Text & image: Christina Högardh-Ihr
In recent years, we’ve seen a huge increase in the popularity of gardens and gardening. Interest in the outdoors in Sweden and elsewhere in Europe has resulted in loads of visits to parks, gardens, garden centres and farm shops. Garden tourism has become its own niche area. If you’re interested in gardening and plants, garden design and castle culture, organically grown food, cut flowers and gardening trends, Skåne and Halland offer a veritable smorgasbord for anyone with an appetite for gardens. There is something for everyone and a remarkable number of destinations can be found in the proximity of the Kattegattleden.
Garden traditions in this part of Sweden date all the way back to the Renaissance, when Danish nobility built castles and fortresses, primarily in Skåne. They were inspired by garden design down on the continent and had formal gardens built with hedges and trees, magnificent flower beds, rose gardens and walled kitchen gardens. Plants were also imported from the south and people began to use yew, boxwood, quince, walnut, chestnut, lilacs, fragrant shrub roses and bulbs of all kinds. Gardens at large estates like Skarhult, Wrams Gunnarstorp, Krapperup Castle and Skottorp Castle gradually became trendsetters for smaller properties as well.
In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, garden design continued to develop in Scandinavia, following models in Europe, and exquisite examples of this can be seen today at Fredriksdal in Helsingborg, Trädgårdsföreningen in Gothenburg and Gunnebo House in Mölndal. In the late-nineteenth and twentieth century, a particular Scandinavian style began to emerge. Leading landscape architects in Denmark created airy landscape parks, usually starting from the conditions of the location and using plants adapted to the Nordic climate.
The internationally renowned landscape architect Carl Theodor Sörensen designed parks for urban environments, residential areas with multi-family homes, palace gardens, and the world’s first outdoor playground, which continues to serve as inspiration around the world. There are also examples of gardens inspired by English garden design, such as Sofiero in Helsingborg, where Crown Princess Margareta, Queen Victoria’s granddaughter who grew up at Bagshot Park in England, created an English park designed for Swedish conditions. Today, Sofiero is one of the leading sources of inspiration for garden lovers in Scandinavia.
Sweden’s world-renowned botanist, Carl Linnaeus, visited Lund and Wrams Gunnarstorp castle on his trip through Skåne in 1749. He enthusiastically describes fruit trees and other plants in the mild climate of Skåne, which was rich with fruits that were unfamiliar to a visitor from the north. Today, the climate of Skåne and Halland is still mild and through refined growing methods and adapted varieties, growers and visitors alike can take joy in beautiful, unusual plants and trees, or for that matter, sensational flavours. Grapes, apricots, peaches, real chestnuts, walnuts, mulberries, a large selection of apples and pears, and loads of fragrant antique roses await cyclists along the path. Much of the beautiful landscape of Skåne’s Bjäre peninsula consists of small-scale farm production. In one of the many farm shops found here, you can buy just about any fruit or vegetable, as well as eggs, milk, cheese, butter, lamb, beef and pork that are locally grown and organically produced.
While cycling the Kattegattleden, you will ride through many different types of natural scenery. That includes open pastures with grazing animals. Being in the proximity of animals is valuable in and of itself, but it is also nice to keep in mind that grazing animals are an important part of keeping the landscape open and preserving biodiversity. Many valuable plants, birds, small animals, insects, butterflies and bees contribute to fighting climate change by preserving the Earth’s organisms, their genetic capital and the ecosystems they build up. Old, pruned alleys of trees, stone walls, hayfields that are cut back in rounds, wetlands such as bogs and swamps, seaside coastal meadows, forests and rocky beaches contribute to a green infrastructure with habitats for an abundance of small animals that live in interaction with one another. As a cyclist, you will get to see this wonderful diversity up close.
Welcome to the exciting green world along the Kattegattleden. As a cyclist on the Kattegattleden, today you can consider yourself the eco-friendliest tourist of all, especially if you ride from Helsingborg to Gothenburg to visit gardens and other green destinations.
Tips from kattegattleden.se:
You will find all the tips by searching for "gardens" in the search function on our website!
Fredriksdals Museum & Trädgårdar
In the heart of downtown Helsingborg is Fredriksdals Museum & Trädgårdar, a museum and garden. Experience traditional rural life of Skåne with its fields, pastures, cows, horses and pigs, as well as fruit and kitchen gardens. Large portions of Fredriksdal’s farmland and animals are KRAV-certified. There are also adorable little rabbits and kittens, a nice playground for the kids, historic town settings with fun shops and a delightful garden café. Fredriksdal is also known for its rose garden, located just inside the main entrance, which is overflowing with a large collection of roses, including antique shrub roses, wild roses and modern roses. The Flora Linnea plant nursery has the largest selection of roses for purchase in the Nordic region.
Bicycle rack: Yes
Top up with water: Yes
Entrance fee: April-Sep, yes
Pre-book visits: No.
Child & Dog Friendly: Yes
Sofiero Castle & Castle Garden
Sofiero Slottsträdgård, the palace garden, is one of Sweden’s best-known parks and was also named the most beautiful park in Europe in 2010. People take annual pilgrimages here, arriving in time to enjoy the bursting rhododendron blossoms in May, and they often come from far away. Sofiero is also the first garden stop along the Kattegattleden. You can cycle here in about 20 minutes from Helsingborg C and the entire route is along the glittering Öresund. In addition to the wonderful flowers in the park, you can also enjoy a note of royal magnificence from the past with a visit to the park of Crown Princess Margareta and Crown Prince Gustav, later known as Gustav VI Adolf. It has plenty of space to play, exciting hiding places for the kids to discover, a café and restaurant, as well as a gift and flower shop. In addition, with a little luck, you may get to finish off your visit with one of the popular summer concerts held at Sofiero, or the big festive conclusion to summertime Swedish gardens: Trädgårdsveckorna (Garden Weeks) at Sofiero.
Bicycle rack: Yes
Top up with water: Yes
Entrance fee: Yes
Pre-book visits: No.
Child & Dog Friendly: Yes
Paul Jönska Gården in Viken
Kattegattleden passes through the village of Viken, north of Helsingborg. Pause and enjoy the atmosphere of a historic fishing village of Skåne, with little white houses, a marina, a windmill and a church in the village centre. Near the church is Skeppargården, and the gates to this delightful traditional garden are always open! This is the perfect place to slip into a green oasis and enjoy the scent of roses, beautiful old fruit trees, a kitchen garden and the buzz of bumblebees. The garden is tended by a non-profit organisation that is also responsible for the beautiful house, a nineteenth-century sea captain’s home that is now a museum, open for booked visits.
Bicycle rack: available at the church
Top up with water: Yes
Entrance fee: No.
Pre-book visits: To the garden, no, to the house yes
Child & Dog Friendly: Yes
Krapperup Castle & Castle Park
Just north of Nyhamnsläge, right before the bike path turns off towards Brunnby, you will find one of the oldest castle parks in Skåne. Krapperup Castle, which is in fact a fortress, dates back to the early Renaissance. Some areas of the park and some of the trees are very old as well. Beech, walnut and yew trees along with a number of exotic trees with big, majestic canopies give the park a sense of peacefulness and magnificent light. You will also find an array of flowerbeds, a cosy castle café with delicious sandwiches and biscuits, and a small art gallery.
Bicycle rack: Yes
Top up with water: Yes
Entrance fee: No.
Pre-book visits: To the garden, no, to the castle yes
Child & Dog Friendly: Yes
Kullabergs Vingård
Just south of Krapperup is the sign for Kullabergs Vingård. This vineyard is located on a hilltop with an incredible view of the surrounding area. 14 hectares of grapevines spread out in different directions, and the vineyard grows several different varieties of grape. The vines thrive here, close to the sea and with long, light evenings. The vineyard works hard to put the wines of Skåne on the map. They grow white and red grapes, and meticulously use sustainable agriculture methods. In addition to wine, the vineyard also makes dry apple cider from local apples. You can book a wine tasting and a tour of the vineyard.
Bicycle rack: No.
Top up with water: Yes
Entrance fee: Yes
Pre-book visits: Yes
Child & dog friendly: Yes
Sylvia Wihlborgs Trädgård & Möllehässle B & B
Right between Mölle and Arild, on Fornåkersvägen road, you will find Sylvia’s cosy bed and breakfast in a half-timbered farmhouse at the base of Kullaberg. You will take a bit of a detour from the path to get here. And it is well worth it, because the view is spectacular and a surprisingly large and abundant garden emerges beyond the walls of the garden. Sylvia and her husband have grown apples and pears professionally for many years. In their private paradise, Sylvia has taken inspiration from English gardens, splitting her own garden into different rooms using hedges and shrubs. The beds are filled with more than 100 different kinds of roses, and there are also loads of flowers, bushes and trees. You will also find a greenhouse and a large pond. Guests of the B&B have free access to the garden. If you are passing by, knock on the door; Sylvia is almost always home!
Bicycle rack: Yes
Top up with water: Yes
Entrance fee: Yes
Pre-book visits: Yes, just in case
Child & Dog Friendly: Yes
Arilds Vingård
Near the road to Arild is Arilds Vingård, Sweden’s biggest vineyard. Many years ago, the Ivarson family followed their dreams and bought one of the oldest farms in the village. An old grapevine growing on the farm inspired the idea to start growing and producing Swedish wine themselves. Today visitors can enjoy the beautiful vineyard, where they grow about 120,000 vines, taste wine in the family’s restaurant, enjoy a delicious bite to eat, and stay in the hotel. It is a charming, family-friendly and wonderful place to spend the night. You can also stay in one of 12 glamping tents in the middle of the vineyard.
Bicycle rack: Yes
Top up with water: Yes
Entrance fee: No.
Pre-book visits: To the farm, No, to hotel & restaurant, yes
Child & Dog Friendly: Yes
Hedentorps Plantskola
From the Kullahalvön peninsula, cycle the Kattegattleden along the coastline at Skälderviken, pass Jonstorp, and gradually you will arrive at the edge of Ängelholm. There, you can shop for plants of outstanding quality on a stop at the Hedentorps Plantskola plant nursery. The selection includes a wide variety of trees and bushes, among other things. You can buy beautiful Japanese maples with lovely pointed leaves, unusual Moutan peonies, raspberry plants, and a variety of roses and perennials. Whether your garden is for aesthetics or food, there is something here for everyone. You will also find a nice shop and a café with tasty lunches and sandwiches, and delicious floral cakes, often including gluten and lactose-free options!
Bicycle rack: Yes
Top up with water: Yes
Entrance fee: No.
Pre-book visits: No, look at the website for opening hours
Child & Dog Friendly: Yes
Ebbesson's Farm Dairy
On the Bjäre peninsula, north of Ängelholm, the Kattegattleden alternates between a seaside landscape and gently undulating farmland. This is a paradise if you like to shop directly from the farm. The Ebbesson family is one of many small-scale producers whose products are sold at their farm shop, as well as to stores and restaurants in the surrounding area. The Ebbessons make delicious hard cheeses, white and blue cheeses, creamy yoghurt and tasty pasteurized milk from the farm’s dairy cows, of which there are about 65. In the farm shop, you will also find locally grown fruit and berries, eggs, vegetables, and if you visit in early summer, the farm’s own new potatoes, which are often the first harvest in Sweden.
Bicycle rack: No.
Top up with water: Yes
Entrance fee: No.
Pre-book visits: No.
Child & Dog Friendly: Yes
Bäckdalens Handelsträdgård
From Torekov, the path travels up along narrow little roads, and the view is magnificent, both towards the sea and over the landscape. If you take a detour down towards Hov and gradually to Hallavara, you will be rewarded with delicious coffee and a treat at Bäckdalens Orangeri & Handelsträdgård. Margareta and Anders have been growing organic herbs and tomatoes here for many years. Their basil is heavenly, and much discussed! They have also built a combined café and greenhouse where they serve delicious and healthy sandwiches, as well as yummy cakes and biscuits. On Saturday mornings, they open the bread window and sell freshly baked sourdough. They also have special pizza nights with delicious stone-oven-baked pizzas. In the shop, you can buy tomatoes, spices, herbs and bread. Keep an eye on their website or Facebook for opening hours and special events.
Bicycle rack: Yes
Top up with water: Yes
Entrance fee: No.
Pre-book visits: Yes
Child & Dog Friendly: Yes
Norrvikens Trädgård
In the early twentieth century, a landscape architect from Sörmland bought Lilla Båstad farm near Kattvik, outside of Båstad. The architect’s name was Rudolf Abelin; he was raised amidst a manor house garden and he studied garden design in Copenhagen and Germany. Rudolf had a vision, and on the Bjäre peninsula he built a garden of a variety that had rarely before been seen. On the large plot of land, he built a Baroque garden, a German garden, a Renaissance garden with a water feature, a water garden and a Japanese valley. A large area with fruit trees and hazelnuts provided food. Today, Norrviken is open to the general public and remains much as it was in Rudolf Abelin’s time, with the addition of exciting and beautiful elements. Inside Abelin’s house is a wonderful restaurant, a café and a chocolateria, and the park always has an exciting project underway or an exhibition to discover. Don’t miss the beautiful greenhouses, apiaries, or lovely playgrounds for the kids.
Bicycle rack: Yes
Top up with water: Yes
Entrance fee: Yes
Pre-book visits: No.
Child & Dog Friendly: Yes
Camilla Carén Palms Trädgård i Laholm
After Båstad, the path continues along the coast and Sweden’s longest sandy beach in Mellbystrand. From here, you can take a detour from the bike path to Laholm, a stretch that takes about 20 minutes, to visit a private garden. The gardener is Camilla, a true gardening celebrity in Laholm. She has helped many people with gardening care and pruning, and she also offers help to design new gardens. Camilla’s garden has plenty of inspiration, with a variety of seating areas depending on the location of the sun, and with different themes. There is a small greenhouse in which to sit and relax, read a book, or listen to music, or in which to grow tomatoes and chili peppers. Shrub roses and meandering climbing roses form rooms or hedges towards the street. Camilla says the garden is spectacular in summertime, when it blossoms wildly with roses and other flowers. But she also loves the peacefulness and colours of autumn, when the garden enters a new phase.
Bicycle rack: Yes
Top up with water: Yes
Entrance fee: Yes
Pre-book visits: Yes
Child & Dog Friendly: No.
https://www.facebook.com/millastradgard
Stadsparken i Laholm
Laholm’s Stadsparken, or city park, was built a few years ago on the old embankment of the Västkustbanan railway in Laholm. The late Peter Gauntitz, landscape designer and artist, was tasked with integrating the small older park with the new park. He designed formal areas with lots of trees, bushes and perennials that bloom in waves from spring to autumn, as well as wilder, more natural areas with seed plants in meadow-like formations that change with the seasons. For example, you can enjoy the ‘savanna’ here with plants found on the prairies of the eastern US. Laholm’s Stadspark is located about five minutes by bicycle from Camilla’s garden, in the heart of downtown Laholm.
Bicycle rack: No.
Top up with water: No.
Entrance fee: No.
Pre-book visits: No.
Child & Dog Friendly: Yes
Ugglarps Grönt
North of Halmstad, the scenery changes character. The sea and coastal meadows open up; the landscape becomes more austere and birders will be delighted by the bird reserve north of Steninge. You will also find Ugglarps Gård here, a well-known food producer in Sweden’s culinary circles. With a passion for and dedication to culinary experiences, Mikael Jidenholm and his family grow a wide variety of vegetables on their farmland and coastal meadows. They only use organic fertilizer and strictly ecological farming practices. Strawberries, beetroot, a variety of cabbages, parsley, dill and other herbs all grow at their own pace, slowly, which allows them to develop richer flavours than crops that are hurried in large-scale operations. The shelves of Ugglarp’s farm shop are well-stocked and it may be wise to order in advance if you are hoping to pick up a particular product. Food walks are held one morning per week. With Mikael as your guide, you will explore the fields, sample some of the produce, and learn how to use both familiar vegetables and wild plants.
Bicycle rack: No.
Top up with water: Yes
Entrance fee: To the farm shop, no, to Matvandringen, yes
Pre-book visits: Yes and no,
Child & Dog Friendly: Yes
Laurentiiparkens Rosarium, Falkenberg
Kattegattleden passes through the central parts of Falkenberg. In the part of town known as Gamla Stan, Old Town, you will find the beautiful Church of St. Laurentii, which dates back to the fourteenth century. Laurentii Park is located next to the church and has a rose garden with more than 80 different varieties of roses. If you arrive in June or July, almost all of them will be in bloom at once. It is an absolute explosion of colour and fragrance and there are both large rose bushes and arches adorned with climbing roses. Enjoy a nice, long stroll here and be amazed at the many different colours, appearances and even fragrances of all the roses. The rose garden is tended by Falkenberg’s park services, which are here essentially daily during peak season to trim, prune and water the plants. Feel free to ask them about the different roses; you will find plenty of inspiration and information here, not to mention numerous benches on which to take a seat and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. The Ätran river is just a stone’s throw away, as is the Tullbron bridge, which is considered Sweden’s most beautiful stone bridge.
Bicycle rack : Yes
Top up with water: No.
Entrance fee: No.
Pre-book visits: No.
Child & Dog Friendly: Yes
https://www.falkenberg.se/upptack/sevardheter/park--tradgard/laurentiiparken-med-gasatorget.html
Runevads Trädgård i Askhult
From Falkenberg, the path follows the shoreline up to Stranninge, where it turns off towards Morup and the little village of Askhult. Here, you will find Runevad’s garden. Gardener Camilla Runevad has lived here with her family for over twenty years. They renovated an old nineteenth-century house and built an addition. They also created a garden that became a park on the nearly 9,000 m² plot of land. New projects are underway here as well, with the construction of a large greenhouse and an expanded area where visitors can pick flowers. You can also look inside of Camilla’s shop, where she sells gardening accessories. And above all, stroll around the many different areas of the garden and enjoy all the beautiful combinations of trees and plants. See what you can do with a seaside plot of land, how to use barriers of trees and hedges to create shelter from the wind, and what plants thrive in this environment. Camilla has open garden days that are advertised on the website, and she welcomes groups for guided tours.
Bicycle rack: Yes
Top up with water: Yes
Entrance fee: Yes, coffee included
Pre-book visits: Yes
Child & Dog Friendly: Yes
Träslövs Trädgård
Just before Varberg, you will reach the little fishing village of Träslövsläge. There is a popular ice cream café here that you won’t want to miss. Afterwards, ride your bike a few kilometres east to Träslövs Trädgård. At this garden centre, Lars-Johan Svanberg and his staff have created an incredibly well-stocked and beautiful garden shop for all fans of gardens and interior design. The shop has furniture, flower pots, vases and home accessories. In the plant nursery, you will find little sample gardens for inspiration, such as a water garden, Japanese garden and several delightful seating areas. In the plant area, the plants are divided by the conditions they require, such as sun or shade, and by colour. You will find plants for all kinds of gardens and climates here. Lars-Johan also offers excellent tips and advice if you need more information. Open every day of the week during the season, but check the website just in case.
Bicycle rack: No.
Top up with water: Yes
Entrance fee: No.
Pre-book visits: No.
Child & Dog Friendly: Yes
Tjolöholms Slott & Slottsträdgård
After Varberg, the path continues up towards Åsa and Ölmevalla. From there, take a little detour towards Tjolöholm, which is magnificently situated by Kungsbackafjorden. Tjolöholm Castle is one of Sweden’s youngest castles; it was built by the Swedish-British Dickson family. The castle was completed in 1904. The couple delighted in the English Arts & Crafts style, and tasked architect Lars Israel Wahlman with designing the castle’s interior and exterior. The outside of the castle is Elizabethan, but the inside is infused with exquisite craftsmanship in wood, with undulating lines and floral and plant designs. The Dickson family lived at Tjolöholm until 1952, after which the garden in particular went without care for many years. More recently, efforts have been made to re-create the Arts & Crafts garden that Wahlman also designed. John Taylor, from Malmö, has been involved with creating new flowerbeds, such as the fjord flowerbed in front of the building. When you visit Tjolöholm, you can also swim at the beach, enjoy a walk through beautiful natural scenery around the castle park, and eat well at the café and restaurant. The park is open year-round, and the castle is open for booked tours and exciting exhibitions; see the website.
Bicycle rack: No.
Top up with water: Yes
Entrance fee: Garden, no, the castle, yes
Pre-book visits: No.
Child & Dog Friendly: Yes
Allmogebyn, Tjolöholm
Nearby Tjolöholm is a small collection of seven red houses, a large cottage and a church, known as the Workers’ Village. The buildings are reminiscent of the style of Dalarna, almost like Carl Larsson’s Sundborn, but situated here in Halland. Blanche Dickson, who commissioned the castle, had the Workers’ Village built as residences for the castle’s staff. The village housed the groundskeeper, stablekeeper, gardener, driver, hunter, carpenter, milkmaids and washers. Lars Israel Wahlman designed the buildings and all of their exterior details, as well as the colours used inside the cottages. The buildings are now beautifully restored and one of them is a museum. The adjoining garden outside is also used, and visitors are welcome to explore the old-fashioned kitchen garden, where vegetables and flowers are grown with cover crops and crop rotation is practiced. It is also possible to rent cottages for an overnight stay at Tjolöholm and in the Workers’ Village.
Bicycle rack: No.
Top up with water: Yes
Entrance fee: No.
Pre-book visits: No.
Kids & Dog Friendly: Kids, yes
Håkan Gidestrands Trädgård i Malevik
Malevik is a little summer paradise situated just south of Kullavik, near Särö, south of Gothenburg. There are many beautiful houses and gardens here. In one of these gardens, Håkan Gidestrand has a large collection of roses. Håkan is considered an inspiring rose gardener and he has been growing roses for over 20 years. Fragrant perennial roses are planted in round beds and flowerbeds, up the walls, on trellises – everywhere. The flowers bloom in abundance in June and July, and in late August and September. Håkan welcomes pre-booked group visits and provides a guided tour in which he talks about his roses and offers advice on growing roses.
Bicycle rack: No.
Top up with water: Yes
Entrance fee: Yes
Pre-book visits: Yes
Child & Dog Friendly: No.
Trädgårdsföreningen
In the heart of downtown Gothenburg, amidst hustle and bustle and the sounds of traffic, you will find a green oasis that shuts out the external world almost entirely: Trädgårdsföreningen. This well-preserved nineteenth-century park has undulating flowerbeds, the elegant glass and cast iron Palm House from 1878, and a rose garden with 2,500 roses of 1,200 different species. Trädgårdsföreningen has a star in the Michelin Green Guide and is open year-round; entry is free. Come visit in winter and walk through the tropical area of the Palm House, where you can enjoy the warmth and chocolate plants. Or admire the camellias and tea plants in the Camellia House. (Tea is called Camellia sinensis in Latin and is related to Camellia japonica, which blossoms in numerous variations in white, pink and red.) During high summer in July, a rose festival is held with numerous exhibitions and events that pay tribute to roses. Trädgårdsföreningen is a large, accessible and wonderfully green destination in the heart of downtown Gothenburg.
Gardens in Gothenburg that are not directly adjacent to or in the proximity of Kattegattleden
Gunnebo Slott & Trädgård
As you begin getting closer to Gothenburg, the path runs via Askim and Långedrag. You can take a little detour from the bicycle path to the area of Kikås/Gunnebo. There on the hill beside Stensjön Lake is charming Gunnebo House, a countryside gem originally belonging to the very wealthy merchant John Hall, from Gothenburg. Hall tasked the city architect of Gothenburg with designing a countryside house in keeping with the latest fashions from the continent. The architect was inspired by French neoclassical style and English Palladianism. It took more than a decade to build the castle and garden, which were completed in 1796. Today, Gunnebo is owned by the city of Mölndal. Since 1995, restorations have been underway, using old handicraft methods to restore the buildings and gardens to look just as they did in the 1700s, based on architect Carl Wilhelm Carlberg’s well-preserved designs. Today at Gunnebo, you can enjoy carefully tended plants that meet Baroque ideals, orangeries, kitchen gardens and a beautiful treillage, which is an outdoor hall with a high ceiling and latticework for lindens. Gunnebo Kaffehus and Krog serves food and coffee; there is a lovely museum gift shop and a wonderful playground for children. Events of all kinds are often underway here and the entire site is open year-round!
Bicycle rack: Yes
Top up with water: Yes
Entrance fee: To the park, no, to guided tour of the castle, yes
Pre-book visits: No.
Child & Dog Friendly: Yes
Botaniska Trädgården
The Gothenburg Botanical Garden is one of the biggest botanical gardens in Europe, with over 16,000 different species in its collections. It is located near Slottskogen park and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, and can be reached by tram or bus. In spring, come marvel at the blossoming trees and abundance of crocuses, tulips, irises and fritillaries. The perennial beds, with cultivated plants, are well-filled in summer, and in late summer and autumn you will find plenty of lessons and inspiration in the kitchen gardens and greenhouse. The Gothenburg Botanical Garden is a research site for the University of Gothenburg. Biodiversity is in focus here, and many projects are underway to promote organic growing, to preserve bees and more. There is also a well-stocked shop with plants, seeds and gifts for your garden, as well as Floras Rike, Gothenburg’s biggest bookstore for books on nature and gardens. The garden is open year-round and the entrance fee of SEK 20 is voluntary, but do read about fees and payment on the website.
Lisebergs Trädgårdar
The Liseberg amusement park is not only home to roller coasters. It also has Lisebergs Trädgårdar: gardens constituting 6,250 square metres of beautiful plants and waterfalls. The history of the gardens at Liseberg dates all the way back to the seventeenth century, when there was a large tobacco plantation here. Liseberg’s gardens are popular for enjoying a picnic in a calm oasis amidst the crowds of people. Liseberg’s Garden Days is also held here, a trade fair where you can learn all about making a gorgeous garden or beautiful balcony at home.
Jonsereds Trädgårdar
Jonsereds Trädgårdar gardens are located just outside of Gothenburg, in Partille Municipality. There is a historic legacy here dating back to the nineteenth century and the gardens are at the cutting edge of organic cultivation. In these gardens, Partille Municipality is running a labour market project in which a number of participants have the chance to enter the labour market through work in the garden. In 2015, Jonsereds Trädgårdar gardens won the Elmia Park Inspira award for Sweden’s most inspiring park in the category of new parks. The park is open year-round and there is always something going on, such as new plants, music events, apple days or a Christmas market. Visit the Facebook page for updates.
Sources
Carl von Linne, Skånska resan, 1749
Karin Berglund, I think of Linnaeus: He who saw everything, Albert Bonnier's publisher 2007
Karin Persson, County Administrative Board, Article, Biological diversity in the Rural Development Program
Katarina & Sven Dunér, Den Gyllene Trädgården: Trädgårdskonstens ide- och kulturhistoria från Adam till Örtagård, Prisma, 2004
Crown Princess Margareta, Our Garden at Sofiero, Norstetds & Sons, 1920
Penelope Hobhouse, History of Garden Art, Nature & Culture / Facts, 2004
Own research and interviews