RESEARCH ON FINDINGS ABOUT CULTIVATION AND USE OF ANNUAL AND BIENNIAL FLOWERING PLANT SPECIES IN THE REGION OF ŠIBENIK AND KNIN – THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA

Abstract

Most plant species that are cultivated in climatic conditions prevailing in the Republic of Croatia as annual or biennial flowering plants originate from warm and temperate climate zones of the planet. The plant groups in question are primarily used in privately-owned gardens and on various landscapes. They can be planted in raised flower beds, as well as used for landscape edging, rock gardens, decorative pots and they are also used as cut flowers. They are cost effective and provide the premises with a decorative value added. The objective of the survey research was to verify the findings about cultivation and use of annual and biennial flowering plants that are frequently used in gardens and landscaping in Šibenik and Knin. The survey research was conducted in May 2016 on a sample comprising of 30 respondents (for annual species) and 29 different respondents (for biennial species) from the region of the cities Šibenik and Knin and their outskirts. The respondents assessed the decorative features of six selected species per individual flower group and the method of their maintenance with an average grade (4). The participants in the survey showed a higher level of knowledge on annual flower species (67.7%-100%) compared with the knowledge on biennial flower species (57.9%-75.9%). The persons questioned correctly assessed the use of various species according to their function in the premises. Most respondents used decorative pumpkins (Cucurbita pepo) amongst annual flower plants for decoration of premises, whilst amongst biennial plants they primarily opted for daisies (Bellis perennis). The data provided can be used for the promotion of cultivation and use of flowering plants in practice.