“FUTURE IN FLOWERS” FESTIVAL
The festival began on 21 May and ended on 8 July, on the last day of the RUSSIA EXPO. This large-scale flower marathon captured the whole VDNKh area, and unique art objects made of flowers were introduced in several locations simultaneously. Guests could witness more than 100 million flowers, flower exhibits from all 89 regions of the country, and designer flower compositions from institutions and state corporations. Future in Flowers workshop held floristry classes, lectures from well-known plant breeders, and fun trivia games. Visitors were shown the best achievements of national plant breeders: about 400 types of peonies, 140 types of lilacs, 120 types of irises, 250 types of roses, 30 types of dahlias, as well as other flowers and plants of Russia.
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Narrow-leaf fireweed (Ivan-chai). Tyumen region
Narrow-leaf fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium (L.) Scop.) known in Russia as Ivan-chai (lit. Ivan-tea) is a perennial herbaceous plant, the type species of the genus Chamaenerion, belonging to the family Onagraceae. It is often considered part of the genus Epilobium. Commonly known as "Koporye tea" and "field tea," in Russia, it has been used to produce tea as a substitute for expensive Chinese tea since the XVIII century.
Fireweed is widespread throughout the Northern Hemisphere, especially in the forest zone of Siberia, where it is one of the main honey plants. In the Tyumen region, it grows in the Tobolsk district and the Antipino area. Look for Ivan-chai on forest edges, ravine slopes, and riverbanks. This plant can quickly cover large areas in clearings and burnt-out areas due to its rapid vegetative reproduction, which helps restore soil fertility. Due to its ability to grow in fire-damaged areas, it is also called fire herb, garevik, pozharnik in Russia.
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Feather grass. Orenburg region
The blooming of feather grass is an event of unique beauty in the Orenburg region, one that leaves a lasting impression. Feather grass is a genus of perennial monocotyledonous herbaceous plants from the family Poaceae, or true grasses. It is one of the most common plants in the steppes.
In Latin and Greek, feather grass is known as Stipa, a name closely related to the Russian word for "steppe." Feather grass thrives in dry soil, growing in steppe meadows, open hills, rocks, and stony outcrops. There are about 80 species of feather grass in Russia, and around 300 species worldwide.
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Siberian pine. Tomsk region
The cone, which became the center of the region's composition at the RUSSIA EXPO, symbolizes the heart of the green, rich in forest resources region.
The Siberian pine, or Siberian cedar as it is called in Russia (Latin: Pínus sibírica), was chosen as the center of the composition for a reason. The pine forest occupies one fifth of the forest fund of the region. Siberian pine is one of the most beautiful and majestic trees of Siberia. Siberian pine lives up to 300-500 years, but only at the age of 30-60 years it begins to bear nuts. That is why it is often said that it is a tree for grandchildren. Only the grandchildren of the person who planted it can enjoy its nuts.
Since ancient times, people have considered the Siberian pine to be an animated being. There is a legend about a tired hunter who once camped under an ancient cedar tree in a remote taiga. The cedar was very old, all covered with twisted, crooked branches, and the ground under its crown was covered with a thick layer of fallen needles.
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Cloudberry. Nenets Autonomous Area
A unique berry called cloudberry grows in the Nenets Autonomous Area. The residents of this polar region consider cloudberries a symbol of the Nenets area, along with reindeer.
Cloudberry (scientific name Rubus chamaemorus L.) is a perennial low herbaceous plant of the Rubus genus, part of the Rosaceae family. This arcto-alpine species grows only in tundras and marshes.
The plant blooms from June to July, and the berries ripen 40–45 days later. The fruit is a semi-spherical aggregate of drupes, fused together, with a distinctive smell and taste. Unripe berries are yellow-red, somewhat firm and "squeaky," while ripe berries are orange, resembling pure, bright amber.
In ancient times, cloudberries were called "swamp amber", "eyes of the swamp", "swamp watchman", and in the north, "royal berry". Folk names for cloudberries include "northern orange", "arctic raspberry", and "moss currant". For the Nenets, cloudberries symbolize femininity. Ornaments depicting cloudberries are placed on baby cradles as a protective charm. There is also a dance ensemble named "Moroshki" in Naryan-Mar, established in 1985.
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Creeping jenny. Moscow region
Creeping jenny, moneywort or twopenny grass (Lysimachia nummularia) is an amazing sprawling perennial plant with round leaves resembling coins and golden-yellow flowers. Creeping jenny is one of approximately two hundred species of the Lysimachia genus.
In Russia, the plant was known as "meadow tea" and was used as an herbal tea. Additionally, its leaves were once used to produce a dye for coloring fabrics yellow.
The plant thrives in moist, shady places, typically growing in forests under the tree canopy, on floodplain meadows, and along the banks of lakes and ponds.
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Flax. Ivanovo region
Flax is a plant that has been the mainstay of the region's economy and life since ancient times. At the beginning of the XX century, the textile industry began to develop on a large scale. Flax was grown in these lands as the main raw material for fabrics. Clothes, porridge, seeds for salads, garden plants - flax had a wide range of uses.
Now a new stage in the industry is emerging with the use of technology and the forgotten raw material — flax. Flax growing and flax processing is a priority for the development of the agro-industrial complex of the Ivanovo region. It helps the economic cluster to resume the work of textile industries that use flax as a raw material.
Along with the RUSSIA EXPO, the flower festival is also coming to an end.
The "Future in Flowers" festival continues at the RUSSIA EXPO, where unique flowerbeds from all regions of our country can be seen at the "Space" pavilion until July 8.
The RUSSIA EXPO concludes on July 8, and with it, the flower festival will also come to an end.
