Representatives of the genus Rhododendron L. in the dendrostructure of compositional clumps of the Japanese Garden of “Nova Sofiyivka” Park (NDP “Sofiyivka”, NAS of Ukraine) and their semantic role

The taxonomic dendrostructure of clumps in the Japanese Garden of “Nova Sofiyivka” Park, established with the participation of Rhododendron L., has been studied. The compositional and semantic significance of rhododendrons in the Japanese Garden has been clarified. It was found out that four landscape clumps were created with the involvement of Rhododendron species and cultivars: Entrance to the Japanese Garden, Inner Garden near the Tea Pavilion, Meditation Pavilion and Stone Garden, and Dragon Garden. The analysis revealed that these clumps were formed by trees and shrubs of 36 species and cultivars, belonging to 12 genera from 10 families. Among them, 7 genera are trees – Magnolia L. (Magnoliaceae Juss.), Acer L. (Sapindaceae), Liquidambar L. (Altingiaceae), Ginkgo L. (Ginkgoaceae), Pinus L. (Pinaceae), Taxodium Rich. (Cupressaceae), Sciadopitys Siebold & Zucc. (Sciadopityaceae Luerss.); and 5 genera are shrubs – Cotoneaster Medik. (Rosaceae), Juniperus L. (Cupressaceae), Hydrangea L. (Hydrangeaceae), Spiraea L. (Rosaceae), Rhododendron L. (Ericaceae). Representatives of the Rhododendron genus occupy a dominant position in the taxonomic and quantitative structure of woody plantings of the compositional clumps – over 900 shrubs, belonging to 11 species and cultivars. It was found that in spring-summer landscapes of the Japanese Garden, rhododendrons play the role of a coloristic dominant, enhance the aesthetic background of complex compositions, contribute to the formation of a positive emotional state and broaden the visitors' worldview – specifically, by introducing them to the nature of an Eastern country and the culture of its people. The research was based on route visual surveys and archival diagrams and textual documentation analysis. The use and role of rhododendrons in phytocompositions were analyzed according to the methods of I.O. Sydorenko (2008) and V.M. Kokhanovskyi (2020), the recommendations of R.Y. Kondratovych (1981) and our own results of developments and research (Vegera, 2018). Key words: Fantasy Park “Nova Sofiyivka”, Japanese Garden, taxonomic dendrostructure of clumps, Rhododendron L., Right-Bank ForestSteppe of Ukraine, semantic value, compositional role.