Sunday, September 7, 2008

Sofiero Garden Show 2008

Sofiero Castle is the former royal summer residence with exquisite gardens in Helsingborg and last weekend they opened the castle gates to their annual grand Sofiero Garden Show.

The sun was shining on blooming artichokes and dahlias, herb gardens framed by low apple-tree hedges, apple trees trained up trellises, the fairytale juniper-hedge maze and a lovely maiden playing a harp in the ravine.

Local organic food and Mediterranean gardens seemed to be the strongest trends of the show. The best foodie gems were Boels Blå, a gold medal creamy blue cheese from Holmana Organic Dairy Farm in Halland, a champagne and tapas tent, and perfectly ripe apples and squash galore from Fredriksdal's traditional kitchen garden and orchards. With whitewashed stone walls, rosemary bushes, fig and olive trees and cicada-song soundtrack, the Mediterrean show garden below seemed to effectively raise the perceived temperature of the day by least 10°C.

Photo by: Sven Olof Larsén

Lately named Sweden’s most beautiful park, the grounds of Sofiero play host to flower festivals, art exhibits, rock concerts, Shakespearean plays and classic car shows during the spring and summer and is an utterly tranquil haven for autumn and winter walks.

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