Articles
Decorative value and variability of species in perennial meadows of the revitalized Krakowski Park
Article number
1435_40
Pages
303 – 310
Language
English
Abstract
Green areas are important in the lives of residents of large cities, and public parks are popular places of rest and recreation.
In 2018, during revitalization of the Marek Grechuta Krakowski Park in Kraków, Poland, “perennial meadows” were introduced into the park undergrowth for the first time, referring to the communities of wild vegetation.
Six modern, naturalistic perennial compositions were designed, differing in terms of plant species according to the system of a German designer Heiner Luz.
Three years after planting, these compositions were assessed in a year-round monitoring.
Decorative value of the plantings, their structure and growth strength of individual plants were evaluated and compared with the project.
Our observations and analyses indicated that the modern way of designing perennial meadows in the park undergrowth is successful.
Despite unfavorable conditions for the growth of herbaceous plants (high soil and air pollution, the presence of strongly overgrown old trees that shade them and limit the space for root growth), the planted compositions retain their aesthetic look throughout the growing season and change throughout the year.
In early spring, decorative value is provided by geophytes, especially Galanthus nivalis, Crocus vernus, and Scilla siberica. From May, intense vegetative growth of the perennials begins.
The plants differ in their height and shape.
Some species, such as Hemerocallis, Actaea racemosa, Myrrhis odorata, Geranium, and two grass species Calamagrostis brachytricha and Miscanthus sinensis grow expansively and are dominant.
Some species do not grow well and have an unattractive feature reducing the aesthetic value of the compositions.
These include Alchemilla epipsila, Sanguisorba officinalis, Kalimeris incise, ferns Matteuccia struthiopteris, Dryopteris erytrosa, and two grass species Panicum virgatum ‘Hanse Herms’ and Sporobolus heterolepsis ‘Cloud’.
In 2018, during revitalization of the Marek Grechuta Krakowski Park in Kraków, Poland, “perennial meadows” were introduced into the park undergrowth for the first time, referring to the communities of wild vegetation.
Six modern, naturalistic perennial compositions were designed, differing in terms of plant species according to the system of a German designer Heiner Luz.
Three years after planting, these compositions were assessed in a year-round monitoring.
Decorative value of the plantings, their structure and growth strength of individual plants were evaluated and compared with the project.
Our observations and analyses indicated that the modern way of designing perennial meadows in the park undergrowth is successful.
Despite unfavorable conditions for the growth of herbaceous plants (high soil and air pollution, the presence of strongly overgrown old trees that shade them and limit the space for root growth), the planted compositions retain their aesthetic look throughout the growing season and change throughout the year.
In early spring, decorative value is provided by geophytes, especially Galanthus nivalis, Crocus vernus, and Scilla siberica. From May, intense vegetative growth of the perennials begins.
The plants differ in their height and shape.
Some species, such as Hemerocallis, Actaea racemosa, Myrrhis odorata, Geranium, and two grass species Calamagrostis brachytricha and Miscanthus sinensis grow expansively and are dominant.
Some species do not grow well and have an unattractive feature reducing the aesthetic value of the compositions.
These include Alchemilla epipsila, Sanguisorba officinalis, Kalimeris incise, ferns Matteuccia struthiopteris, Dryopteris erytrosa, and two grass species Panicum virgatum ‘Hanse Herms’ and Sporobolus heterolepsis ‘Cloud’.
Authors
M. Cioć, P. Gołębiowski, M. Gajda, B. Pawłowska
Keywords
herbaceous perennials, blooming, flowerbeds, plantings, urban greenery
Online Articles (42)