Using selected habitat European directive species as garden plants : challenges and opportunities

Abstract

The Life+ SEEDFORCE project aims at improving the conservation status of 29 Annex II Habitat European Directive plant species, reported in bad conditions according to the 2013-2018 report on the trends of habitats and species according to art. 17 of the Directive. The project will identify and remove threats to the survival of these species in their native range, will assess their the genetic makeup, model their ecological niche and massively propagate them to bridge the isolation and re-establish gene flow between isolated population. To raise awareness of these species and to engage the public in their active conservation a selection of this species with ornamental and/or garden value will be tested for performance in suitable garden setting, including dry Mediterranean gardens [Cytisus aeolicus Guss., Primula palinuri Petagna, Valeriana amazonum (Fridl. & A.Raynal) Christenh. & Byng, Dracocephalum austriacum L., Eryngium alpinum L.] and wet boggy gardens [Woodwardia radicans (L.) Sm., Adenophora liliifolia (L.) A.DC., Kosteletzkya pentacarpos (L.) Ledeb.]. The project can therefore represent an example of a bridge linking the conservation of natural biodiversity and the production sector of ornamental plants.