“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.
-
Read more
Daurian rhododendron. Zabaykalsky region
Daurian rhododendron (Latin: Rhododendron dauricum) is a shrub 0.5-2 meters tall with dense, branching shoots that stretch upwards. It got its name from Dauria or Daurian Land. The Russians named this part of the Zabaykalye (Transbaikal) territory after the Daurs, a Mongolic-speaking people who lived there.
Daurian rhododendron has an unofficial but very popular folk name — bagulnik. The main wonder of this plant is its flowers. It is hard to imagine that such a hardy shrub, which grows literally on rocks, easily withstands forty-degree winters, and sprouts through the ashes of forest fires, can have such soft and delicate flowers.
Daurian rhododendron is listed in the Red Book. For the people of Transbaikalia, it is more than just a plant. It is a symbol of the region, a symbol of resilience and vitality. Therefore, the pavilion of Zabaykalsky region is shaped like a bagulnik.
-
Read more
Tulip. Republic of Kalmykia
In spring, the harsh Kalmyk steppe is transformed, becoming covered with a colorful carpet of tulips. During this period, the Tulip Blossom Festival takes place here - it is a vibrant folklore and ethnographic festival that introduces the natural wealth, traditional culture and cuisine of the region.
Many people consider Holland to be the birthplace of tulips. But in fact, it was from the Kalmyk steppes that merchants traveling along the Great Silk Road brought tulip bulbs in the XVII century. The name “tulip” comes from the Persian word “toliban”, which denotes an oriental headdress - a turban, in shape resembling a tulip.
Steppe tulips of Kalmykia are wild. The flowering period usually falls in April-May. The tulip is a delicate flower and chooses its own time for blooming. The miracle of the steppes blooms for almost a week. And under favorable climate conditions it can bloom longer.
-
Read more
Salvia. Lugansk People's Republic
Salvia is one of the varieties of the herbaceous sage plant, which can be found ubiquitously in the meadows of the Lugansk People's Republic, while ornamental varieties are used in flowerbed compositions.
Most commonly, meadow sage can be found in our steppes. It has medicinal properties and is used for therapeutic purposes: it helps with colds and inflammations and is used to treat skin and many other diseases. In the villages of the republic, people still say, "Plant sage in your garden, and you won't need a doctor."
Another reason people love sage is that it is an excellent honey plant, producing large amounts of nectar. Beekeepers and gardeners highly value it. Sage flowers emit a very pleasant aroma, reminiscent of lavender, attracting numerous insects that pollinate garden and orchard crops.
-
Read more
Sea holly. Kaliningrad region
In the Kaliningrad region, there are 19 plants whose specific epithets include the words "maritime" or "seaside," including one in cultivation. Nine of them are found on the Curonian Spit. They are not botanically related and often belong to different genera and families. Their external characteristics also vary. However, all these species share a common trait: their proximity to the sea.
Among them, the sea holly (Eryngium maritimum) is the most recognizable and popular species on the Baltic coast. It was chosen by scientists of the last century as the symbol of the Prussian Botanical Society.
Sea holly is a real treasure trove of beneficial and healing substances that have a positive effect on the body. Healers have long used the root, inflorescence, stem, and leaves to prepare various infusions that significantly improve the well-being of people with kidney problems.
-
Read more
Caucasian rhododendron. Karachay-Cherkess Republic
Caucasian rhododendron, or mountain rose (also known as snow rose), is one of the symbols of Karachay-Cherkessia, which has even found its place on the coat of arms of the region. In early summer, the honey-bearing and healing plant decorates green alpine meadows and the banks of hundreds of crystal-clear mountain rivers and lakes of the republic, located at an altitude of more than 2000 meters, with its blossoms. Having caught the fragrance of the delicate flower once, mountain lovers return to it again and again. Rhododendron is an endemic of the North Caucasus and is listed in the Red Data Book.
Caucasian rhododendron (popularly known as alpine or mountain rose) is an evergreen shrub of the Heather family (Ericaceae). It is the largest species in the heather family, in height reaches 1-1.5 meters. This ancient plant originated on earth several million years ago. Its name comes from the Greek words "ronon" — rose and "dendron" — tree. Italian physician, philosopher and botanist Andrea Cesalpino in 1585 gave a name to plants of this genus - rhododendron. In total, rhododendron counts about a thousand species, there are five of them in the Caucasus.
-
Read more
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.
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.
