Grete sent us these photos all the way from western Norway. Despite being extremely far north, Norway has a surprisingly mild climate, thanks to the warmth brought in by the Gulf Stream. That same weather pattern brings huge amounts of rain—an average of 90 inches per year. (For comparison, famously rainy Seattle only gets an average of 37 inches per year.)
As the photos Grete sent show, this is a climate suitable for gorgeous gardens!
Masses of peonies (Paeonia species and hybrids, Zones 3–8) in full bloom steal the show this time of the year.
Numerous low-growing shrubs make a dense tapestry of green that is beautiful and requires very little maintenance.
In this image, taken from from the same viewpoint as the previous photo but in fall, the evergreen shrubs mix with the brilliant color of Japanese maples (Acer palmatum, Zones 5–9) shifting into their fall color.
The beautiful, rugged Norwegian landscape makes an incredible backdrop for a camellia (Camellia sinensis, Zones 7–9) shrub loaded down with pink flowers. This plant witnesses to the incredibly moderate climate. Camellias are not very cold tolerant and are best known in the United States in places like South Carolina, yet they are thriving in this garden that is as far north as Alaska.
In this garden in spring, numerous dwarf rhododendrons come into bloom against a diverse backdrop of evergreen and deciduous shrubs.
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Comments
Who would have thought that such a lush and beautiful garden would be possible in Norway. I particularly enjoyed your collection of evergreen shrubs.
Love seeing gardens from other countries. What a treat.
Lovely gardens! Love the fall color!
Camellias! Wow! I would love to be able to grow them here in CT but it's too cold without enough snow to protect them. (We're near the water--inland gets more snow.)How much of the 90 inches of rain is in the form of snow? I had heard of places in western Scotland able to grow almost tropical plants because of the Gulf Stream, but Norway never occurred to me. It's lovely.
It seems so strange to see the Camellia with the mountain in the background. It's wonderful to see gardening from a totally different perspective. My spirits aren't as high as the mountain in the background this morning, but they are much higher than they started out. Thank you for your lovely pictures.
Wow, wow, wow.... your garden is so beautiful - I am now suffering from peony envy! And the view from your garden is spectacular. Thank you so much for sharing this stunning place.
Your garden has a beautiful combination of shrubs and perennials - and wow what an amazing Camellia- just loaded with flowers!
Your plantings of shrubs are just incredibly beautiful. Such a rich interweaving of colors - and such a lovely shift in the fall. Thank you so much for sharing your photos. It has been grey and drizzling all day here, so you have brightened up my day as well.
Love to see such fabulous gardens from different parts of the world. Always some wonderful surprises. Thanks for sharing with us.
Ha det Grete!
Hello from Finland!
Wonderful garden photos - so much to love. Admiring the view of the mountains and lake - I wish we had that!!
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