Features of growing new cultivars of annual flowering plants in Kola Subarctic

Annual flower plants are widely used in landscaping of cities of Kola Subarctic. The selection of sustainable, promising species of annuals and the development of agricultural technology for their cultivation are priorities. For the first time in the conditions of the Murmansk region, 7 new cultivars of annuals were tested: Callistephus chinensis (L.) Nees cv. ´Fan´ var. ´Deep rose´ and ´White´, Antirrhinum majus L. cv. ´Potomac Cherry Rose´, Calendula officinalis L. cv. ´Costa Yellow´ and cv. ´Calypso Orange with Black Center´, Tagetes erecta L. cv. ´Big Top Gold´, Tagetes patula L. cv. ´Hot Pack Gold´ and cv. ´Alumia Cream Brulee´. Flowering time ranged from 55 (Callistephus chinensis cv. ‘Fan’) to 120 days (Calendula officinalis cv. ´Calypso Orange with Black Center´). The main biometric indicators (height, diameter of flowers and inflorescences) fully corresponded to plants grown in more southern regions for 4 cultivars (Callistephus chinensis cv. ´Fan´, Calendula officinalis cv. ´Costa Yellow´ and cv. ´Calypso Orange with Black Center´, Tagetes patula cv. ´Hot Pack Gold´), 3 others were rated lower. According to most indicators, the cultivar ‘Calypso Orange with Black Center’ had high decorativeness, due to compactness of bushes and duration of flowering (120 days). The features of agricultural technology of the tested cultivars at the seedling stage were the following: adjustment of timing of sowing seeds, obligatory 3–4‑week hardening, regular application of fertilizers and growth stimulants. On the whole, the new cultivars have successfully adapted to the conditions of the region, retaining their decorative properties. therefore, they can be considered promising for flower decoration of populated areas of the Kola Subarctic.