AESTHETIC ASSESSMENT OF THE ECOLOGICAL-CENOTIC COMPLEX OF THE STAVROPOL BOTANICAL GARDEN

Abstract

Plant expositions in botanical gardens and arboretums should demonstrate not only the
variety of collection materials, but also the potential of using plants in decorative
compositions. It is advisable to organize the territory in such a way that the main flows of
visitors start from the scientific research zone and than go to the demonstration zone, where
the use of the entire variety of plants in gardening is presented in an open form. This type of
exposition was created in the Stavropol Botanical Garden. It was called the ecological-cenotic
complex, where the rockery occupies the central place. Landscape compositions, which are
made of stones (solid and still, lying in the garden) and plants, have one remarkable
characteristic: they release stress and calm the soul. That is why rockeries have become very
popular. The aim of the work is approbation of acceptable landscape design approaches when
creating decorative design zones with heterogeneous terrain. The novelty of the research is
that the decorative qualities of various plant taxa within rockery plantings in the North
Caucasus were studied for the first time. Complex optimization of green spaces on the
territory of the Stavropol Botanical Garden and evaluation of their ecological and aesthetic
qualities, as well as determination of the emotional impact on visitors specify further
directions for the development of such institutions and contributes to the popularity growth
among various groups of the population, which, in turn, contributes to attracting additional
non-state financial benefits to the garden.