Gothenburg Botanical Garden, Gothenburg (must see)

The Gothenburg Botanical Garden stands out as one of Europe's larger botanical gardens. In 2003, it earned the title of Sweden's most charming park in a global poll organized by Briggs & Stratton, a prominent garden machinery manufacturer. This marked the first time such a competition took place in Sweden. Additionally, the Botanical Garden holds a noteworthy distinction with two stars in the Michelin Green Guide.

The garden's terrain offers diverse landscapes, featuring hilly areas that naturally separate different sections with contrasting vegetation. Notably, the expansive rock garden hosts an impressive collection of 5,000 species from various continents, gaining international recognition. Adjacent to this is the serene Japanese Glade, showcasing valuable plants collected in the 1950s by former curator Tor Nitzelius from their native habitats in East Asia.

Visitors to the garden can delight in over 500 species and cultivated varieties of Rhododendron, creating a stunning display of fragrance in early summer. Throughout the year, they can also explore the world's largest assortment of bulbs and tuberous plants, directly sourced from their wild origins. Other attractions include the Herb Garden, beds of perennials, and the Kitchen Garden featuring Swedish syringa arbours and crop rotation practices. Notably, the Gothenburg Botanical Garden has pioneered a new approach to growing annual plants known as the "summer blooming concept."

The outdoor area boasts an impressive array of 16,000 plant species, complemented by 4,000 species housed in greenhouses. Among these are Sweden's premier collection of 1,500 orchids and the rare Toromiro Tree from Easter Island, which has been preserved from extinction through the garden's efforts.

Beyond the greenhouses lies the striking Stora Änggården country house, surrounded by formal gardens. This historic building serves as a residence for staff members, alongside the charming Boatsman's Cottage, also known as the Blue House, dating back to 1794. Originally situated in Gothenburg's old harbor area, it was relocated near the Bamboo Thickets after being dismantled and rebuilt in 1917.

The summerhouse within the Herb Garden, dating back to the late eighteenth century, adds to the garden's historical charm. Originally part of city engineer Bengt Wilhelm Carlberg's estate, Kärralund, it was later moved to the botanical garden in 1959 after a stint in another garden near the Röhsska Museum and the current HDK (School of Design and Crafts).