“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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Fern. Jewish Autonomous Region
The Jewish region is located in the south of the Far East. Among the rich vegetation, the fern — a symbol of the beginning of life and the Far Eastern talisman — stands out.
Fern is a relict plant, one of the oldest on Earth, its history goes back millions of years. Ferns grow in forests and swamps, prefer wet places and fertile soil. This plant can be found in many different parts of the world, including Europe, Asia and America. And one of the most famous and favorite fern species in the Far East is the eagle fern with beautiful leaves up to 1 meter long.
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Reindeer lichen. Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area
Reindeer lichen (also known as reindeer moss), a modest-looking yet completely unique organism in its properties, forms the foundation of the vegetation cover in the Far North, including the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area. It belongs to a peculiar group of plants: a symbiotic organism composed of fungi and algae (cyanobacteria).
This plant is remarkably resilient to extreme conditions, low temperatures, as well as high doses of ultraviolet and penetrating radiation. It easily endures long periods without moisture.
Reindeer lichen is a staple in the diet of the reindeer. The animals can detect the scent of reindeer lichen through the snow and dig it out with their hooves. Reindeer lichen grows very slowly, requiring many years to restore pastures. For instance, the average growth rate of fruticose lichens in the Arctic tundra subzone is 1-2 mm, while in the forest-tundra zone it reaches up to 3-4 mm per year.
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Marya's root. Komi republic
Probably every resident of the Komi Republic knows and loves the song "Maryamol," dedicated to the beautiful and rare flower called Marya's root in Russian (Paeonia anomala or anomalous peony). In our country, there are 16 species of peonies, but in the republic, only the northernmost peony grows - Marya's root.
Marya's root is a herbaceous perennial that can reach a height of one meter. This peony has straight stems and large purple-pink flowers. Flowering begins in May, reaches its peak in June, but you can still find the last flowers even in July. This peony was named Marya's root for its unusually large underground part of the bush with a sharp smell and a sweet taste.
Marya's root plays a significant role in the traditional medicine of the region. Its healing properties have been known since ancient times. Infusions are used as a sedative for neurasthenia with increased excitability.
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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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Rhododendron mucronulatum. Primorye region
In spring in cities, forests and hills of Primorye, delicate pink clouds appear. This is the rhododendron blooming. Its delicate flowers represent both the fragility and strength of nature. The Russian folk name of rhododendron is bagulnik, and it is also called the Primorye sakura.
There are more than 10 species of rhododendrons in the Russian Far East, 8 species in Primorye region, and one species that needs protection in Vladivostok suburbs. It is rhododendron mucronulatum (lat. "sharply pointed").
Since 1994, thanks to the proposal of the outstanding botanist of Russia Sigismund Kharkevich, rhododendron mucronulatum has become one of the two symbols of Vladivostok along with the Amur tiger. By the way, Vladivostok is the only city in Russia that has legally approved natural symbols. And in 2024 this plant celebrates a kind of anniversary.
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Cherry tree. Vladimir region
The history of the appearance of the cherry tree on the Vladimir land has several versions, but all of them say that the cherry tree came to us from Byzantium together with Orthodoxy.
According to one version, the first saplings of the southern tree were brought by Andrei Bogolyubsky, according to another - by Athonite monks, according to the third - the cherry was brought in the wagon of the Kiev Metropolitan.
Delicate blossom, exquisite fruits - a tree unseen in Russia was a rare curiosity.
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.
