Valdres, Norway – June/July 2027

During June and July 2027, we are inviting a small number of alpine plant enthusiasts aged 18 or over to join us for a series of hands-on alpine garden workshops in the mountains of Valdres, Norway.

The workshops are connected to the development of our new 2,900 m² private alpine garden, a non-commercial project created entirely from our personal interest in alpine plants, rock gardening and mountain flora.

Participants are welcome to join us for between one and four weeks.

This is a voluntary and unpaid opportunity to learn, exchange experience and take part in the practical development of a specialised alpine garden. There is no participation fee. Accommodation and meals are provided free of charge during the stay.

The project is private and non-commercial and is not part of a commercial nursery or horticultural business. Its development will be documented and shared through Plants Above Treeline.

What will we be doing?

The workshops will combine practical participation with discussion and exchange of knowledge about alpine plants, their natural habitats and their cultivation.

Depending on the stage of the project during your stay, activities may include:

• creating naturalistic streams and small water features

• constructing scree beds using different mineral substrates

• developing our specialised approach to crevice cultivation

• creating wet and bog-garden habitats using peat-block constructions

• preparing growing substrates for plants with different ecological requirements

• establishing propagation areas and cold frames

• propagation, planting and cultivation of alpine plants

Our main focus throughout the project is on creating the right growing conditions for the plants, rather than simply creating decorative rock formations. Drainage, moisture, substrate, root environment and microclimate will therefore be central to much of what we do.

Hands-on and physically demanding

This is very much a hands-on outdoor experience.

Some activities will involve digging, moving soil and gravel, handling rocks and peat blocks, and spending extended periods outdoors in changing mountain weather.

For this reason, participants need to be physically capable of taking part in this type of practical activity and comfortable with an active outdoor stay.

Previous professional experience in horticulture or garden construction is not required. A genuine interest in alpine plants, rock gardening, botany or horticulture, together with curiosity, practical ability and a willingness to learn and contribute, is much more important.

Living with us in the mountains

Participants will stay with us in our cabin in the mountains during their visit.

Accommodation and meals are provided free of charge, and depending on individual travel arrangements, we may also be able to assist to some extent with local or onward transportation within Norway.

The minimum stay is one week, with the possibility of staying for up to four weeks.

An important part of the experience is also the opportunity to spend time with others who share an interest in alpine plants, exchange ideas and knowledge, and enjoy the surrounding mountain environment.

The Norwegian mountains on your doorstep

There will be plenty of time outside the workshop activities to explore the surrounding area.

Depending on your interests, possibilities include:

• mountain hiking

• mountain biking

• field botany and exploring the local flora

• trout fishing

• wild camping and overnight trips in the mountains

The emphasis is on combining hands-on alpine gardening, learning and exchange of experience with life in the Norwegian mountains.

Interested in joining us?

If you are interested in joining us for one to four weeks during June or July 2027, please contact:

botanic@online.no

Please tell us a little about yourself, including where you are from, your interests and experience with plants or gardening, when you might like to visit, how long you would like to stay, and why the project interests you.

Further information about dates, travel, accommodation and the practical programme will be provided to those interested in taking part.

 

Geir Moen
Alpine Garden Project, Valdres, Norway
Documented through Plants Above Treeline