The behaviour of Begonia semperflorens in vertical systems used for green façades, in climatic conditions specific to the Northeastern part of Romania

Abstract

Annual, unpretentious flowering species, Begonia semperflorens 'Big', stands out due to its aesthetic valences constant throughout the growing season. The compact appearance, the abundant and long lasting flowering, the dense and healthy foliage have caused it to be more and more frequently used in the landscaping of parks and urban gardens. This paper aims to study the behavioural pattern of the begonia 'Big' variety in vertical systems for green façades, in the climatic conditions of the N-E part of Europe. The experiment was carried out on height levels, applied to façades oriented towards the four cardinal points with the purpose to conduct a comparative analysis of behaviour, depending on the amount of natural light received specific to each orientation. The study found that Begonia semperflorens 'Big' grown in vertical systems behaves very well regardless of the cardinal orientation of the façade. It is noted, however, that better results were achieved on the north-facing façade in terms of survival rate and coverage.