PECULIARITIES OF DYNAMICS OF SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT OF WOODY PLANTS AT PETER THE GREAT BOTANIC GARDEN IN 2022

Abstract

The article discusses the dynamics of the onset of phenological stages in 2022 and the features of the seasonal development of woody plants in the Botanical Garden of Peter the Great, depending on the weather conditions of winter and the subsequent growing season. The winter 2021/22 was normal on its duration (105 days) and comparatively mild. The coldest month was December (-7,5), with absolute minimum -23,1(26 December), not reaching the figures observed in the past (-34,7 ...10 January 1987). The frost damages of majority of trees and shrubs was absent or small, not more than half of annual growth. The peculiarity of season of 2022 was abnormally warm weather of the second half and the end of summer, with hot temperature in August: 20,6. This is the record for the whole period of instrumental meteorological observations since 1752. In such conditions the Autumn began as late as on the 10-th of September which is the record during 43-years monitoring since 1980. Apparently the warming of the climate of Saint-Petersburg is continuing and strengthening The autumnal season has the tendency to more late beginning and to enlarging of its duration. In such conditions the assortment of trees and shrubs promising on its winter hardiness for culture at the North-West of Russia is enlarging. There are more and more plants which were considered to be subtropical and indoor only, but nowadays successfully are winter hardy, produce flowers and fruits and may be successfully cultivated outdoor.