“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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Rhodiola rosea. Khanty-mansi autonomous area
Rhodiola rosea is a plant from the Crassulaceae family, listed in the Red Data Book of Yugra. In popular usage, Rhodiola is called "golden root" due to its unique medicinal properties and the golden color of its roots. It also has a second name, "rose root," because of its sweet fragrance that closely resembles that of a rose.
In folk medicine, rhodiola has been known to people for several centuries, it is especially popular in the northern expanses of the Russian Urals and Siberia. Rhodiola rosea is often compared to ginseng, although it is much more affordable. It helps the body adapt to adverse environmental conditions and cope with the effects of diseases and stress. It is used to enhance endurance, performance, and longevity.
Interestingly, the plant has always been surrounded by many legends, and the locations where golden root grows were carefully hidden from outsiders.
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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.
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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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Schisandra. Amur region
Chinese magnolia vine or five-flavor berry (lat. Schisándra chinénsis) is a species of flowering plants of the genus Schisandra in the family Schisandraceae.
It is a unique plant of the Far East, a woody deciduous creeping liana 10-15 m long and up to 1.5-2 cm in diameter, in northern areas — up to 2-4 m long, spirally winding supports clockwise.
Europeans learned about Chinese magnolia vine in the early XIX century, about the same time Russian scientists became interested in it. In 1895, botanist and connoisseur of Far Eastern plants Vladimir Komarov published the stories of hunters that, going to the taiga for a long time, they do not take large stocks of food, and instead restore their strength with dried Schisandra berries. Thanks to this, they can chase sables for days without food and rest, keeping vigor of mind and sharpness of eye. Fishermen, leaving for a voyage, stocked up on the juice of the fruit of this liana, as it relieves seasickness.
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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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Lilacs. Belgorod region
The Belgorod region can rightfully be considered the capital of lilacs. For several years, local breeders have been meticulously cultivating various varieties of this beautiful plant.
Today, the syringarium at the Belgorod University Botanical Garden boasts more than 500 varieties. Here, lilacs are not only collected but also propagated using the most modern technologies. The laboratory for micro-clonal propagation of lilacs annually sends more than 5,000 test-tube-grown seedlings to nurseries across Russia for further growth. This means that today Belgorod lilacs grow in every corner of our country. Of course, they also adorn the regional capital and other settlements of the Belgorod region.
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.
