Flowers bloom in the summer and exotic plants thrive through the winter at this garden complex set up by avid 19th-century horticulturists.
Enjoy the peaceful surrounds of the Garden Society of Gothenburg (Trädgårdsföreningen), one of Europe’s best-kept gardens from the 1800s. Much of the flora here was imported into Sweden by travelling horticulturists in the 19th century. Step into a greenhouse where tropical plants such as bromeliads thrive or wander through landscaped plots like the traditional European Rose Garden.
When it was established in 1842, the grounds of the Garden Society were a meeting place for dedicated horticulturists where they exchanged thoughts, species and findings from across the world. Today cafés and podiums still dot the landscape in a nod to the garden’s social origins.
Admire the nearly 2,000 species that thrive in the splendid Rose Garden. Come in July to see the blooms at their best. You can also catch a second blooming period during August, and some varieties are still flowering in November.
Pass through the Palmhouse to see plants from five continents. Notice the dome of this greenhouse, which was modelled after London’s Crystal Palace when it was built in 1878. Visit the Camellia House in spring and autumn to find the plants in full bloom. In the summer months you’ll find the Water Garden’s giant lily at its most extravagant. Cut through the Tropical Area to see palm trees, agaves and succulents thriving year-round, even when Gothenburg is covered in snow.
Cafés and restaurants are spread across the park and are open year-round. In the summer months, catch a concert or festival on the lawns. Check the Garden Society’s website for a full calendar of events.
The Garden Society of Gothenburg is open every day until dusk. It is within easy walking distance of most central hotels and attractions. Admission is free.
