Morphological features of beardless iris group and their application in landscape compositions (in Natur Garden style)

Abstract

The comparative study reveals the morphological features of the Beardless irises group in order to assess the possibilities of their application in Nature garden landscape compositions as a possible alternative to two natural species — Iris sibirica L. and I. sanguinea Hornem. The Red Data Books can potentially be fraught with legal complexities. The formation and study of a model sample, formed on the basis of the irises collection in the laboratory of ornamental plants of the Main Botanical Garden, has been carried out. It was revealed that according to the complex of the studied quantitative and qualitative characteristics (14 and 27 names, respectively), all samples — a species of natural flora — Iris sibirica, a garden form of natural origin — I. sibirica f. alba and 8 varieties of the Beardless irises group can be rightfully attributed to irises with «natural appearance». Based on a comprehensive assessment of the quantitative traits of the generative sphere, it was found that none of the studied varieties can be recommended for replacing Iris sibirica. On the basis of the vegetative sphere, it is reasonable to recommend four cultivars as a possible alternative to Iris sibirica and its white-flowered form: ‘Seven Seas’, ‘Steve Verner’, ‘Cambridge’ and ‘Bigminki Hori’. At the same time, the ‘Bigminki Hori’ variety can be considered as the optimal substitution option — according to the complex of studied phenotypic traits, as well as taking into account the visual perception of plants as a whole.