A trip to seven capitals around the Baltic Sea, visiting their Botanical Gardens and Parks, is a tall order.

Uppsala University Botanical Gardens, in Stockholm, has origins in 1655, and was where Linnaeus laid the foundations of an entirely new classification of plants. In Helsinki there are huge collections of plants at the University and Gardenia Arboretum.  Both have tropical greenhouses, with palms and huge water lilies. Other highlights are ponds, flower beds, and a copy of a Japanese 8th Century stone garden.

St Petersburg has magnificent restored Palaces and parklands, and the Peterhof Water Gardens are mind boggling, with 173 fountains, and golden statues everywhere. Some very beautiful and interesting gardens are in Tallin.  Again, there are huge greenhouses, flower beds, rose gardens, and much environmental education.

A trip to Berlin brings us to the oldest, and largest Botanical Garden, containing a huge Palm House, plus rockeries, roses and a lot more. Mention must be made of the Tiergarten Park and Palace, set in a 630 acre Deer Park.  The gardens and trees were destroyed during the war, but are now restored.

On to Copenhagen, and a visit to the impressive Botanical Garden, with a huge greenhouse and wonderful gardens.  The University has trial gardens full of a range of plants, providing a colourful display.

Finally, to Oslo, where the University gardens have extensive rockeries and flower beds. Entering the 80 acre Vigeland Sculpture Park, there is the amazing sight of 214 sculptures, with 758 figures, surrounded by flower beds.  The single monolith, 46′ high, carved with 121 figures of human beings struggling through life, is an education.

A very worthwhile journey, seeing the beauties of Baltic horticulture is most rewarding.

Frank Robinson

Many thanks from LHS.