“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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Sphagnum moss. Karelia
Karelia is one of the marshiest regions of Russia, with swamps covering almost a quarter of the republic's territory. This is a complex and rich ecosystem that is protected by the state.
Moss is found everywhere in Karelia. Sphagnum, or Sphagnum moss (from the Greek "sphagnos," meaning sponge), is a common inhabitant of swamps. In Russia, more than forty species of sphagnum grow.
Sphagnum moss has unique moisture-absorbing properties, capable of absorbing water up to 20 times its mass.
Bog moss has no roots; its cells grow upwards while the lower layers gradually die off. However, they do not rot. Decay is prevented by the phenol contained in sphagnum—an antiseptic that kills bacteria. From the dying parts of sphagnum, raised bog peat is formed. This is how, due to sphagnum and other aquatic plants, lakes become overgrown and swamps appear.
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Creeping jenny. Moscow region
Creeping jenny, moneywort or twopenny grass (Lysimachia nummularia) is an amazing sprawling perennial plant with round leaves resembling coins and golden-yellow flowers. Creeping jenny is one of approximately two hundred species of the Lysimachia genus.
In Russia, the plant was known as "meadow tea" and was used as an herbal tea. Additionally, its leaves were once used to produce a dye for coloring fabrics yellow.
The plant thrives in moist, shady places, typically growing in forests under the tree canopy, on floodplain meadows, and along the banks of lakes and ponds.
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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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Common yarrow. Saratov region
Common yarrow, or thousand-leaf (Achillea millefolium) is a perennial herbaceous plant, a species of the genus Yarrow (Achillea) of the Aster family. It is used as a medicinal, spicy, ornamental and honey-bearing plant, as well as for the restoration of arable land and pastures.
Yarrow is widely distributed in Europe and Asia. In Russia, it is found in almost all regions, including the Saratov region. With the onset of summer, plants with small snow-white flowers can be seen on roadsides, ravine slopes and glades. Although the plant can not be attributed to weeds, it is characterized by unpretentiousness.
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Asian globe flower. Republic of Khakassia
Zharok (Trollius asiaticus) - this is the name the locals in Khakassia give to this flower - burns with a magical orange flame in the fields and meadows almost all summer, reminding us of the ancient legends that the Khakassian land is so rich in.
Majestic mountains, steppes, dense taiga, healing lakes, the mighty Yenisei. The land of five elements, a crossroads of civilizations -Khakassia is famous not only for its unique natural diversity but also for its archaeological heritage. Burial mounds, graves, ancient settlements, towns, fortresses, rock carvings, stone statues - here, almost every meter of land is scattered with archaeological monuments. And all this natural and historical wealth, of course, is reflected in many beautiful legends. One of them is associated with zharok, which has become the hallmark of the region.
In nature, zharok grows in damp meadows, forest glades, forests, ascending into high mountains up to the alpine belt, and in the north, it penetrates the tundra. Since the XVIII century, the Asian globe flower has also settled in European gardens - its seeds were sent to the famous naturalist Carl Linnaeus by the scientist and traveler Erik Laxman, who lived and worked in Siberia at the time.
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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.
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.
