“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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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.
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Artysh (Siberian juniper). Republic of Tuva
Artysh (Tuvan Siberian juniper or Juniperus sibirica) is a genus of evergreen coniferous plants in the Cupressaceae family of the order Pinales.
In the local language, it is called artysh, shaman herb, arsa, archa, shug-pa. Despite its name, its habitat is extensive. In the north, it grows in the Arctic zone, in the temperate zone, and in regions with a warm climate— in mountains at altitudes up to 4200 meters above sea level.
This is a very hardy plant capable of withstanding low and high temperatures. Moreover, its appearance changes little depending on the habitat and climatic zone. It is considered one of the most frost-resistant coniferous species. Among the shrubs of the undergrowth, juniper is the most long-lived. Plants aged 300–400 years are not uncommon.
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Feather grass. Orenburg region
The blooming of feather grass is an event of unique beauty in the Orenburg region, one that leaves a lasting impression. Feather grass is a genus of perennial monocotyledonous herbaceous plants from the family Poaceae, or true grasses. It is one of the most common plants in the steppes.
In Latin and Greek, feather grass is known as Stipa, a name closely related to the Russian word for "steppe." Feather grass thrives in dry soil, growing in steppe meadows, open hills, rocks, and stony outcrops. There are about 80 species of feather grass in Russia, and around 300 species worldwide.
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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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Kaluga rose. Kaluga region
Floriculture is one of the growth points for the Kaluga region. A quarter of all greenhouse flowers in the country are grown here. Special attention is paid to roses: there are more than 60 varieties of them in local farms. And recently the region has got its own special flower - a white rose, which received its name in honor of the regional capital.
The Kaluga rose is a peony-like variety from the Netherlands, which is grown by the breeders of the largest Kaluga flower production company. It all started three years ago with a single flower. Thanks to the experience and talent of local specialists, they managed to breed it. Now it is the top variety for the company and the whole region.
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Purple loosestrife. Sverdlovsk region
The king of Ural herbs is the purple loosestrife "Blush" (Latin: Lythrum salicaria). In folklore, this plant is also called "weeping herb." In the "Book of the Dove," Russian spiritual verses from the XV century, it was written that "the weeping herb is the mother of all herbs."
This plant was endowed with magical and healing powers, and quarreling friends would come to make peace with this flower. Crosses made from purple loosestrife were believed to ward off evil forces and protect from arrows, bullets, and swords. People would hang these crosses above doors and windows to keep evil out and prevent nightmares. The stem of the weeping herb, cut at dawn on the eve of Ivan's Day (summer solstice), was used as a talisman by treasure seekers.
Purple loosestrife was also used to predict the weather. Half an hour before rain, the plant would "start to cry." In reality, this "intelligent" plant sensed moisture in the air and released excess liquid. You can check this phenomenon while strolling in the most famous nature park in the Sverdlovsk region, "Deer Streams."
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.
