Analysis of container landscaping using in the urban environment on the example of Bila Tserkva

The advantages of container gardening for increasing the green infrastructure of modern cities and improving the ecological state of urbanized areas are considered. In modern cities, this method is an alternative to traditional landscaping in places with dense buildings and solid pavement for the design of parklets, narrow streets, playgrounds, outdoor cafes, balconies, terraces, and roofs. The value of container gardens is recognized in the green infrastructure system of modern cities, providing a number of ecosystem services: using rainwater, improving air quality and temperature conditions, maintaining biodiversity, aesthetically improving territories, promoting connection with nature and emotional well-being. Analysis results of container gardening state in Bila Tserkva are presented, taxonomic composition of plants grown in containers has been determined. It was found that there were 51 species of plants in container culture, belonging to 33 genera and 26 families. The families Cupressaceae, Crassulaceae, Poaceae, Rosaceae are represented by the largest number of taxa. Among the studied assortment there are 14 species of conifers, 12 species of deciduous trees and 21 species of herbaceous plants and 4 species of vines. Ornamental forms from the genera Thuja, Juniperus, Taxus, which have a long decorative period, as well as perennial herbaceous plants of the genera Lavandula, Pelargonium, Hosta, Hemerocallis, Chrysanthemum, Festuca, Sedum predominate in containers. The most common material of containers for finishing spaces in the city are concrete and plastic, but containers made of ceramics, wood, and metal were also found. The following compositional techniques of container gardening are present in the design of the urban environment: a roof garden, a hedge in a container, exquisitely shaped containers with flowers, row placement of container plants along the street, vertical gardening of climbing plants in containers, mixed biogroups of herbaceous perennials and woody plants. It was proposed to expand assortment of plants for container city landscaping, taking into account the soil and climatic zone with perennial species that have appropriate ecological characteristics and a long period of decorativeness, and can look harmonious in various compositions – coniferous and deciduous bushes, herbaceous perennials. Key words: container landscaping, urban spaces, assortment of container plants, urban ecosystems, alternative landscaping.