DAY 1

A cut flower nursery, creative landing strips and a garden that used to be a potato field.

Råda säteri, Säteriallén 5, 435 32 Mölnlycke
Härryda Kyrkogård, Härryda kyrkogård, Prästgärdevägen 4, 438 92 Härryda
Sammels Lantgård, Bertshult 503, 438 93 Landvetter

We start our garden journey at Råda Säteri in Mölnlycke just outside Gothenburg. The first thing we see after we’ve parked is the manor house itself. It’s currently being renovated and it’s easy to picture it in its former glory. The gardens stretch out in front of and to the side of the house. We spot rows of beehives and the little beach at Hästviken looks tempting for a dip. There’s both a kitchen garden and an ornamental garden here. We walk around admiring the lovely borders created by well-known garden designers. In front of one of the buildings you can pick your own cut flowers, something we happily do. We also check out the craft shops, and find a slightly unusual example of wire craft that makes us reach for our wallets. We end our trip to Råda Säteri with a walk on the Labbera peninsula, along a lovely path where we find a nice spot to eat our picnic. The lake glitters in the sunshine and life is good. 

^{Magnificent rhododendrons at Råda Säteri}
After a fifteen minute drive, we arrive at Härryda Churchyard. In addition to the usual religious functions, biodiversity and creativity are the hallmarks of this destination. How about butterfly graves!? We think it’s a very innovative idea. There are also healing "runways" (named with a nod to Landvetter Airport which is nearby). Here, however, it’s not planes that land, but the people walking there. You can either go on a grounding walk alone or in the company of a priest or deacon, the choice is yours. Along the runway flowers bloom, the bees buzz and peace reigns. This is truly a place marked by new ways of thinking and respect for both people and the environment.

^{Butterfly graves in Härryda Churchyard.}
The last destination of the day is Sammels Farm. The road here from Härryda Churchyard is winding, probably a dream for motorcycle lovers.  The farm is in the middle of the countryside and it feels peaceful as soon as we get out of the car. The actual garden has grown from what was once a potato field and winter sheep pen. But the owners have not gone for a traditional look, instead they’ve used their own imagination and vision. The result is gorgeous. We wander around the flowering fruit trees, fantastic borders and scented plants, not to mention the orchard and greenhouse. The farm café has a tempting selection and we plump for the home made pie on today’s menu. Delicious. Before we leave Sammels we get some things at the farm shop. We buy rapeseed oil, honey and home grown veg direct from the farm. Satsfied, we drive to Hyssna where we’re going to spend the night at Hyssna Forest Resort. For other accommodation options, see vastsverige.com.

^{A place to rest at Sammels Farm}

DAY 2

Roses galore, a profusion of peonies and a blooming peach tree. It will be a day we won't soon forget.

Ramnaparken, Parkgatan 33, 504 39 Borås
Pionterassen i Annelundsparken, Annelunds parkväg, 503 36 Borås
Björnhyltans Trädgård, Hunnabo Björnhyltan, 514 93 Ambjörnarp

We start the day in picturesque Ramnaparken. The park brings to mind Skansen in Stockholm, although this is in a smaller format. However, the old buildings are at least as interesting and well-preserved as those in our capital. Adjacent to the park is Ramnasjön and there is a birdlife like no other. We choose to go up to the birdwatching tower and the view is just as beautiful as it was described to us. After birdwatching, we enjoy walking around the newly created arboretum. Trees are so fascinating. Roses are another favorite and the rose garden here is really worth seeing. Now Café Gästis beckons and we sit down outside and enjoy both coffee and the surroundings. We get a tip to go in and look at the ceiling paintings in the small church, which is supposed to be something special. And it's true! They are very detailed and in places, a little scary. We remember that Borås Museum is here, but we'll have to take that into account next time we come here, now more gardens await.

We get in the car and drive to Borås and the  the Peony Terrace in Annelunds Park. This is a large well organised park with lovely plantations of everything from azaleas to rhododendrons. The gravel paths meander around and we set off to find Annelunds Villa. Below the villa lies the famous peony terrace, where we can enjoy about 80 kinds of peonies, each more beautiful than the other. It’s a breathtaking sight. Luckily we chose to visit the week after midsummer, as we were told that this was the best time to see the peonies in their full glory. We finish with a walk in the orchard where a discussion arises about different pruning methods, the best secateurs and other things that we garden enthusiasts like to talk about.

^{Beautiful peonies on the Peony Terrace in Borås.}
The third and last visit of the day is to is Björnhyltans Garden. This wonderful place is surrounded by fields and meadows. Our visit begins inside the greenhouse and suddenly it feels as if we have been transported to the Mediterranean. Then we enjoy a wander around the kitchen garden, orchard, herb garden and flower garden. So much to see and experience! Chicken and sheep do their bit to complete the favourable impression of this lovely place. The garden is very fruitful and it’s no surprise that organic growing methods take centre stage in the work that goes on here. When it's time to eat our picnic food, we return to the greenhouse, where there’s a flowering peach tree. What a dream to sit under it! Before we leave Björnhyltan we check out the farm shop, where we buy some freshly harvested vegetables to take home and the perfect secateurs, which we’ve been meaning to get for ages.

DAY 3

Magnolias, concrete art and a pollinator's paradise

Nyhagens Trädgård, Lekvad 11, 511 96 Berghem
Röda stugans njuteri, Dalängsvägen 12, 511 68 Hyssna

The day starts in an El Dorado for us magnolia lovers.The place is Nyhagens Trädgård & Plantskola. This is a rural garden with a large kitchen garden, greenhouses, terraced growing beds and lots of both perennials and bulbs. We walk around the inspiring plantings where wild meadow plants and perennials are mixed to benefit pollinating insects and increase biodiversity. There are also habitats for many of the garden's wild friends to learn from and copy, in your own garden.

The meadows and pastures do their part to make us feel calm and comfortable. We choose to enjoy our packed lunch in the welcoming pergola where there is plenty of room to sit down. In the nursery's vast selection, we are most attracted by the special range of magnolias on offer. We want to take that home with us to our own garden. Unusual shrubs, trees and perennials are also sold here. The ceramics on sale don't go unnoticed either. Once at the checkout we pay for both the magnolia and a wonderful ceramic bowl, which, regardless of the season, will remind us of this lovely place and day. Now a 20-minute drive awaits us to the last destination of the trip.

We end our Garden trip at Röda Stugans Njuteri , where both our vital pollinators and anyone who likes concrete art thrive. The garden's perennials are chosen based on their ability to attract pollinators. We walk through the kitchen garden and we know that we’ll find bumblebees and bees here too as the smell of the herbs is intoxicating. The garden’s surroundings are also bee friendly. Dandelion and flower meadows, forest and arable land frame Röda Stugans Njuteri. Both useful and decorative concrete objects are made here. Naturally, we each buy a concrete bowl and decide we’d like to learn how to cast in concrete ourselves. We may well come back soon to do one of their courses. Before leaving the area we follow the owners’ advice to have a coffee at Lockö Mill, three minutes’ drive from Röda Stugan. 

^{The owners of the garden at Röda Stugans Njuteri}