Garden hybrids of the genus Petunia Juss. and their use in landscaping

Abstract

Aims. Conduct inventory, assessment, and monitoring of Petunia Juss. plantings of the National Dendrological Park “Sofiyivka” of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. Methods. The study was conducted during 2013–2024 in the “Sofiyivka” Arboretum. Statistical-analytical, experimental, and statistical-modeling methods were used in accordance with the methodological principles of conservation and enrichment of ornamental green plantings in historical parks. The classification and description of the morphological characteristics of P. hybryda plants were carried out in accordance with the classification and description of garden forms by Tetiana Cherevchenko and co-authors. Results. A quantitative and qualitative analysis of the plantings of garden hybrids of the genus Petunia Juss in the exhibition areas of the park was carried out. During the study period, the dynamics of cultivated hybrids were established, and a range of P. hybryda plants was selected in accordance with the soil and climatic conditions of the arboretum and the availability of additional irrigation. During the period under review, 27 hybrids belonging to four garden forms were cultivated in the exhibition areas of the National Dendrological Park “Sofiyivka” of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. Cultivating this number of garden forms enriches the taxonomic composition of the exhibition areas of the National Dendrological Park “Sofiyivka” and avoids monotony and uniformity. Conclusions. The diversity of habitus, foliage, richness of colours flowering quantity and duration are met the aesthetic needs of visitors. When creating flower arrangements with plants of the Petunia genus and with sufficient soil moisture, we recommend giving preference to the cultivation of plants belonging to the garden form of the hybrid hanging type, and in case of insufficient moisture — the large- flowered fringed low type.