“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.
-
Read more
Komarov’s lotus. Khabarovsk region
Komarov's lotus (Nelumbo komarovii Grossh.) is a wild-growing, highly ornamental, medicinal, food and ritual plant. It is included in the Red Data Books of the Russian Federation, Khabarovsk, Primorye region, Jewish Autonomous and Amur regions.
There are two very close species in Russia: Caspian lotus in the European part and Komarov's lotus in the Far East. The Far Eastern lotus was described and singled out as an independent species by Alexander Grossheim in 1940. He named it in honor of Vladimir Leontievich Komarov, the greatest Russian botanist, researcher of the flora of the Far East and neighboring countries. As of now, one of the leading botanists of the region — Doctor of Biological Sciences Maria Kryukova — has been studying lotus in the Khabarovsk region for more than 30 years.
-
Read more
Venus slipper orchid. Republic of Buryatia
The lady's slipper orchid, or Venus slipper (Latin: Cypripedium calceolus) is an ancient herbaceous plant belonging to the Orchid family. In Russia, this flower is also called Adam's head, Mary's slipper, cuckoo boots. It can be seen in the European part of our country, in Siberia and in the Far East. It is included in the Red Book of the Russian Federation. On the territory of Buryatia, it is protected in the Barguzinsky and Jerginsky reserves, Zabaykalsky and Tunkinsky national parks.
According to legend, the name of the flower came from the slipper of Venus, the goddess of beauty. When Venus was running away from her pursuers through a swampy area, she tripped and dropped her slipper. This slipper miraculously transformed into the flower we now know as the Venus slipper.
This species is considered to be a representative of the most beautiful orchids of the northern regions of Russia.
-
Read more
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.
-
Read more
Siberian dwarf pine. Magadan region
The Siberian dwarf pine (Latin: Pinus pumila) inhabits the harshest areas of the Russian Far East. These low bushes spread across the taiga, forming dense, impenetrable thickets, earning them the nicknames "lying cedar" and "dwarf pine." In the Magadan region, it is ubiquitous and is the only coniferous tree in the area.
Siberian dwarf pine is among the leaders in the pine family for its high content of phytoncides, providing antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, calming the body, and boosting the immune system. Infusions made from the needles are rich in vitamin C. While modern people use these infusions to support their bodies during colds, three hundred years ago, they literally saved sailors from scurvy. Vitus Bering and his team never went a day without tea or kvass made from dwarf pine during the Second Kamchatka Expedition.
-
Read more
Salvia. Lugansk People's Republic
Salvia is one of the varieties of the herbaceous sage plant, which can be found ubiquitously in the meadows of the Lugansk People's Republic, while ornamental varieties are used in flowerbed compositions.
Most commonly, meadow sage can be found in our steppes. It has medicinal properties and is used for therapeutic purposes: it helps with colds and inflammations and is used to treat skin and many other diseases. In the villages of the republic, people still say, "Plant sage in your garden, and you won't need a doctor."
Another reason people love sage is that it is an excellent honey plant, producing large amounts of nectar. Beekeepers and gardeners highly value it. Sage flowers emit a very pleasant aroma, reminiscent of lavender, attracting numerous insects that pollinate garden and orchard crops.
-
Read more
Anemone hepatica. Nizhny Novgorod region
Anemone hepatica (Hepatica nobilis) is an herbaceous perennial plant, 5-15 cm tall, with solitary, upright flowers of bluish-purple color. In their young state, the leaves of the hepatica are covered with dense, soft, silky hairs, which they lose later.
The plant belongs to the buttercup family. It blooms in April-May and bears fruit in June (the fruits are nuts up to 5 mm long). It reproduces mainly by seeds.
Anemone hepatica is listed in the Red Data Book of the Nizhny Novgorod region. It can be found in the "Voskresenskoye Povetluzhye" natural park.
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.
