Role and Features of Growing Ornamental Woody Plants in Urban Recreational Areas

When selecting planting material for landscape construction, it is necessary to know whether new crops can adapt to the existing biocenosis of parks and develop normally in the zone of the root system of middle-aged trees. The 33 species of woody plants we studied grow surrounded by Populus balsamifera L., Tilia cordata Mill. 40-50 years of age. The paper presents systematic data and the origin of the studied woody plant species. Three decorative groups have been identified. Group 1 of highly ornamental woody plants included only two species (Berberis thunbergii DC, Cornus alba L.). Mostly ornamental woody plants (group 2) grow in the garden - 25 species. Group 3 of less ornamental plants includes 6 species. The shape and size of the leaves of woody plants play a significant role in visual perception, and the size of the plant determines its place in the landscape composition. Five groups of leaf size, three categories of height for trees, and four categories for shrubs were identified. A group of beautifully flowering woody plants has been identified - 16 species (48.5 %) and the phenology of flowering in the period 2021-2023 is presented. The dependence of the beginning of flowering on weather conditions in the climatic zone of the Middle Urals has been determined. According to observation data in the period 2016-2023. Three groups of stability of decorative qualities of woody plants growing in the zone of the root system of middle-aged trees of the first size have been identified. Highly resistant – 40 % (11 species). Resistant – 45 % (12 species). Weakly resistant – 15 % (4 species).