Ecological characteristics of high quality wild ornamental plants in South China

Around 6.000 plant species in China have ornamental uses. This study aims to identify new ornamental plant species that are able to survive in urban environments of China and not stand out from the landscaping plants growing in the local parks, gardens, and walkways. The list of ornamental plants includes exclusively open-ground plants. The study on 29 wild plant species commonly found across Southern China involved growing plants from 9.200 seeds and measuring their survival at the first (herbals) and the fifth 5 year of age (shrubs and trees). Of all study plants, 16 showed high germination and survival rates (over 50%) and can be used in park and city landscaping, whereas other specimens demonstrated survival rates lower than 50%. For lianas, the number of species suitable for landscaping is 3. Low germination rates did not determine a rapid decline in survival during the first and fifth years. Herbals turned out to have the highest germination rates (over 50% in 6 out of 7 specimens). Among trees, species that may be planted together along sidewalks to form groves and plantations include Ilex latifolia, Delavaya toxocarpa, and Vernicia fordii. Among vines, Trachelospermum jasminoides or star jasmine can be used as a tree climber. Among shrubs and herbals, Melastoma dodecandrum and Corydalis edulis can be planted in flower beds and rock gardens. This work examines plant species not only from the decorative prospective but also in terms of suitability for growing in urban conditions.