Assessment of decorativeness for arboreal and dumetosous introduced species in private gardens of the city of Bratsk
The article concerns with the questions of green space range in the city of Bratsk and of the possibility to enlarge it by using highly decorative arboreal introduced species in order to improve the aesthetics of urban planting and enriching the visual environment as a whole. Due to the lack of specialized institutions dealing with plant introductory tests, there has been proposed to use the experience of introduction arboreal and dumetosous species in private gardens for their subsequent use in Bratsk landscaping. Comprehensive assessment of decorativeness for arboreal introduced species in private gardens has been given by several criteria to determine their prospects in Bratsk landscaping. We have used the method developed by scientists at Arkhangelsk State Technical University, which allows to assess plants by 10 criteria: architectonics of the crown, flowering duration, degree of flowering, color and size of flowers, attractiveness of the fruit appearance, fragrance of flowers and fruits, color palette of autumn leaf color, plant damage, species winter hardiness. High integral assessment of decorativeness has been given to 17 species and one decorative form of arboreal introduced species. The study results recommend to use 18 taxonomic units of arboreal introduced species with high integral assessment of decorativeness to enlarge the range of public green spaces. Using these types of plants in landscaping will increase aesthetic qualities and improve architectural and artistic appearance of the city of Bratsk.