“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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Red clover. Vologda region
The composition of the Vologda region at the RUSSIA EXPO uses meadow clover, decorative flax, junipers and other plants. Their color palette coincides with the main colors of the region: red and white. These are symbols of fire, the sun, as well as a symbol of revival, a symbol of earthly life, fertility, love, continuation and protection of the family, warrior and manhood, amulet.
Red (meadow) clover belongs to the legume family. Its international botanical name is Trifolium pratense. Translated into Russian, it means "three leafed". This name was given to the plants because of the characteristic structure of the leaves: in all species of clover they are trifoliate. It is very rare to find a four-leafed one among the triple leaves. According to folk legend, such a find should bring good luck.
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Ivan Chai. Novgorod region
Ivan Chai (botanical name — Chamerion angustifolium, also known as Ivan-Tea, fireweed, rosebay willowherb) is a perennial and fast-growing herbaceous plant widespread in many regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Ivan Chai grows in the Novgorod region, where it is collected in the pristine and protected forests of the region.
Ivan Chai has a dense rhizome and a straight stem that reaches up to two meters in height, narrow wedge-shaped leaves, and pinkish-purple inflorescences. In summer, it can be found not only in the forest but also in gardens, as it easily adapts to both shade and open sunlight.People have valued this plant since ancient times. The gathering of this medicinal herb takes place from mid-June to mid-July during the flowering period. In August-September, the inflorescences are covered with fluff, thin white hairs of seeds that emerge from the mature, pod-like fruits. All parts of the herb, from the flowers to the roots, are considered medicinal.
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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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Stankevich pine. Sevastopol
Stankevich pine, also known as Sudak pine, grows on the slopes in the east of Crimea and the southwest, in the Balaklava area. It is a relict endemic species listed in the Red Data Book. The pine is named after the scientist Vaclav Stankevich.
This tree, reaching up to 25 meters in height, has a sprawling, uneven crown with an unusually whimsical shape, resembling mythical creatures. The branches are horizontal, twisted, and resistant to strong winds. The pine is undemanding to soil, surviving even on rocky cliffs and tolerating salty sea water.
This species of conifer is found only in Crimea. The largest grove of Stankevich pine on the peninsula is located in the "Novy Svet" nature reserve, with about 5,000 specimens.
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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.
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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.
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.
