Vegetable Growing, Ornamental, Aromatic and Medicinal

EXPERT PAPER Ornamental grasses with decorative leaves, adapted in croping conditions of North-East of Romania

Elena Liliana Chelariu 1, Lucia Draghia 1 Faculty of Horticulture, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Iaşi, 3 Mihail Sadoveanu Alley, Iaşi - 700490, Romania ([email protected])

Abstract In the current are presented the results regarding the behaviour in cropping conditions from Iaşi, Romania, of 5 exotic species of ornamental grasses belonging to botanical families , Cyperaceae and ( morrowii „Ice Dance”, Imperata cylindrica „Red Baron”, japonicus, „Nigrescens”, Pleioblastus auricomus). Studies regarding phenologic and morphologic aspects and their decorative features were realized. The obtained results showed that the studied species have a good adaptability to the crop environment conditions from the studied area, keeping their ornamental value.

Key words: Carex morrowii, Imperata cylindrica, , Ophiopogon planiscapus, Pleioblastus auricomus

Introduction At world level ornamental grasses are well known and studied and are commonly utilised in landscape designs while in Romania are less studied and utilised. Species Carex morrowii „Ice Dance”, Imperata cylindrica „Red Baron”, Ophiopogon japonicus, Ophiopogon planiscapus „Nigrescens”, Pleioblastus auricomus, have ecological requests similar to the ones from North-East area of Romania, and could assure the décor in landscape design during the whole year, fact which was a good argument for choosing these species for our research. C. morrowii „Ice Dance” (Cyperaceae family) is an ornamental grass originally from Central and South . I. cylindrica „Red Baron” L. (Poaceae family) is a graminaceous originally from East and South-East of Asia, Australia, East and South of Africa. O. japonicus (L.f.) Ker Gawl. (Liliaceae family) is originally from Japan, , Vietnam and India. O. planiscapus „Nigrescens” Nakai (Liliaceae family) have its origin in Japan. P. auricomus (Mitford) D.C. McClint. (Poaceae family) is a dwarf originally from New Zeeland, China and Japan (Darke, 2007; Graham, 2006; Greenlee, 1992; Taylor, 1994; Raff, 2005). The ornamental species taken in study weren’t investigated, till now, in the cropping conditions of Romania.

Material and methods Studies were carried out during period 2011-2013, in the experimental field of Floriculture Discipline, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine from Iaşi, Romania. Iaşi City is situated in the North-East area of Romania having the following coordinates 4709’25”N, 27035’25”E, and from climatic point of view is enrolled in the area of continental temperate climate (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iaşi). Biological material was represented by five species of ornamental grasses which have decorative leaves and port C. morrowii „Ice Dance”, I. cylindrica „Red Baron”, O. japonicus, O. planiscapus „Nigrescens”, P. auricomus, belonging to three different botanical families: Poaceae, Cyperaceae and Liliaceae (Table 1). The proposed methodology for evaluation of the analysed taxons was based on: phenological studies for establishing the vegetation period; quality bio-metric studies.

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In the experimental field phenological observations and bio-metric determinations were made, which enlightened the behaviour of crop in conditions of Iaşi County, Romania.

Table 1. Studied biological material Date of Rusticity Multiplication Name of specie/cultivar Family planting area material 2011 Carex morrowii „Ice Cyperaceae 5-9 Young plants 10.10 Dance” Imperata cylindrica „Red Poaceae 5-9 Young plants 02.05 Baron” Fragments from Ophiopogon japonicus Liliaceae 5-10 15.09 division of bushes Ophiopogon planiscapus Liliaceae 6-9 Young plants 10.10 „Nigrescens” Fragments from Pleioblastus auricomus Poaceae 6-10 15.09 division of bushes

Results and discussion C. morrowii „Ice Dance” (Picture 1) is a perennial cultivar, with a height of 30-40 cm and bush diameter of 30-50 cm. Leaves are linear, hull, rigid, arranged in rosette, have a dark green colour in the central part and a white-yellow colour on margins. Flowers are small, with a reddish-brown colour, without any decorative value. Species prefers wet, but well drained soils. It has a good development at semi-shadow and shadow, where leaves tend to be much more variegated than on sunny soils. It blooms in March-April (Ardle, 2007; Chelariu and Draghia, 2012; Graham, 2006; Greenlee, 1992; Taylor, 1994). During research period a very good adaptability at cropping conditions was observed in North-East of Romania, starting vegetation early in spring (III/03 – I/04). During vegetation period plants had a slow growing rhythm (Table 2). Plants mean height was 36.9 cm with a bush diameter of 46.8 cm. Leaves had a mean length of 40.4 cm and a width of 1.8 cm (Table 3). It is a cultivar which decorates with its variegate leaves and bush aspect, all year round, being recommended in landscape designs such as flat-bars, decorative pots, borders. I. cylindrica „Red Baron” (Picture 2) is a perennial , having a bushy aspect. Leaves have a vertical growth and a red purple colour. At maturity plants could reach a height of 30-50 cm. It has a good development both on sun exposed soils and also on semi-shadow, well drained soils, with moderate moisture content. It tolerates drought periods and polluted air (Ardle, 2007; Chelariu and Draghia, 2011; Darke, 2007; Graham, 2006; Raff, 2005). In cropping conditions of North-East area of Romania, species starts vegetation at the end of March or beginning of April, having a rapid growth (Table 2). During vegetation period plants’ mean height was 48.3 cm, bushes had a diameter mean value of 50.7 cm. Leaves reached a mean length of 46.3 cm and a width of 2.0 cm (Table 3). In spring at start of vegetation leaves are mainly green with the tops lightly coloured in red, and till autumn leaves become purple red. It blooms rarely and during research period blooming didn’t took place. It is utilised due to the leaves colouring and bush aspect, in landscape designs like borders, stone-rock arrangements, ornamental pots and on water banks.

49. hrvatski i 9. međunarodni simpozij agronoma | Dubrovnik | Hrvatska 281 Vegetable Growing, Ornamental, Aromatic and Medicinal Plants

Picture 1. Carex morrowii „Ice Dance” Picture 2. Imperata cylindrica „Red Baron” (original photo) (original photo)

O. japonicus (Picture 3) is perennial species, with the bush having a height of 15-25 cm. Leaves have a dark green colour, they are linear, narrow, elegantly arched, grouped into a rosette. Plants prefer semi-shadow, moderate moisture content and fertile soils (Ardle, 2007; Taylor, 1994; Raff, 2005). During research period a slow growth of plants was observed, and vegetation in 2012 and also in 2013 started in the second decade of April (Table 2). Plants had an average height of 22.3 cm, and bush diameter was 20.3 cm. Mean length of leaves was 18.3 cm, and width was 0.3 cm (Table 3). In cropping conditions of North-East area of Romania specie did not blossom. Also species presented a good adaptability at environment conditions, needing a low protection of plants over winter by covering with mulch. It decorates with leaves and port from spring till late in autumn. It could be utilised in borders, decorative pots, flat-bars, under high vegetation. O. planiscapus „Nigrescens” (Picture 4) is a perennial cultivar with a bush height of 10-20 cm. Leaves are linear, arched and grouped in rosette, having a black-brown colour. Species could grow well on sunny or partially shadowed fields, on soils with moderate moisture content (Ardle, 2007; Graham, 2006; Greenlee, 1992; Taylor, 1994). In cropping conditions of North-East area of Romania plants have a slow growing rhythm, have a very good adaptability degree, and in spring vegetation starts at the end of March and beginning of April (Table 2). During research period plants reached height of 17.1 cm, and bush diameter was 17.9 cm. Leaves had a mean length of 13.5 cm and width of 0.4 cm (Table 3). Plants did not bloom during research period. Plants are utilised mainly due to leaves colouring and bush aspect, all year round. Cultivar could be utilised in decorative pots, borders, flat-bars, colour spots.

Picture 3. Ophiopogon japonicus Picture 4. Ophiopogon planiscapus (original photo) „Nigrescens” (original photo)

282 49th Croatian & 9th International Symposium on Agriculture | Dubrovnik | Croatia Povrćarstvo, ukrasno, aromatično i ljekovito bilje

P. auricomus (Picture 5) is perennial bamboo species, having 50-90 cm height. Leaves are variegated, having a green colour with yellow longitudinal stripes. It prefers fields with sunny exposure, while with light intensity decrease leaves become green and are not variegated. Plant needs fertile soils with high moisture content (Ardle, 2007; Graham, 2006; Taylor, 1994). Plants had a very good adaptability degree in North-East area of Romania. Growing rhythm of plants was a rapid one, and vegetation started at the end of March and beginning of April (Table 2). During research period plants reached a mean height of 59.9 cm, and bush diameter was 33.9 cm. Leaves had a mean length of 19.5 cm and a width of 2.3 cm (Table 3). Species decorates with port and leaves, and is utilised in borders, decorative pots, rounds, flat-bars, massifs and groups, water and stone arrangements.

Picture 5. Pleioblastus auricomus (original photo)

Table 2. Phenological observations Date of Start of vegetation Growin Name of specie/cultivar planting (decade/month) g 2011 2012 2013 rhythm Carex morrowii „Ice Dance” 10.10 III/03 I/04 slow Imperata cylindrica „Red Baron” 02.05 III/03 I/04 rapid Ophiopogon japonicus 15.09 II/04 II/04 slow Ophiopogon planiscapus „Nigrescens” 10.10 III/03 I/04 slow Pleioblastus auricomus 15.09 III/03 I/04 rapid

Table 3. Morphological determinations realised during vegetation period (mean values) Plants’ Length of Ø of bush Width of Name of specie/cultivar height leaves (cm) leaves (cm) (cm) (cm) Carex morrowii „Ice Dance” 36.9 46.8 40.4 1.8 Imperata cylindrica „Red Baron” 48.3 50.7 46.3 2.0 Ophiopogon japonicus 22.3 20.3 18.3 0.3 Ophiopogon planiscapus 17.1 17.9 13.5 0.4 „Nigrescens” Pleioblastus auricomus 59.9 33.9 19.5 2.3

49. hrvatski i 9. međunarodni simpozij agronoma | Dubrovnik | Hrvatska 283 Vegetable Growing, Ornamental, Aromatic and Medicinal Plants

Table 4. Décor period of studied species Months Name of specie/cultivar I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII Carex morrowii „Ice Dance” Imperata cylindrica „Red Baron” Ophiopogon japonicus Ophiopogon planiscarpus „Nigrescens” Pleioblastus auricomus

In cropping conditions of North-East area of Romania, during research period (2011-2013) it was observed that studied species and cultivars could assure the décor in landscape designs for a long period of time (Table 4). So, C. morrowii „Ice Dance”, O. planiscarpus „Nigrescens” and P. auricomus could decorate all year round with port and different coloured leaves. Species I. cylindrica „Red Baron” and O. japonicus could assure the décor in landscape designs, from early spring (March) till late in autumn (November).

Conclusions In cropping conditions of Iaşi County, Romania, species and cultivars of studied ornamental grasses had a good (O. japonicus) and very good (C. morrowii „Ice Dance”, I. cylindrica „Red Baron”, O. planiscarpus „Nigrescens” and P. auricomus) adaptability degree, preserving their phenological and morphological features, assuring at the same time the décor in landscape designs for a long period of time with elegant port and different coloured leaves.

Acknowledgement This work was co-funded from the European Social Fund through Sectorial Operational Programme Human Resources Development 2007-2013, project number POSDRU/I.89/1.5/S62371 “Postdoctoral School in Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine area”

References Ardle J. (2007). and Grasses. Royal Horticultural Society, London, UK, Dorling Kindersley Ltd. Chelariu E.L. and Draghia L. (2011). Ornamental grasses with cultivation potential in the pedo- climatic conditions of Iaşi County. Lucrări ştiinţifice USAMV Iaşi. Seria Horticultură. 54 (2): 257-262. Chelariu E.L. and Draghia L. (2012). Species from Cyperaceae family with ornamental potential as ornamental grasses from Iaşi County, Romania. Lucrări ştiinţifice USAMV Iaşi. Seria Horticultură. 55 (2): 261-265. Darke R. (2007). The encyclopaedia of ornamental grasses for livable landscapes. pp. 487. Portland-Oregon, USA, Timber Press. Graham R. (2006). Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of perennials. London, UK, Dorling Kindersley Ltd. Greenlee J. (1992). The encyclopaedia of ornamental grasses. pp. 186. University of Michigan, USA, Rodale Press. Taylor N. (1994). Ornamental grasses: Bamboo, , Cyperaceae. pp. 96. London, UK, Word Lock Press. Raff M. (2005). Ornamental grasses for the Western garden. pp. 136. Boulder-Colorado, USA, Johnson Books. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iaşi

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