Ornamental Shrubs Research Articles

Assessment of the ecological and biological features of the development of shrub introduced species in the conditions of the Central Black Earth Region

In the course of research, the authors analyzed the results of the introduction of shrub plants of different taxonomic groups in the conditions of the Central Black Earth Region. Most of the representatives of the collections under consideration (a collection of deciduous shrubs, a collection of ornamental shrubs, a collection of coniferous shrubs) showed significant adaptive capabilities in the conditions of the region under consideration. Recommendations on the possibility of using introduced shrubs in green urban construction are given, and species and forms that are not suitable for this purpose are identified. The authors have developed a methodology for assessing the results of introduction tests of shrub plants using the example of the Central Black Earth Region, which can be used in other regions of the Russian Federation and countries of the world to conduct similar tests. This technique is quite simple, but it allows you to create a complete picture of the adaptive capabilities of introduced species, since is based on basic indicators of plant vitality (drought resistance, winter hardiness, average annual growth, observation of flowering and seed production).

Application of Introduced Representatives of Lonicera pileata Oliv. in Landscaping of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine

This article deals with the possibilities to introduce the ornamental shrub Lonicera pileata Oliv. belonging to Caprifoliaceae Vent. family in the landscaping of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. The representatives of Lonicera pileata Oliv. (Cultivars Рileata, form Variegata and form Lemon Beauty) endure winter well and adapt to new climatic conditions of the planting site. The plants were found tolerant to shade, cold, pruning, and urban ecological conditions with polluted air. It has been revealed that, depending on the purpose of the landscaping object, these shrubs can perform various functions: create architectural and artistic image of the object; promote biological land reclamation along with other plants; protect against dust and noise; regulate moisture and temperature. Simultaneously, to grow plants of Lonicera pileata Oliv. successfully, it is critical to use farming techniques developed by the author scientists. When the representatives of evergreen shrubs of Lonicera pileata Oliv. are introduced in the landscaping of residential areas, they can be used to decorate landscape-gardening objects with different functional use creating landscape compositions in gardens and parks, on the plots with different exposition and slopes, as anti-erosion plants, in alpine landscapes, as freestanding shrubs or in group plantations, at the background of lawns, in flowerbeds, in alpine screen gardens, in rockeries, in freely growing and trimmed hedges, and as ground-covering plants.

MICROCLONAL PROPAGATION OF SPIRAEA JAPONICA FOR LANDSCAPING

Japanese spiraea (Spiraea japonica) is an ornamental shrub widely used in landscaping. The method of clonal micropropagation of Spiraea japonica was optimized to obtain a large number of plants from several shoots. The optimal concentrations of hormones have been established to increase multiplication and root formation. QL medium with 0,5 mg/l benzyl aminopurine (BAP) in combination with 1,0 mg/l gibberelic acid (GA); 0,01 and 1,0 mg/l indolyl butyric acid (IBA); 1,0 mg/l of naphthyl acetic acid (NAA) were tested for multiplication. For root induction, naphthyl acetic acid (NAA) was used in five doses at half the concentration of QL and MS medium. The highest multiplication of shoots (14,02±1,39) and the highest increase in shoot length (6,39) was obtained on QL medium supplemented with 0,5 mg/l BAP; 1,0 mg/l GA and IBA 0,01 mg/l. The highest rooting (100%), the maximum number of roots (6,20±0,63), the length of the longest root (4,60±0,02) was observed on ½ QL medium containing 0,1 mg/l NAA. In conclusion, for Spiraea japonica, an efficient high speed and rooting protocol is described that can be used in mass propagation.

Spring phenology of some ornamental species, as an indicator of temperature increase in the urban climate area

The aim of this study is to provide information on the phenology of urban spring season, of some species of ornamental trees and shrubs, in the light of climate changes occurred over the recent decades. Ten species of ornamental shrubs and trees cultivated in two areas of a town located in southwestern Romania were studied. It was found that the spring season phenology of the studied species is dependent on the climatic year, in recording differences between the number of days from November 1 and the beginning of each spring phenophase, both from one species to another and from one climatic year to another, and also from one area to another; the spring phenology starting earlier in the urban area regardless of the species and the climatic year. Higher temperatures, rising from one year to another, are speeding-up the onset and development of spring phenology, regardless of species, and the urban climate through the effect of urban heat island leads to even earlier onset of spring phenophases and shortening of the growing season, so that by phenological differences existing within the species from one climatic year to another and from one climatic zone to another, spring season phenology can be considered an indicator of temperature rise.

The complete chloroplast genome of Camellia grijsii ‘zhenzhucha’, a variant cultivar with floral aroma

Camellia grijsii ‘zhenzhucha’ is a variant cultivar from Camellia grijsii, which is also called Camellia grijsii ‘juhuacha’.C. grijsii ‘zhenzhucha’ is an ornamental shrub with a floral aroma, and is oftenused in landscape. To provide genetic information for genetic research, we have sequenced and assembled the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of C. grijsii ‘zhenzhucha’ based on the Illumina Hiseq platform. The assembled complete cp genome of C. grijsii ‘zhenzhucha’ was 161,478 bp in length with 37.24% GC, including a large single-copy (LSC) region of 59,942 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 17,294 bp, and a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 20,293 bp. The cp genome was annotated with 130 functional genes, consisting of 81 protein-coding genes, 45 transporter RNAs, and 4 ribosomal RNAs. To obtain the phylogeny relationship, the cp genome of C. grijsii 'zhenzhucha'has been compared with other Camellia species, and the results indicate that C. grijsii 'zhenzhucha' is closely related to C. grijsii. This study provides fundamental information of C. grijsii 'zhenzhucha' cp genome, and has an important reference value for the evolutionary analysis.

Peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance pelargonic acid (nonanoic acid).

The conclusions of the EFSA following the peer review of the initial risk assessments carried out by the competent authorities of the rapporteur Member State, Greece, and co‐rapporteur Member State, Austria, for the pesticide active substance pelargonic acid (nonanoic acid) and the considerations as regards the inclusion of the substance in Annex IV of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 are reported. The context of the peer review was that required by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 844/2012, as amended by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2018/1659. The conclusions were reached on the basis of the evaluation of the representative use of pelargonic acid as a herbicide on vineyards, potatoes, paths and places with woody plants, ornamental shrubs, ornamentals lawn, home gardens and allotments, paths and open areas with tree growth, woody ornamentals, decorative lawns, turf (field use). The reliable end points appropriate for use in regulatory risk assessment are presented. Assessments not finalised and missing information identified as being required by the regulatory framework are listed.

Morpho-anatomical and biochemical changes associated with rooting of micropropagated ninebark cuttings

Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) is an attractive ornamental shrub with poor rooting characteristics in some cultivars, which is a limiting factor in commercial production This study was designed to optimize rooting conditions of ninebark cuttings and to observe the effect of exogenous auxin IBA on some morpho-anatomical and biochemical changes associated with rhizogenesis in the in vitro conditions. Both auxins under study: the indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) gave comparable effects but the combination of ½ MS + 1 mg·L−1 IBA was the most cost effective for all rooting parameters. Anatomical changes at the cuttings’ bases during root formation were typical for woody plants and they were accelerated by auxin in the culture medium. High levels of the endogenous indole acid and hydrogen peroxide were temporarily associated with intensive cell divisions in cuttings, and the polyphenolic acid contents kept increasing during rooting above the initial levels and those in controls.

First report of Colombian datura virus in Brugmansia suaveolens in Korea.

Brugmansia suaveolens, known as angel's trumpet, is a perennial ornamental shrub in the Solanaceae with large fragrant flowers. In June 2018, a leaf sample of B. suaveolens that showed virus-like symptoms including chlorotic spots, yellowing and mottle on leaves was collected from a greenhouse in Seongnam, South Korea for disease diagnosis (Supplementary Figure S1a, b). Disease incidence in the greenhouse was greater than 80% for about 2,000 B. suaveolens plants. To identify a causal virus, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to analyze symptomatic leaf samples using leaf dips and thin section methods. Filamentous virus particles and pinwheel structures were observed, indicating the presence of a potyvirus (Supplementary Figure S1c, d). To confirm the TEM results, a symptomatic leaf sample was further analyzed by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using species-specific detection primers for three potyviruses that infect Brugmansia spp.: Colombian datura virus (CDV), Brugmansia mosaic virus (BruMV), and Brugmansia suaveolens mottle virus (BsMoV) (Lucinda et al, 2008; Park et al., 2014; Verma et al., 2014). The sample was positive only for CDV. CDV is transmitted by aphids in a nonpersistent manner and mechanical inoculation and can infect plants in the Solanaceae family including tomato and tobacco (Kahn and Bartels 1968; Schubert et al. 2006; Verhoeven et al. 1996) and has been designated a quarantine virus in Korea. Additional analysis of 13 symptomatic B. suaveolens plants from the infected greenhouse found that all samples except one were infected with CDV. To isolate CDV from B. suaveolens, leaf extracts from symptomatic samples were mechanically inoculated on an assay host, Nicotiana tabacum cv. BY via three single-lesion passages followed by propagation in N. benthamiana. For the bioassay of the CDV isolate (CDV-AT-Kr), sap from infected N. benthamiana was mechanically inoculated on 31 indicator plants, including B. suaveolens (Supplementary Table S2). CDV-AT-Kr induced chlorotic local lesions, necrotic local lesions, mottle, and/or mosaic systemically in 10 Nicotiana spp., and mottle and yellowing in tomato. On inoculated B. suaveolens, te mild mottle symptom was reproduced. No symptoms were observed in pepper or Datura stramonium. These results were confirmed by RT-PCR. To characterize CDV-AT-Kr genetically, the complete genome sequence of CDV-AT-Kr was obtained by RT-PCR using specific primers (Supplementary Table S3) and deposited in GenBank (accession no. MW075268). The CDV-AT-Kr RNA consists of 9,620 nt, encoding a polyprotein of 3,076 aa. BLASTn analysis showed that CDV-AT had maximum nucleotide identities of 98.9% at the complete genome level with a CDV isolate (accession no. JQ801448) from N. tabacum in the UK. To our knowledge, this is the first report of CDV infection in B. suaveolens in Korea and the second report in the world of the complete genome sequence. As B. suaveolens is cultivated by vegetative propagation, production and maintenance of virus-free, healthy B. suaveolens is needed. In addition, as new CDV hosts have been repeatedly reported (Pacifico et al., 2016; Salamon et al., 2015; Tomitaka et al., 2014; Verma et al., 2014), we are monitoring nationwide occurrence to prevent the spread of the virus to other crops.

A chromosome-level genome assembly of rugged rose (Rosa rugosa) provides insights into its evolution, ecology, and floral characteristics

Rosa rugosa, commonly known as rugged rose, is a perennial ornamental shrub. It produces beautiful flowers with a mild fragrance and colorful seed pods. Unlike many other cultivated roses, R. rugosa adapts to a wide range of habitat types and harsh environmental conditions such as salinity, alkaline, shade, drought, high humidity, and frigid temperatures. Here, we produced and analyzed a high-quality genome sequence for R. rugosa to understand its ecology, floral characteristics and evolution. PacBio HiFi reads were initially used to construct the draft genome of R. rugosa, and then Hi-C sequencing was applied to assemble the contigs into 7 chromosomes. We obtained a 382.6 Mb genome encoding 39,704 protein-coding genes. The genome of R. rugosa appears to be conserved with no additional whole-genome duplication after the gamma whole-genome triplication (WGT), which occurred ~100 million years ago in the ancestor of core eudicots. Based on a comparative analysis of the high-quality genome assembly of R. rugosa and other high-quality Rosaceae genomes, we found a unique large inverted segment in the Chinese rose R. chinensis and a retroposition in strawberry caused by post-WGT events. We also found that floral development- and stress response signaling-related gene modules were retained after the WGT. Two MADS-box genes involved in floral development and the stress-related transcription factors DREB2A-INTERACTING PROTEIN 2 (DRIP2) and PEPTIDE TRANSPORTER 3 (PTR3) were found to be positively selected in evolution, which may have contributed to the unique ability of this plant to adapt to harsh environments. In summary, the high-quality genome sequence of R. rugosa provides a map for genetic studies and molecular breeding of this plant and enables comparative genomic studies of Rosa in the near future.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Cornus Alba L. (Cornaceae)

Cornus alba has been used as antiphlogistic, hemostatic and diuretic treatments in Korea, and which is one of the most important ornamental shrubs in China. Here, we reported the complete chloroplast genome sequence of C. alba. The size of the chloroplast genome is 158,451 bp in length, including a large single copy region (LSC) of 87,778 bp, a small single copy region (SSC) of 18,927 bp, and a pair of inverted repeated regions of 25,873 bp. The C. alba chloroplast genome encodes 132 genes, including 85 protein coding genes, 38 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic tree showed that C. alba with the species of C. macrophylla and C. sanguinea formed a strongly supported clade.

Is the stem boring weevil Apocnemidophorus pipitzi (Coleoptera: Curculionididae) host specific to Schinus terebinthifolia (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae)?

ABSTRACT Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Anacardiaceae), is an ornamental shrub from South America that is invasive in Florida, California, Hawaii and Texas, USA and has become a global invader. Exploratory surveys were conducted in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay to discover natural enemies as possible biological control agents. One of the insects collected was subsequently identified as the stem boring weevil Apocnemidophorus pipitzi (Faust). The weevil was found at several localities in Paraguay in April 2007 and transported to Florida, USA, for biological and host range studies. Laboratory no- choice, and multiple-choice tests were performed to determine if A. pipitzi was suitably host specific for release as a biological control agent of Brazilian peppertree in Florida. In total, 79 North American plant species in 40 families and 28 Orders were tested. In the no-choice tests, complete development was significantly higher on Brazilian peppertree, Hardee peppertree, Schinus polygama (Cav.) Cabrera & I.M. Johnst., the invasive ornamental Chinese pistache, Pistacia chinensis Bunge and cultivated pistachio nut, Pistacia vera L. Both Pistacia spp. are chemically related to Brazilian peppertree. However, when given a choice, the stem boring weevil A. pipitzi reproduced only on Brazilian peppertree and the invasive congeneric Hardee peppertree. Overall, results of laboratory host range testing showed the stem boring weevil A. pipitzi is a Schinus specialist. This finding is consistent with field observations, museum records, and the preference-performance hypothesis, where larval survival, growth and normal development are maximised on plants selected for oviposition by the females.

Management of Powdery Mildew on Ninebark Using Sanitizers, Biorational Products, and Fungicides

Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) is a popular ornamental shrub and considered a hardy and tough plant that can thrive in different environmental conditions and resist diseases. However, powdery mildew, caused by Podosphaera physocarpi, can severelyaffect ninebark, deteriorating the ornamental value and making them unmarketable. Only a few studies have been done in managing powdery mildew of ninebark. The current study focuses on evaluating and identifying effective products (sanitizers, biorational products, and fungicides) for the management of powdery mildew disease of ninebark. A total of 12 treatments, including nontreated control, were studied. The experiment was arranged in randomized complete block design with four-single ‘Mindia Coppertina®’ ninebark plant per treatment and repeated twice. Powdery mildew disease severity, growth parameters, and phytotoxicity were assessed in the study. All treatments significantly reduced the powdery mildew disease severity and disease progress [area under disease progress curve (AUDPC)] compared with the nontreated control. The treatments, such as azoxystrobin + benzovindiflupyr at 0.17 and 0.23 g·L–1 total active ingredients (a.i.) applied, chlorothalonil + propiconazole at 1.12 mL·L–1 total a.i. applied, azoxystrobin + tebuconazole at 0.11 and 0.16 g·L–1 total a.i. applied, and giant knotweed extract [Reynoutria sachalinensis (0.5 mL·L–1 total a.i. applied)] were the most effective treatments in reducing disease severity and disease progress in both trials. The treatments had no significant effects on the plant growth parameters such as height and width. In Expt. 2, azoxystrobin + benzovindiflupyr and hydrogen peroxide + peroxyacetic acid treated plants showed the low level of phytotoxic symptoms. The phytotoxicity of these two treatments in Expt. 2 could be related to higher environmental temperature during the experimental period.

Characterization of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’-related strain association with leaf yellowing of Wrightia antidysenterica (Arctic Snow) in Tripura, India

Wrightia antidysenterica is a small compact and evergreen ornamental shrub. Little leaf and yellowing symptoms were recorded on W. antidysenterica plants in June 2018 at College of Agriculture campus, Lembucherra, Tripura. The expected amplicons of ~1.25 kb and ~480 bp were obtained in symptomatic leaf samples with the phytoplasma specific universal 16S rRNA and secA gene primers. Sequence comparison analysis of 16S rRNA and secA gene confirmed the association of ‘Ca. P. asteris’-related strain. However, comparing the restriction profiles of 16S rRNA gene in virtual RFLP analysis revealed that the phytoplasma was a 16SrI group related strain. To our knowledge, this is the first report of phytoplasma association with W. antidysenterica little leaf and yellowing in world.

Summer‐flowering trees and shrubs in landscaping for the south‐eastern coast of the Crimea

Aim. To study the species composition, form diversity, bioecological features of summer‐ flowering trees and shrubs in green spaces of the south‐eastern coast of the Crimea and suggest ways to expand the range. Materials and Methods. The green spaces of Feodosia, Sudak and the localities of Semidvorye, Solnechnogorskoye, Malorechenskoye, Rybachye, Morskoye, Novy Svet, Solnechnaya Dolina, Shchebetovka, Kurortnoye, Koktebel and Primorskiy were investigated. Bioecological and phenological studies of ornamental trees and shrubs were undertaken according to generally accepted methods. Results. The species composition and shape diversity of summer‐flowering trees and shrubs in green plantings of Crimea’s south‐eastern coast were identified. It was found that summer‐ flowering plants make up almost half of the species composition (48.6%) used in landscaping. However, only 23 species are widespread throughout the region, such as Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle, Albizia julibrissin Durazz., Buddleja davidii Franch., Campsis radicans (L.) Seem., Elaeagnus angustifolia L. etc. The greatest number of species and forms of arboreal plants bloom in early summer, their number decreasing significantly from the second decade of June. Conclusion. An assortment is proposed for increasing the number of trees and shrubs which flower during the summer, taking into account both their decorative visual appeal and their environmental requirements, especially drought and frost resistance. Of great interest are species that bloom from June onwards, especially those which are highly decorative and have a long flowering period, such as Albizia julibrissin, Buddleja davidi and forms, Hydrangea arborescens L., Campsis radicans, Kerria japonica f. plena C.K. Schneid, Robinia viscosа Vent., Vitex angus‐castus L.

The area of lianas in the Botanical Garden-Institute of VSUT (Yoshkar-Ola)

There is the site of lianas as a part of the exposition «Fruticetum» in the Botanical Garden-Institute of Volga State University of Technology. It is an area of 0.15 hectares, with 5 rows of metal supports 1.5–3.0 high. Woody plants of 98 names from 14 genera of 10 families grow here: Actinidiaceae, Aristolochiaceae, Bignoniaceae, Caprifoliaceae, Celastraceae, Hydrangeaceae, Menispermaceae, Ranunculaceae, Schisandraceae, Vitaceae. The largest number of taxa in the collection includes the following genera: Clematis – 54 taxa, Vitis – 10, Lonicera – 7. The most widely represented family is Ranunculaceae (56 taxa). The Vitaceae family contains the largest number of genera (3). Cultivars and hybrids have the main share in the collection (62.2%). The cultivars of clematis are the most numerous (42 names). They have a high decorative value and are an undoubted decoration of the site. The low ornamental shrubs and perennial herbaceous plants are planted in the exposition to increase the decorative effect. The article provides information about winter hardiness, growth and development of lianas, as well as the features of agrotechnical measures. The directions of development are presented. These data are of interest to employees of botanical gardens, students of plant-growing directions and amateur gardeners. The materials are accompanied by photographs.

Isolation protocol trials for grapevine bacteriosis (Pierce's disease) agent <i>Xylella fastidiosa</i> Wells et al. during research monitoring of the Republic of Crimea

Xylella fastidiosa Wells et al. causes grapevine bacteriosis and is among most hazardous malicious bacterial phytopathogens affecting a wide variety of important crops and ornamental plants. The agent colonises plant xylem and transmits with insects feeding on xylem sap. The insect vectors of X. fastidiosa belong to the order Hemiptera, suborder Auchenorrhyncha, families Cicadellidae, Cercopidae, Aphrophoridae and Cicadidae. A phytosanitary control survey conducted by the All-Russian Research Institute for Plant Quarantine in 2014 identified a high risk of X. fastidiosa introduction and adaptation in the Russian Federation. The Crimean Peninsula is a potential introduction area of the Pierce’s disease agent due to suitable climatic conditions, the ample availability of major host plants, as well as insect vectors. During a research monitoring in 2018-2020, the Institute assessed the phytosanitary status of the Crimean territory. The survey sampled vegetative parts of grapevines, stone fruits (peach, cherry, plum, merry, almond), selected essential-oil and ornamental shrubs and trees. Diagnostic procedures were performed in accordance with the international standards. A three-year phytosanitary survey of the Crimean plantations revealed no presence of X. fastidiosa. Two protocols of sample preparation and DNA extraction from various substrates have been tested. A real-time PCR-based protocol was proved highly specific for zero false positive and nonspecific rates.

Stem cutting rhizogenesis in soſtwood graſting of <i>Philadelphus coronarius L. f. aureus nanus</i>

Sweet mock orange f. golden dwarf (Philadelphus coronarius L. f. aureus nanus) is a promising ornamental shrub in green building within Central Russia. In the Orel Region, this species has a limited occurrence due to the lack of quality planting material, which warrants research into rhizogenesis of P. coronarius f. aureus nanus stem cuttings during soſtwood graſting. Trials were conducted during 2017-2019 in triplicate, 20 cuttings each, adhering to the common woody plant soſtwood graſting propagation technique. Two yearling types were used, side shoots and innovations. Experimental setups: 1 — control (water); 2 — aqueous indolebutyric acid (IBA) 50 mg/L at 18-h exposure; 3 — bottom cutting powdering with 0.5 g/kg active coal-IBA mixture; 4 — bottom cutting treatment with 50 mg/L IBA at 18-h exposure followed by powdering with 0.5 g/kg active coal-IBA mixture. Setup 2 (IBA 50 mg/L) rendered the highest positive effect on the rooting and reproduction of side shoot and innovation-derived stem cuttings. Te best cutting root system biometry (number and length of 1st order roots) was obtained in setup 2 with the innovation cuttings (10.50 roots of 4.53 cm) compared to the side-shoot ones (9.81 roots of 3.68 cm).

The complete chloroplast genome of Camellia grijsii, an ornamental shrub with floral aroma

Camellia grijsii is an ornamental shrub with a floral aroma, which is widely cultivated and used for landscaping in China. To obtain the genetic information of C. grijsii, we have sequenced and assembled the complete chloroplast (cp) genome based on the Illumina Hiseq platform. The total genome size is 161,078 bp in length with 37.18% GC, which contains a large single copy (LSC, 84,645 bp) region, a small single copy (SSC, 15,772 bp) region, and a pair of inverted repeat (IRs, 30,330 bp) regions. It is composed of 81 protein-coding genes, 4 ribosomal RNAs, and 43 transfer RNAs. The cp genome of C. grijsii has also been compared with other species of Camellia, and the results showed that the C. grijsii and the C. grandbibracteata are closely related. This study provides the complete cp genome of C. grijsii and has an important reference value for the evolutionary analysis.

The exposition "Fruticetum" of the Botanical Garden-Institute of VSUT (Yoshkar-Ola)

As part of the Botanical Garden-Institute of the Volga State University of Technology, a collection of ornamental shrubs is presented in the exposition "Fruticetum". As of 2020, plants from 86 genera of 30 families grow here. The largest number of taxa in the collection includes the following genera: Syringa – 97, Spiraea – 61, Philadelphia – 48, Berberis – 30, Lonicera – 24, Rosa – 22. The largest families are Rosaceae (167 taxa), Oleaceae (97), Hydrangeaceae (77), Caprifoliaceae (35), Berberidaceae (31). The most genera contain the families Rosaceae (28 names), Fabaceae (10), Oleaceae (5), Caprifoliaceae (5), Cupressaceae (4). Angiosperms include 505 taxa, gymnosperms – 26 taxa. The main share in the composition of the collection of Fruticetum are varieties and hybrids – 305 names, there are 226 species of plants, which is associated with the main purpose of the exposition – to present a variety of assortment of ornamental shrubs. Mandatory scientific research includes an annual assessment of winter hardiness, a note on the presence of flowering and fruiting in all plants in the exposition, conducting phenological observations of a number of plants. The features of agrotechnical measures carried out in the exposition (pruning, fertilizing, watering, weeding, pest and disease control, shelter for the winter, mowing grass) are indicated.

Biological Restoration of Urban Soils after De-Sealing Interventions

Most urban greening interventions involve soil de-sealing and management to enhance fertility. Management typically requires translocating fertile topsoil to the site, which comes at great environmental costs. We hypothesized that de-sealed urban soils would undergo an increase of their fertility without exogenous topsoil application. We assessed experimental plots with de-sealed soil with topsoil, and de-sealed soil without topsoil. Both treatments were vegetated with two ornamental shrub species and irrigated. Soil fertility was analyzed by chemical (total and organic carbon) and biological indicators of soils (biological quality index and microbial activities). Since metal contamination is related to urban de-sealed soil, we also monitored the concentration of Zn, Cu and Pb in soil and detected it in plant leaves. The results demonstrate that de-sealed urban soils rapidly restore their biological quality and fertility. Restoration of de-sealing soils can contribute to the recent growing interest reclamation of urban soils for improving the urban environment quality through the restoration of soil functions and related ecosystem services. Overall, the results of this study demonstrate that de-sealed soils can improve their functionality and can contribute to the recent growing interest in reclamation of urban soils for improving the urban environment quality.