Linné flyttar hem

Ulf Nordfjells utställningsträdgård "En hyllning till Linné" flyttas denna veckan från Botaniska trädgården i Göteborg till Växjö. Trädgården vann guldmedalj på Chelsea Flower Show 2007, flyttades därefter till Botaniska och har under tre år lockat otaliga besökare. Nu är det alltså dags för trädgården att glädja invånarna i Linnés eget landskap Småland där han föddes i Råshult 1707.

The Linnéträdgården’s Journey from Gothenburg to Växjö

Origins and International Acclaim

The Linnéträdgården (Linné Garden), a tribute to the famous botanist Carl von Linné, was originally designed by landscape architect Ulf Nordfjell for the 300th anniversary of Linné’s birth. Commissioned by the Swedish Linné Delegation, the garden first attracted international attention through its highly praised appearance at the Chelsea Flower Show in London. Following this success, it was set up next to the new entrance of Göteborgs botaniska trädgård, intended for a year-long display. However, due to its popularity, the garden remained in Gothenburg for three summers.

Temporary Home in Gothenburg

As the head of operations, Rigmor Celander, explained, the garden was never planned as a permanent feature at the Botanical Garden. “We’ve had difficulty parting with it, and the visitors have truly loved Linnéträdgården, but it was never meant to be a permanent part of Botaniska,” Celander said. The decision to relocate was also necessary for the health of the plants, which required greater soil depth than the temporary site allowed.

Relocation to Växjö and Reconstruction

Stadsträdgårdsmästare Eva Eklind Blomkvist expressed her excitement about the garden’s move: “It’s fantastic! All Växjö residents can feel proud and inspired by the garden. It’s a small facility but beautifully and thoughtfully designed. We worked hard to bring the garden home to Växjö,” she told Smålandsposten. Rigmor Celander also noted, “It’s wonderful that Växjö is able to take care of the Linnéträdgården and give it a permanent home. Linné himself would likely be delighted that his garden returns ‘home’ to Småland.” While Gothenburg’s Botanical Garden generously donated the garden to Växjö Municipality, the cost of relocation and reconstruction came to approximately 1.2 million SEK.

New Beginnings by Lake Trummen

Linnéträdgården was rebuilt on the western shore of Lake Trummen in Växjö, where it was inaugurated in May of the following year. Its new setting offers deeper, richer soil for the diverse botanical specimens, preserving the original vision while providing a lasting tribute to Linné’s legacy. The garden is now open daily, around the clock, and is an easily accessible and inspiring green space only a short walk from central Växjö. Visitors describe the Linnéträdgården as small yet exquisitely curated—“an oasis in the city” where a variety of plants are presented in a harmonious, thoughtfully-arranged landscape.

Celebrating a Lasting Legacy

As of May 2025, the Linnéträdgården has just celebrated its seasonal opening. The municipality continues to develop local projects, such as the recent “En halv miljon idéer” (Half a Million Ideas) initiative for rural development—further strengthening Växjö’s role in creating engaging environments for residents and visitors alike.

Further Inspiration

For inspiration on other remarkable botanical gardens in Sweden, you may also want to read about Botaniska trädgården i Lund, which, like Linnéträdgården, demonstrates Sweden’s rich horticultural heritage and ongoing commitment to beautiful, accessible garden spaces.

In summary, the Linnéträdgården’s relocation to Växjö marks a celebrated new chapter, ensuring that Carl von Linné’s legacy continues to inspire nature lovers in Småland for generations to come.