“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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Flax. Ivanovo region
Flax is a plant that has been the mainstay of the region's economy and life since ancient times. At the beginning of the XX century, the textile industry began to develop on a large scale. Flax was grown in these lands as the main raw material for fabrics. Clothes, porridge, seeds for salads, garden plants - flax had a wide range of uses.
Now a new stage in the industry is emerging with the use of technology and the forgotten raw material — flax. Flax growing and flax processing is a priority for the development of the agro-industrial complex of the Ivanovo region. It helps the economic cluster to resume the work of textile industries that use flax as a raw material.
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Alpine Bearberry. Kamchatka Region
From late spring to mid-autumn, the plant life of Kamchatka astounds with its multitude of colors and diversity. The geographical location of the peninsula, its humid oceanic climate, and active volcanism influence its formation. The bright, delicate, and resilient flowers of Kamchatka withstand cold sea fogs, extreme temperatures, and strong winds. One of the symbols proving the vitality of Kamchatka’s nature is the Alpine bearberry.
The scientific Latin name Arctous alpina (L.) Niedenzu comes from the Greek Arctous, meaning "northern". This low-growing deciduous shrub, standing 10–50 centimeters tall, is found in the vast tundra and on the rocky slopes at the foot of volcanoes. The resilience of this little brave northerner is highlighted by Kamchatka botanist and researcher at the Kronotsky State Nature Reserve, Maria Otkidach.
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Steppe Sage. Rostov Region
In hot weather, blooming sage in the Don steppe emits a spicy and rich fragrance, somewhat similar to the aroma of lavender, with hints of wild herbs and pine. Moreover, the purple-violet flowers stand out prominently against the mixed grassland background.
In the region, the most common type is steppe sage (or meadow sage). It prefers dry meadows, forest edges, and grows along roadsides, fields, and wastelands. The plant's stem, along with its flowers, reaches up to 60 centimeters in height.
The medicinal properties of sage have been known since ancient times. The beneficial qualities of sage for humans are due to its high content of essential oils, tannins, and phytoncides. The plant has astringent, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. It is used in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, sore throats, stomatitis, and bladder inflammation. Sage is also used to relieve toothache.
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Purple loosestrife. Sverdlovsk region
The king of Ural herbs is the purple loosestrife "Blush" (Latin: Lythrum salicaria). In folklore, this plant is also called "weeping herb." In the "Book of the Dove," Russian spiritual verses from the XV century, it was written that "the weeping herb is the mother of all herbs."
This plant was endowed with magical and healing powers, and quarreling friends would come to make peace with this flower. Crosses made from purple loosestrife were believed to ward off evil forces and protect from arrows, bullets, and swords. People would hang these crosses above doors and windows to keep evil out and prevent nightmares. The stem of the weeping herb, cut at dawn on the eve of Ivan's Day (summer solstice), was used as a talisman by treasure seekers.
Purple loosestrife was also used to predict the weather. Half an hour before rain, the plant would "start to cry." In reality, this "intelligent" plant sensed moisture in the air and released excess liquid. You can check this phenomenon while strolling in the most famous nature park in the Sverdlovsk region, "Deer Streams."
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Kamchatka bilberry. Sakhalin region
Kamchatka bilberry (Latin: Vaccinium praestans) is an endemic plant of the Sakhalin region, a wild berry bush from the genus Vaccinium of the Heath family. Locally, this berry is called "klopovka" (lit. "tick's berry"). This unusual Sakhalin berry is distinguished by its large, bright red fruits. The skin is smooth to the touch and glossy. The juicy pulp is edible, but it is usually not consumed raw.
Klopovka shrubs grow near trees in mixed forests and bogs. The plant's shoots can lie on the ground, hidden among grasses and mosses.
The berry picking season is late summer to early autumn. By August, the fruits acquire their characteristic bright red color, and in September, they may darken to a burgundy hue. Berries harvested in August-September have a high concentration of beneficial substances.
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Kaluga rose. Kaluga region
Floriculture is one of the growth points for the Kaluga region. A quarter of all greenhouse flowers in the country are grown here. Special attention is paid to roses: there are more than 60 varieties of them in local farms. And recently the region has got its own special flower - a white rose, which received its name in honor of the regional capital.
The Kaluga rose is a peony-like variety from the Netherlands, which is grown by the breeders of the largest Kaluga flower production company. It all started three years ago with a single flower. Thanks to the experience and talent of local specialists, they managed to breed it. Now it is the top variety for the company and the whole 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.
