Ulla Molin-priset 2010!

Ulla Molin's Garden in Höganäs – A Living Cultural Treasure

Hidden behind tall fences and oxel (Sorbus) hedges, on a corner plot in an otherwise ordinary residential street in Höganäs, lies a remarkable garden oasis. Few who pass by could suspect the existence of this lovingly preserved and carefully developed cultural gem, where the current owners, Hans Ljungström and Christina Ekman Ljungström, continue to nurture and evolve the garden in Ulla Molin’s distinctive spirit.

The History and Legacy of Ulla Molin's Garden

Ulla Molin (1909–1997) was one of Sweden’s most influential garden designers and garden journalists. Over several decades, she transformed an older villa garden in Höganäs into a modernist masterpiece between the 1970s and 1990s. The garden became known for its innovative and thoughtful design principles, including blurring the boundaries between inside and outside, creating a series of distinct garden rooms, and choosing simple, robust plantings in lieu of traditional lawns. Characterized by its architectural clarity, large swathes of few plant species, and thoughtful provision for birds and other wildlife, the garden remains a paradigm of Swedish twentieth-century garden design.

Remarkably, in 2010 the garden was declared a cultural heritage site (kulturminnesmärkt), making it Sweden’s first private garden to receive such distinction. This recognition underscores both its historical importance and Ulla Molin’s pioneering role in the development of Swedish garden art.

The Current Stewards

Hans Ljungström and Christina Ekman Ljungström had long admired the garden, having visited it through friends, but it was not until 2007 – when life circumstances permitted – that they were able to purchase it. Christina recalls first seeing the property as its new owners: “We arrived in October; I had broken my leg and was hobbling around the garden. It was dark, and the garden definitely wasn’t at its most beautiful, at least not compared to other seasons. Yet we were utterly captivated. Its structure is so beautiful. Now, in the heart of winter when the trees are outlined against the snow, the garden truly becomes a work of art.”

The couple continue to care for the 800-square-meter oasis with delight and reverence, adhering to Molin’s principles. The garden contains no lawns, instead offering a network of winding paths that lead visitors on an ever-changing tour through well-defined rooms planted with robust, unfussy species. Children and dogs alike enjoy exploring its green corridors, each turn unveiling a new perspective. The garden’s composition is so rich that even after many years, one still discovers fresh details and connections.

A comprehensive management plan, developed by Anna Andreasson (an archaeologist specializing in garden history), now serves as a practical handbook for the Ljungströms as they work to preserve and gently renew the garden. According to this plan, special attention is currently focused on the “stage” near the house and the plum grove, where aging fruit trees are gradually being replaced with new, vigorous specimens.

“Like a Painting”

Christina’s favorite spot in the garden is the stage — a slightly raised area just outside the living room’s glass sliding doors, offering a sweeping view. From there, one sees the distinctive round birdbath in the foreground and the plum grove beyond, now rejuvenated with new growth. “The garden's varied shapes and contours form a restful spectacle for the mind,” Christina explains. “Sitting here, the garden is like a painting. Even though the space isn’t large, you’re always discovering something new.”

Recognition and Award

In 2010, Christina Ekman Ljungström and Hans Ljungström received a special honor from the Ulla Molin Memorial Fund for their humble, joyful, and attentive stewardship — ensuring that Ulla Molin’s vision not only lives on, but continues to inspire. The award, consisting of a diploma and 10,000 Swedish kronor, was the final such recognition before the fund concluded its mission.

The Ulla Molin Memorial Fund

Founded after Ulla Molin’s death in 1997, the fund sought to encourage efforts in Swedish garden art aligned with her central vision — supporting not only practical and educational initiatives but also journalistic and knowledge-building contributions that foster appreciation for the beauty and practical design of gardens. Each year’s recipient embodied these ideals. For example, in 2009, journalist Gunnel Carlson received the award, while in 2000, the first prize was shared by Ulf Nordfjell and Lars Krantz for their successful exhibition "Trädgården och konsthantverket" during the 1998 European Capital of Culture celebrations.

Today, Ulla Molin’s garden stands as a living laboratory and source of inspiration — a testament to thoughtful design, continuity, and the ever-renewing joy of the cultivated landscape.

Text adapted by [your name, optional], based on original by Titti Olsson, Movium. Photo: Awardees Mikael Risedal, garden Titti Olsson.