“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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Kamchatka bilberry. Sakhalin region
Kamchatka bilberry (Latin: Vaccinium praestans) is an endemic plant of the Sakhalin region, a wild berry bush from the genus Vaccinium of the Heath family. Locally, this berry is called "klopovka" (lit. "tick's berry"). This unusual Sakhalin berry is distinguished by its large, bright red fruits. The skin is smooth to the touch and glossy. The juicy pulp is edible, but it is usually not consumed raw.
Klopovka shrubs grow near trees in mixed forests and bogs. The plant's shoots can lie on the ground, hidden among grasses and mosses.
The berry picking season is late summer to early autumn. By August, the fruits acquire their characteristic bright red color, and in September, they may darken to a burgundy hue. Berries harvested in August-September have a high concentration of beneficial substances.
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Linden. Lipetsk region
The linden tree is an undeniable symbol of Lipetsk. The city itself is named after this tree. Lindens are everywhere in the Lipetsk region: on the coat of arms of the city and the region, as a steel tree representing Lipetsk metallurgy, and as a symbol of healthy longevity, nature, growth, and progress.
There is a legend that on the grounds of the ironworks in Lipetsk, near the office of Peter I, grew a centuries-old linden tree. According to the legend, the tsar ordered the tree to be preserved during the construction of the factories: "Under the shade of this linden, our work will progress easily and successfully!"
Linden trees live very long—on average 300–400 years, with some specimens reaching up to 1200 years. Thus, the tree also became a symbol of longevity. Linden trees not only adorn avenues but also serve as a source of medicinal raw materials.
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Komarov’s lotus. Khabarovsk region
Komarov's lotus (Nelumbo komarovii Grossh.) is a wild-growing, highly ornamental, medicinal, food and ritual plant. It is included in the Red Data Books of the Russian Federation, Khabarovsk, Primorye region, Jewish Autonomous and Amur regions.
There are two very close species in Russia: Caspian lotus in the European part and Komarov's lotus in the Far East. The Far Eastern lotus was described and singled out as an independent species by Alexander Grossheim in 1940. He named it in honor of Vladimir Leontievich Komarov, the greatest Russian botanist, researcher of the flora of the Far East and neighboring countries. As of now, one of the leading botanists of the region — Doctor of Biological Sciences Maria Kryukova — has been studying lotus in the Khabarovsk region for more than 30 years.
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Zhiguli thyme. Samara region
The flora of the Zhiguli Mountains includes 28 endemic species. Of particular interest are the narrowly localized endemics, one of which is Zhiguli thyme (Thymus zheguliensis). Zhiguli thyme (wild thyme) belongs to the Lamiaceae family. It is a very rare species and is considered endangered.
Zhiguli thyme grows as a small subshrub, forming loose tufts. Its stems are covered with short, down-pressed hairs. The leaves are rounded and have well-defined long petioles. The flower corolla is bright lilac. It blooms in July-August and bears fruit in September. Reproduction is both vegetative and by seeds. It grows in rocky steppe communities.
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Floribunda rose. Yaroslavl region
The Floribunda rose is one of the most popular groups of garden roses, known for its abundant blooming, wide variety of colors and fragrances, hardiness, and good frost resistance. "Floribunda" translates to "abundantly flowering."
The buds bloom in summer and fill the area with bright colors until the first autumn frosts. These bush roses are characterized by lush blooming, usually with 3 to 9 buds on one stem. The colors range from delicate white to deep purple.
Floribunda roses are extremely versatile; they can be used to create living hedges, borders, decorate alpine slides, and embellish the foregrounds of architectural objects.
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Siberian dwarf pine. Magadan region
The Siberian dwarf pine (Latin: Pinus pumila) inhabits the harshest areas of the Russian Far East. These low bushes spread across the taiga, forming dense, impenetrable thickets, earning them the nicknames "lying cedar" and "dwarf pine." In the Magadan region, it is ubiquitous and is the only coniferous tree in the area.
Siberian dwarf pine is among the leaders in the pine family for its high content of phytoncides, providing antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, calming the body, and boosting the immune system. Infusions made from the needles are rich in vitamin C. While modern people use these infusions to support their bodies during colds, three hundred years ago, they literally saved sailors from scurvy. Vitus Bering and his team never went a day without tea or kvass made from dwarf pine during the Second Kamchatka Expedition.
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.
