Online: ISSN 2784 – 0360 | ISSN – L 2784 – 0360 | Print: ISSN 2784 – 0379 ISSN-L 2784 – 0360

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Cojocariu Mirela

Growth Analysis of Cineraria maritima Plants in Green Façade Systems: Northeastern Romania Climate Study

May 26, 2023 |

Mirela Cojocariu, Elena Liliana Chelariu, Ciprian Chiruţă

ABSTRACT. Green façades are gradually gaining popularity and may become a modern architectural solution for higher microclimate quality and better urban comfort in densely populated urban areas. This study aimed to monitor the behaviour of Cineraria maritima planted in green façade systems oriented towards four cardinal points in the specific climatic conditions of northeastern Romania in order to test its adaptability and growth in this system. Comparisons were made of its behaviour between the façades of the experimental structure, and between the façades of the experimental structure and the traditional ‘planted in soil’ variant (control variant). Cineraria maritima exhibited good adaptability to vertical cultivation, maintaining its aesthetic properties throughout the growing season. All specimens that overwintered on the façades successfully survived the cold season of 2021–2022 without requiring any cutting or protection measures.

Keywords: Cineraria maritima; urban design; green façades; vertical decor.

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Ornamental Vegetable Garden Design Possibilities Using Modular Raised Beds

May 3, 2023 |

Ana-Maria-Roxana Hangan, Mirela Cojocariu, Doina-Mira Dascălu, Elena-Liliana Chelariu, Vasile Stoleru

ABSTRACT. Ornamental vegetable gardens have many benefits. They are aesthetic, educational, ecological, economical, sanitary, and are a source of fresh food. Small allotments in urban and peri-urban areas do not allow the implementation of utilitarian gardens. Thus, ornamental vegetable gardens are the best choice. Raised beds can be used to enhance the decorative effect of the entire vegetable garden. This type of construction presents, in turn, several advantages both for the user and crop: reduced effort for maintenance work, early heating of the substrate, loose substrate, reduced volume of weeds, efficient use of space for plants, etc. Establishing ornamental vegetable gardens on raised beds is easily achieved using geometric modules, as they can be adapted to various designs. This paper presents several design options for a decorative vegetable garden on private properties. The case studies presented showed different methods of using modular raised beds depending on the property’s area, the owner’s wishes, and the desired area to be planted. Also, depending on the results obtained from the experimental batch, three other variations of modular layouts with different purposes were proposed: focal point, physically closed but visually open space, and relaxation space.

Keywords: edible landscape; vegetable garden; raised beds; design.

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A Comparative Study of the Behaviour of Antirrhinum Majus Species Cultivated in Fields and in Vertical Systems for Green Façades under the Climate Conditions in the North-Eastern Region of Romania

Oct 7, 2022 |

Mirela Cojocariu, Elena Liliana Chelariu, Ciprian Chiruţă, Petronica Amişculesei, Andromeda Cristina Sonea

ABSTRACT. A highly popular and well-known flowering species for the unmistakable shape of its velvety and beautifully coloured flowers, Antirrhinum majus is often used in garden decor due to its long flowering period, ease of cultivation and low maintenance during the growing season. This study aims to investigate the behaviour of a dwarf variety of the Antirrhinum majus species grown in both vertical systems for green façades and also in a control field under the climate conditions in the north-eastern region of Romania. The façades of the vertical structure were been oriented towards a cardinal point, each of them having four equal layers arranged on height. The study found that this dwarf variety adapts very well to vertical systems, maintaining its ornamental features for a long time. During the experiment, observations included the diameter, height and number of flowers per plant in the control variant and on each side of the experimental structure.
The highest values in July and August for plant diameter, plant height and the number of flowers were shown for the western facade and the lowest for the control variant. Instead, the control variant in September held the first position showing the highest means for all three monitored parameters and the lowest were for the southern orientation.

Keywords: Antirrhinum majus; annual décor; green façades; urban design.

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© by the authors; licensee Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment, Iasi, Romania. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)