“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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Great burnet. Omsk region
Great burnet belongs to the Rosaceae family. In Russian, it is known as krovohlebka (blood sucker), rodovik, gryzhnik, krasnogolovka (red head), krovogolovka (blood head), krovostyag, ogoroshnik, styagnikrov, and adder’s potion. Its scientific name, Sanguisórba officinális, comes from the Latin words sanguis — blood, sorbeo — to absorb, and officinális — medicinal. Despite its ominous name, this plant has remarkable properties.
There are eight species of Sanguisorba found in Russia, the most well-known being the great burnet (S. officinalis), a perennial reaching up to 100, sometimes 120 cm in height. In the Omsk region, the great burnet is widespread: found in forest glades, steppe meadows, and taiga zones.
According to legend, the goddess Flora once discovered a leech on her leg while walking by a forest lake and became very angry. She threw the bloodsucker away, commanding it to become a plant. Thus, the leech turned into great burnet.
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Alpine Bearberry. Kamchatka Region
From late spring to mid-autumn, the plant life of Kamchatka astounds with its multitude of colors and diversity. The geographical location of the peninsula, its humid oceanic climate, and active volcanism influence its formation. The bright, delicate, and resilient flowers of Kamchatka withstand cold sea fogs, extreme temperatures, and strong winds. One of the symbols proving the vitality of Kamchatka’s nature is the Alpine bearberry.
The scientific Latin name Arctous alpina (L.) Niedenzu comes from the Greek Arctous, meaning "northern". This low-growing deciduous shrub, standing 10–50 centimeters tall, is found in the vast tundra and on the rocky slopes at the foot of volcanoes. The resilience of this little brave northerner is highlighted by Kamchatka botanist and researcher at the Kronotsky State Nature Reserve, Maria Otkidach.
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Veronica. Moscow
Veronica (or speedwell) is a floral symbol of Moscow. The name of the flower comes from the Latin words vera unica — "real medicine".
Veronica is the largest genus of flowering plants of the plantain family, a forest-steppe species. All wild species of Veronica have a common feature — it is a blue shade of petals, the color of a clear sky on a summer day. Inflorescences are spike-shaped or panicle-shaped, consisting of many small buds. Blossoming is long, for a month and a half, falls at the height of summer. Breeders have long been interested in Veronica and have developed many decorative varieties with sky blue, navy blue, pink and white spike-shaped inflorescences.
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Anomalous peony. Kurgan Region
Anomalous peony, known also as Marya's root in Russian (Paeonia anomala L.) is a rare red-listed plant of the Kurgan region. The name of the flower comes from the Greek word paionios - healing, medicinal, in honor of the ancient Greek physician Peon, who was famous for his knowledge of healing herbs.
Peonies are perennial herbaceous summer-green plants. They bloom in May-June and usually grow to a height of 60-100 cm. Peony flowers are large, fragrant, purplish-pink, 8-13 cm in diameter.
Anomalous peony was bred back in the XVIII century as an ornamental plant to decorate gardens and complement floral compositions. Today the plant can be found wild in the region. Peonies grow under the canopy of the relict forest on the territory of the nature monument “Cherry Island Dacha”, whose unique flora regularly attracts biologists and local historians, as well as many tourists - nature lovers. Peonies can also be admired on the peninsulas of the salt water body of the resort “Lake Medvezhye” in the Kurgan region.
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Fernleaf peony. Ulyanovsk region
The fernleaf peony (Paeonia tenuifolia) is an incredibly beautiful and rare wildflower listed in the Red Data Book. It is recognizable by its large, bright red and dark purple flowers and its needle-like, lacy leaves. The peony is one of the symbols of the Ulyanovsk region and is depicted on the flag of the Radishchevsky urban settlement.
It is believed that the fernleaf peony is the very "scarlet flower" that the youngest daughter asked the merchant for in the eponymous fairy tale. Several facts support this version: the Aksakov family estate was located in the Simbirsk region (now the village of Aksakovo, Mainsky district, Ulyanovsk region), and Sergei Timofeyevich drew most of the plots for his works from his life. According to Aksakov, he first heard the plot of the "Scarlet Flower" from the housekeeper Pelageya, a local resident.
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Pansies. Bryansk region
If the beginning of spring was warm and sunny, then as early as in April pansies (called in Russian "Anyuta's eyes") begin to bloom on the meadows and forest edges of the Bryansk region. This is the folk name of the flowers, which botanists call Víola wittrockiána. In the language of flowers, the three colors of the petals have their own meaning: white is a symbol of hope, yellow is for surprise, and purple is for sadness.
Pansies are a long-known, but still popular hybrid of large-flowered European violets.
It is believed that the fashion for pansies in Russia appeared thanks to the work of L. Tolstoy's “Anna Karenina”, in which the main heroine decorated her outfits and hairstyles with these flowers.
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.
