“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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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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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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Woodland Sage. Republic of Adygea
Woodland sage (Latin: Salvia nemorosa) is a perennial plant from the genus Salvia, part of the Lamiaceae family. Other names for it include Moldavian sage, Yailin sage, and woodland salvia.
The plant is found in Europe, the western European part of Russia, and the foothills of Crimea and the Caucasus. It prefers steppes, meadows, and forest edges. Sage is a vibrant representative of the diverse flora of Adygea. The leaves and flowers of woodland sage are highly aromatic and can be added to various dishes as a seasoning or brewed into tea.
Additionally, sage is an excellent honey plant. Almost all types of sage contain essential oils.
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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.
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Siberian pine. Tomsk region
The cone, which became the center of the region's composition at the RUSSIA EXPO, symbolizes the heart of the green, rich in forest resources region.
The Siberian pine, or Siberian cedar as it is called in Russia (Latin: Pínus sibírica), was chosen as the center of the composition for a reason. The pine forest occupies one fifth of the forest fund of the region. Siberian pine is one of the most beautiful and majestic trees of Siberia. Siberian pine lives up to 300-500 years, but only at the age of 30-60 years it begins to bear nuts. That is why it is often said that it is a tree for grandchildren. Only the grandchildren of the person who planted it can enjoy its nuts.
Since ancient times, people have considered the Siberian pine to be an animated being. There is a legend about a tired hunter who once camped under an ancient cedar tree in a remote taiga. The cedar was very old, all covered with twisted, crooked branches, and the ground under its crown was covered with a thick layer of fallen needles.
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Edelweiss. Republic of Dagestan
Edelweiss, or Leontopodium, is an annual or perennial herbaceous plant, 12-25 cm high, of the aster family, widespread in the high mountainous regions of Europe and Asia. The scientific Latin name Leontopodium can be translated from Greek as "lion's paw", which is what the appearance of the inflorescence resembles. But the Russian word "edelweiss" is a transliteration from German and means "noble white".
In his monograph "Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants of Dagestan" Candidate of Biological Sciences, Professor Shamil Huseynov described in detail this amazing flower, which is a symbol of courage and bravery, as well as pure selfless love among highland peoples. Shamil Abdulkasumovich was awarded the title "Merited Worker of Higher School of the Republic of Dagestan" for his contribution to the study of plants of the 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.
