Private Garden near Falköping
Visited June 6th, 2014.
We left early in the morning from Vadstena traveling south along the eastern shore of Lake Vättern rounding the southern tip of the lake. We turned westward into the county of Västergötland and toward the town of Falköping. Carl Linnaeus had visited the county and town in June 1746 during a 10 week working excursion to inventory the natural resources in that area, in particular those resources that would be economically useful for Sweden.
Our trip was a visit to a private garden in the farmlands near the town of Falköping. A garden raised above the flat farm land with the importation of boulders, rocks and stones with a lake which was an impressive water feature for a private garden.
A gate and blooming honey suckle hanging from an arbor above, drew us in to a garden of rock and water, sun and woodland shade.
Repetition of circles in this garden created a natural entrance/exit from one garden area to the next.
As you follow a path, steps built into the mounded earth created a gradual incline that leads to a new garden display.
The Lady’s slipper orchids (cypridium calceolus) in yellow, white, lavenders and purples were tucked among rocks and boulders.
Primula and Iris grow by a small stream with a sturdy low curved bridge.
Garden ornaments are kept simple; attractive ceramic pots placed strategically within the garden rooms.
Benches are placed in the garden for a gardeners rest or for a visitor to retreat in quiet contemplation.
Birdhouses are mounted on tree stumps or hanging from the trees.
With stealth the gardeners companion keeps a steely eye on the resident birds activities.
Dainty sun worshipers spill over boulders.
Visual interest is found with a variety of texture and form in the selection and placement of plants in the rock garden.
A circular pathway leads to a small lake.
An informal garden border of “wet feet” tolerant plants blend into the edge of the water.
Lupine and flag iris thrive on the bank of the lake.
A small summerhouse surrounded by its own garden, all centered within the small lake is an outstanding theatrical showpiece of the garden.
In June the golden raintree (Koelreuteria paniculata) near the water, is a golden contrast to the conifers in the garden.
The circular pathway around the lake had led back to the house where we finished our garden visit with coffee, tea, and cakes, sitting outside in the garden that surrounds the house.
Our host and hostess have lived on the farm land for thirty years. Our hostess works in the garden daily that they started twenty years ago after their children were grown. They brought in the rocks, stones and boulders to reshape the landscape into a garden for their personal enjoyment. The LHS members thanked her for sharing her passion with us.
TRAVEL REFLECTIONS
It was well past the lunch hour when we left the garden and started our return trip to the eastern shore of Lake Vättern. We stopped at the south eastern tip of the Lake for lunch at Brunstorp Gård (or Brunstorp Farm), near the town of Husqvarna, known world wide for its production of out door power products including horticulture equipment as well as motor bikes. At the Brunstorp Farm restaurant, for one who enjoys seafood, the landgång (or gangplank ) open sandwich of shrimp with the unusual combination of ham was surprisingly delicious for me.
Brunstorp Gård is in a scenic location. Below us on the opposite side of the highway, the pristine waters of Lake Vättern stretched northward.
Behind us was a contrast in landscape with a small picnic area before the hillside ascent into boulders and forest.
What I did learn from George was that Brunstorp Gård had for several centuries, been an orchard for fruit trees suitable for that area. After a decline of the orchard in the 1950's due to imported fruit for less cost, the site was bought by the municipality of Jönköping and became a public park. After it was incorporated into a nature reserve in 1972, the orchard's value was recognized. It became one of Sweden’s fourteen 'gene banks' for fruit trees.
George states that the existing stock at Brunstorp Gård has been supplemented by donations from other orchards, primarily from the counties of Östergötland,Västra Götland and Småland. It currently holds 140 varieties of apples, 40 varieties of pears and 20 of cherries and plums, being one of the larger 'gene banks'.
And of course, an association with Carl Linnaeus follows us again. George pointed out that Jönköping is the birthplace of Linnaeus's student and disciple Carl (Karl) Peter Thunberg. Thunberg became known as “Japan's Linnaeus” and the “Father of South African botany,” due to his travels from 1770-1779. He was appointed the “Chair of Botany,” (Linnaeus's post) at Uppsala University in 1784 and established the botanical garden there. He is also considered one of the great botanist of his day.
Photos by Deborah McMillin.