ORNAMENTAL PLANTS OF HORTICULTURE VALUE

Selection of perennials

About 18 species in the temperate regions of Northern Hemisphere, of which 11 species in the FSU. Some of them of wide distribution (S. officinalis L.), the others located in small areas (S. taurica Juz.). S. officinalis is a popular medicine plant in Russia. S. tenuifolia Fisch. ex Link is often used as an ornamental plant. Of especial interest is a newly described species S. azovtsevii Krasnob. et Pschen.

S. azovtsevii Krasnob. et Pschen.

Siberia: Altay. On grassy slopes, in meadows, in forest clearings.

Stem 80-100 (-120) cm, rhizome short, roots numerous. Leaves pinnate, glabrous. Basal leaves long-petiolate, 30-40 cm x 10-12 cm, stem leaves shorter, sessile. Leaflets lanceolate-oblong, slightly heart-based, serrate-dentate. Flowers very small red-purple, stigma fringed, black stamens exserted. Inflorescence cylindrical, 4-7 cm long, 1-1.5 cm wide, erect, sometimes pendent. V - early spring to late autumn, some basal leaves overwinter. Fl - June to August for one month and longer. Fr - since August. P - by division and seed. Flower in two years. Tolerant different types of soil, and shady place, diseases and insect resistant, grow for many years once established. Good for group planting. Z 3. New.

Some natural hybrids and species of hybrid origin are found in Siberia and the Far East. The plants grown from seeds collected there show different varieties, including very ornamental ones. Selections, that was made at Chicago Botanic Garden result in some good specimens promising to the gardening.