Conditions

 

The garden is situated in Valdres, Norway, at approximately 61° north, in a mountainous region characterised by cold, snowy winters, relatively cool summers and a short growing season.

Climate and Precipitation

The area has a distinctly montane climate. Regional climatic data indicate an annual precipitation of approximately 700–1,000 mm, with most precipitation falling during the summer months.

Average January temperatures range between −8 and −12°C, while July averages are typically between 8 and 12°C. The mean annual temperature is approximately 0–2°C.

Snow Cover and Winter Conditions

A continuous snow cover typically becomes established in late October or early November and persists throughout the winter, usually disappearing around mid-May.

Modelled snow data from a nearby location indicate an average seasonal maximum snow depth of approximately one metre, increasing to around 1.6 metres in particularly snowy winters.

The garden remains snow-covered throughout the winter, providing valuable natural insulation and protecting alpine plants from severe frost, winter desiccation and rapid temperature fluctuations. Despite the low winter temperatures, this stable snow cover creates relatively favourable overwintering conditions for many alpine species.

Daylight and Growing Season

The garden's northern location results in considerable seasonal variations in daylight.

At the summer solstice, daylight lasts for approximately 19 hours and 20 minutes, while at the winter solstice it is reduced to around 5 hours and 30 minutes.

The exceptionally long summer days provide an extended period of natural light during the relatively short growing season, an important factor for the growth and development of many high-altitude plants.

Geology and Natural Habitats

The geology of the surrounding region is varied, with quartzite, sandstone, shale and limestone occurring in the wider area.

The regional landscape is characterised by mountain forests, heathlands, mires and wetlands, with vegetation influenced by elevation, soil conditions, moisture availability and exposure.

These environmental variations provide inspiration for the development of a diverse range of specialised growing habitats within the garden.

Garden Design and Growing Conditions

The garden will be developed around the principle of creating habitats rather than flower beds.

Our aim is not to replicate nature, which would be impossible given the countless interacting factors that shape natural alpine habitats. Instead, we seek to learn from nature by studying the environments in which alpine plants grow in the wild. These observations provide both inspiration and practical knowledge, guiding us in creating suitable growing conditions through careful consideration of drainage, moisture, substrate composition, exposure and microclimate.

The garden will incorporate free-draining screes, crevice constructions, peat-block habitats, moist areas, streams, small waterfalls and specialised growing substrates.

By combining the naturally cool climate, prolonged winter snow cover and extended summer daylight with habitats designed around the ecological requirements of different plants, the project aims to create suitable growing conditions for a wide range of alpine species from mountain regions around the world.​