“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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Buckwheat. Altai region
The Altai region is a region of thousands of lakes and untouched natural corners, rich in historical and cultural heritage, with a favorable ecology and famous branded products. One of these products is buckwheat (Latin: Fagopyrum esculentum), a species of herbaceous plants of the buckwheat genus (Fagopyrum) in the family Polygonaceae. It is both a cereal and a honey plant.
The Altai region grows a quarter of the world's buckwheat crop. The Altai region can rightfully be called the buckwheat capital, producing up to 70% of all Russian buckwheat.
Historically, buckwheat grew in Northern India, the Himalayas, Southern Siberia, and the Altai region. Russian archaeologists continue to find fossilized buckwheat grains in burial mounds of the Altai people and in excavated Ural camps of Asian nomads dating back to centuries before our era.
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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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Juniper. Republic of Altai
Juniper (Latin: Juniperus) is a genus of evergreen coniferous shrubs of the cypress family (Cupressaceae), growing on rocky slopes, cliffs, and sparse forests. In the Altai Mountains, juniper is represented by three species: false Cossack juniper — at archyn, Cossack juniper — koy archyn, and Siberian juniper — kyrchyn. For the Altai people, juniper is the most sacred, revered, and ethnically significant plant. It has many names: artysh, archyn, archa.
The Telengits (inhabitants of Southern Altai) say that when the Holy Mother descended to the earth, she sat where the juniper (called artysh by the locals) grew. Soon after, she gave birth to her son — God. Because the Holy Mother sat on it, it has a sprawling form. According to the Altai people, juniper possesses cleansing and healing properties. A lit branch of the plant is used to fumigate a sick person, purify a dwelling, cradle, or hearth. People turn to folk healers with a juniper branch, and it is used during matchmaking.
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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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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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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.
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.
