“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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Lingonberry. Leningrad region
Lingonberry (Latin: Vaccinium vitis-idaea) is a small evergreen shrub of the Vaccinium genus in the Heath family. Lingonberry leaves are covered with a dense, glossy skin, and the dark red berries are known for their health benefits and bright, sour flavor.
Lingonberries grow in various regions of Russia, but they are especially abundant in the Leningrad region. In the fall, the forests here are covered with red carpets of lingonberries, and local residents go on quiet hunts for these tasty and healthy berries. The best harvest usually occurs in September when the fruits are full of juice.
In the past, lingonberry infusions and decoctions were used to treat colds and flu, and even today, natural lingonberry juice can benefit a body weakened by fever. Regular consumption of this vitamin-rich berry can strengthen the immune system and help you forget about illnesses altogether.
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Tuberous begonia. Tula region
Begonia is a very elegant plant, in which literally everything is beautiful: both flowers and leaves. The main feature of begonias is their lush flowers, which completely cover the plant. The plant is characterized by an incredible variety of flower forms - they can be similar in structure to peony, narcissus, carnation or camellia.
Begonia is a genus of plants in the Begoniaceae family. It is a low herbaceous perennial plant with a rhizome in the form of a bowl-shaped tuber.
The first artificial hybrids were obtained in 1870, and subsequently at least seven species were used for crossbreeding. As a result of this painstaking work, more than 200 varieties of this perennial plant were born.
This flower is classified into trailing, herbaceous, and shrub varieties. However, the most important distinguishing feature is the presence of a developed root, which is formed in the shape of a massive tuber, reaching up to 6-7 centimeters in diameter.
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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.
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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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Wild strawberry. Ryazan region
The main feature and pride of the Ryazan region are its forests, which occupy almost a third of the region's territory. The most common type is the pine forest, covering vast areas in the north and east of the region. These areas are incredibly rich in forest harvests: an abundance of mushrooms, valuable essential oil, medicinal and tea plants is complemented by a berry feast. Blueberries, lingonberries, raspberries, cranberries, and, of course, the beloved wild strawberries.
Wild strawberries are valued for their tasty berries and healing properties. The Latin name "fragare" translates to "fragrance." The berries of wild strawberries are indeed very aromatic, juicy, tasty, and sweet.
Wild strawberries also benefit those seeking rejuvenating effects: the essential oil of the berries has anti-inflammatory, calming, and rejuvenating properties.
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Buckwheat. Altai region
The Altai region is a region of thousands of lakes and untouched natural corners, rich in historical and cultural heritage, with a favorable ecology and famous branded products. One of these products is buckwheat (Latin: Fagopyrum esculentum), a species of herbaceous plants of the buckwheat genus (Fagopyrum) in the family Polygonaceae. It is both a cereal and a honey plant.
The Altai region grows a quarter of the world's buckwheat crop. The Altai region can rightfully be called the buckwheat capital, producing up to 70% of all Russian buckwheat.
Historically, buckwheat grew in Northern India, the Himalayas, Southern Siberia, and the Altai region. Russian archaeologists continue to find fossilized buckwheat grains in burial mounds of the Altai people and in excavated Ural camps of Asian nomads dating back to centuries before our era.
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.