Prospects for the introduction of ornamental plants of the genus Sage (Salvia L.) to the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine

Purpose. Analysis of species and varietal diversity of the genus Salvia L. cultivated flora of the world, including Ukraine; prognostic assessment and determination of the directions of ornamental representatives of the genus introduction to the conditions of the Forest-steppe of Ukraine. Methods. Analysis and synthesis, comparison and generalization of information data, introduction forecast. Results. The modern assortment of the genus Salvia is presented in quantitative, taxonomic, arealogical and ecological-cenotic terms. Belonging of the species of the genus to 6 main centers of origin of cultivated plants was determined, and a significant diversity of life forms (nanophanerophytes, microphanerophytes, hamephites, hemicryptophytes, theophytes), naturally formed under the influence of factors determined by different geographical and ecological-phytocenotic conditions of plant growth was reflected. Species assortment of the genus Salvia from the collection fund of the M. M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine was analyzed in comparison with the collections of other Ukrainian botanical gardens. The list of decorative species of the collection, found in the natural flora of Ukraine, was given. Three groups of species have been identified by origin, what determines the conditions for plant cultivation in the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. In terms of taxonomic structure, introduced sage species belong to eight (according to Bentham, 1833) out of twelve sections, which represent biomorphological diversity and confirm the high introduction potential of these plants.  The species and interspecific hybrids most fully used in breeding work and represented by a significant varietal diversity were distinguished, as well as the sage assortment of the collection of ornamental plants of the NBG was presented. Conclusions. It has been revealed that the species and varietal diversity of the genus Salvia of the world cultivated flora has a significant introduction potential for the Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine. It was determined that the main base for the introduction of the ornamental species of the genus Salvia in Ukraine is the collection of the M. M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. The main directions of further introduction and breeding work with representatives of the genus Salvia in the Forest-Steppe conditions of Ukraine were highlighted.