Abstract
Despite their limited use in Kyiv’s landscaping due to a perceived sensitivity, representatives of the genus Chamaecyparis Spach are actively represented in the city’s botanical collections and are valued for the diversity of cultivars with ornamental traits. The purpose of the scientific research was to assess the existing diversity of species and cultivars in the collections of botanical institutions in Kyiv. The collection fund of Chamaecyparis Spach representatives in the botanical gardens of Kyiv was analysed: the National Botanical Garden of M.M. Gryshko National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the Botanical Garden of the National Taras Shevchenko University of Kyiv, and the Botanical Garden of the National University of Life and Environmental sciences of Ukraine. It was determined that the largest collection is held at the National Botanical Garden of M.M. Gryshko, where Chamaecyparis pisifera (Siebold & Zucc.) Endl. is represented by 8 cultivars, Chamaecyparis obtusa (Siebold & Zucc.) Endl. by 5 cultivars, and Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (A. Murray bis) Parl. by 11 cultivars. In total, 37 cultivars were found in the botanical collections of Kyiv, with the highest number of taxa recorded in Chamaecyparis lawsoniana – 18 cultivars, the smallest in Chamaecyparis obtusa – 16 cultivars, and Chamaecyparis pisifera represented by 13 cultivars. A brief description of the species and cultivars presented in the collections is provided, the current state of the collection plantings is described, and the prospects for the addition of new taxa to the collections are discussed. It was established that collection plantings provide a basis for analysing the adaptation level of cultivars to local climatic conditions and represent specimens of various ages along with their physiological states, depending on age, origin, and maintenance practices. The diversity of plants in the collections, particularly those over 50 years old, demonstrates the sufficient resilience of most cultivars and species to adverse environmental factors and supports their broader use in urban landscaping. The research findings can be utilised to expand the assortment of ornamental coniferous plants in urban greening by introducing promising Chamaecyparis Spach cultivars adapted to the conditions of Kyiv