Decision makers in choosing the appropriate plant species to regulate the surroundings of the elementary school

Proučevali smo dejavnike, ki vplivajo na izbor rastlin v okolici osnovne šole. Osredotočili smo se na osnovno šolo Horjul in na dveh terenskih obiskih, v poletnem in zimskem času, preučili njeno okolico. Zabeležili smo rastline, ki že uspevajo v okolici šole in določili njihovo vrednost. Sestali smo se z vodstvom šole in prišli do zaključka, da imajo željo urediti šolsko okolico. Dejavnike, ki vplivajo na ureditev okolice smo razdelili na tiste, na katere človek ne more ali težko vpliva, kot so: lega, podnebje in lastnosti terena ter na ostale dejavnike, ki jih človek po svoji želji lahko oblikuje. Na podlagi proučenih dejavnikov smo sestavili nabor rastlin, ki bo primeren za šolsko okolico in njene potrebe. V nabor smo vključili rastline, ki imajo poleg estetske vloge tudi pomembno izobraževalno funkcijo. Med te rastline sodijo npr. stare drevesne sadne sorte, kot sta \u27Tepka\u27 in \u27Carjevič\u27, lokalne sorte zelenjadnic, kot je solata \u27Posavka\u27 ter zelišča, kot je žajbelj (Salvia officinalis L.). V ta nabor smo vključili tudi različne lesnate rastline (cigarar, leska, vrba), trajnice (plamenka, hermelika, rman), enoletnice (milijon zvončki, cinija) in čebulnice (tulipan). Z upoštevanjem vseh dejavnikov v okolici šole pridobimo zanimiv, varen in tudi estetsko privlačen prostor, ki bo mlade generacije navduševal in poučeval o pomenu narave ter skrbi zanjo.A healthy and educational school environment influences the positive development of a child, his learning motivation and stress reduction. The quality of school environment gets more attention in the city centres, where it represents a green oasis. The study presents the issue of choosing the right plants for a school environment. Study aims towards understanding the school environment as an added value to the school activities, such as pedagogical tools, learning material, extracurricular activities, a place for recreation and relaxation. The research study included Slovenian Primary school in Horjul, its landscape quality, environment, plant vitality, conflicts with infrastructures, density, as well as pupils´ habits and historical variety of plants grown by Horjul locals. The results demonstrate that poorly managed and dangerous surroundings are a result of reckless plant selection without educational purpose, which resulted from unskilled staff and schools´s sparing policy. The plant selection proposed in this paper contains plans for an aesthetic, autochthonous, fruit, honey-bearing plants, herbal and sport section. The plant selection is designed to carry an additional value for primary school. It contains old tree varieties, e.g., \u27Tepka\u27 and \u27Carjevič\u27, autochthonous varieties of vegetable, e.g., green salad \u27Posavka\u27 (Lactuca sativa L.) and herbs, e.g., sage (Salvia officinalis L.). The selection also contains woody plants, perennials, annuals, biennials and flower bulbs. The results can be useful to guide the decisions made by horticulturists, landscape architects, educational institutions and retirement homes when they plan new or renovate the existing surroundings