NEW SELECTIONS OF WOODY ORNAMENTALS IN DUBRAVA ARBORETUM

Dubrava Arboretum, a part of Dubrava Experimental and Training Forest Enterprise, is a dendrological collection in which native and introduced woody plants are collected, conserved and exhibited. Although the collection of ornamental trees and shrubs is very large now, new introductions are always requested by the market. Until today no new cultivars originated from Lithuania are introduced. Therefore, one of the aims of the Arboretum is to evaluate, select and introduce new and improved plant materials into the local nursery and landscape industry. In this study new selections of native and introduced woody plants were identified, collected and evaluated. Woody plants in Dubrava Forest Enterprise plantations, Dubrava Nursery, Girionys Park, Dubrava Arboretum and in natural forests were regularly examined. Plants with atypical morphological features were identified and registered. The morphology of these plants was described and compared to typical representatives of a certain species. Vegetative material was taken from these plants and propagated by grafting, budding or cuttings. At present thirty-two morphologically different selections are grown in Dubrava Arboretum: 24 conifers and eight flowering plants, representing nine different families. To date our observations suggest that these plants are different and distinguishable from other existing cultivars. The plants will be further evaluated for their potential value as new cultivars, as locally adapted propagation material, as valuable genetic resources for diversity of wild and cultivated plants and as parents for subsequent hybridization.