge’. These findings highlight the importance of region-specific breeding and commercialization strategies tailored to landscape trends, consumer preferences, and legal frameworks. Future cultivar development should balance aesthetic appeal with ecological sustainability to expand the global presence of <italic>H. syriacus</italic> as landscape plants.