Gardenglory, I would imagine it is a little of both. I'm sure new and unusual things pop up in people's gardens all of the time. Whether, whatever that trait may be is up to the hybridizer to decide that he or she finds it intrigueing enough to hang on to it and see where they can go with it. Then, I would think an idea or a direction may lead to looking for advancements in that area.
Like so many people working on teeth now, and blue, and,...
I really think imagination and thought can probably take you about anywhere.