Objective A new variety of novel-color and highly-adaptable freesia was bred to meet the diverse market demand for cut flowers, potted plants, and landscaping.

Method The Fujian-certified Freesia hybrida Shuguang as female parent and the Netherlands-origin F. hybrida Rose Marie as male parent were used for the hybridization of an F₁ hybrid, Y₁P₁-2. After generations of asexual reproduction, selection, biological stability test, consistency observation, and SRAP molecular identification to confirm the hybrid progeny, the resulting plant was named F. hybrida Ziyi. Subsequently, comparative tests at multiple locations were conducted to examine the adaptability for cultivation and yield of seed bulbs and cut flowers of the newly bred variety.

Result The upper perianth of Ziyi was brilliant purple (RHS: N87C), and the throat light yellow（RHS: 6D）in color. Planted from late September to early October, it bloomed 35-40d from late February to early March in the following year. On average, the leaves on the plants were 37.34cm long, the flower stems 38.66cm long with 3-4 branches on each, the main inflorescence 8.75cm with 9.56 main inflorescence florets, and the flower diameter 4.31cm with a reproduction coefficient of 5.5-6.5. In trial cultivations at 3 localities, it showed consistent and stable coloration, floral pattern, and productions per 667m² of 24,600 commercial flowering bulbs and 53,900 cut flowers.

Conclusion The new Ziyi freesia had an exquisite purple color with stable floral traits, highly adaptable for cultivation, and applicable for landscaping. Thus, it could be commercially cultivated in Fuzhou, as well as areas of similar climate.