NEW VARIETIES OF ANNUAL FLOWERING PLANTS FOR LANDSCAPING POPULATED AREAS OF THE SUBARCTIC

Abstract

New cultivars Callistephus chinensis (cultivar 'Benary´s Princess'), Antirrhinum majus (cultivar 'Legend'), Petunia hybrida grandiflora (cultivar 'Prism') were tested for the first time in Subarctic conditions. It was shown that the above varieties had a high decorative effect and resistance in the Murmansk region. The duration of flowering in the studied annual plants ranged from 60 days (Callistephus chinensis) up to 98 days (Petunia hybrida grandiflora), which indicates the success-ful adaptation of plants, since the growing season in the conditions of the Kola Arctic is from 90 to 115 days. According to a number of indicators (height, number of flowers, diameter of flowers and inflorescences), a slight lag behind plants grown in more southern regions was revealed. Man-datory 3-4-week hardening and regular fertilization both at the stage of seedlings and adult plants were singled out from the features of the agricultural technology of the tested varieties. To im-prove the aesthetic side, it is recommended to carry out a more dense planting of annual plants (70 pcs/m2, at a rate of 47 pcs/m2). The new varieties were promising for flower decoration of popu-lated areas of the Kola North.