Arctic–Alpine Botanic Garden

What is Arctic–Alpine Botanic Garden?

The Arctic–Alpine Botanic Garden is a collection of outdoor beds and paths where visitors can explore plants that thrive in cold, northern climates. It covers a range of species from Arctic and mountain regions. The setting offers open views of the nearby mountains. The garden features plants such as rhododendrons, blue poppies (Meconopsis), asters, and saxifrages, as well as roses and other hardy flowers. There are no fences or gates, so people can wander in at any time.

The history of Arctic–Alpine Botanic Garden

Founded in 1994, the garden was created by the Tromsø University Museum to showcase plants adapted to Arctic and alpine conditions. Its location in Tromsø, Norway, allows it to display species from across the northern hemisphere. The garden was established to take advantage of the region’s mild winters and cool summers, made possible by the Gulf Stream’s warming effect. Over time, it has become a place for both research and public enjoyment.

What there is to see

The garden is planted with a wide variety of cold-hardy species, arranged in beds according to their native habitats. Planting is done in spring after the snow melts, and the main growing season lasts from late May to mid-October. The garden uses the long daylight of the midnight sun to help plants grow during the short summer. Paths wind through collections of rhododendrons, blue poppies, roses, and other mountain flowers.

When to go

People visit the garden to see rare and unusual plants that grow in Arctic and alpine regions. It is a place for learning about how plants survive in cold climates, and for enjoying the outdoors during the long days of summer. The garden is open to all, at any hour, and is used for research, teaching, and recreation.

Parts and collections

The garden’s collections include a range of plant groups, such as rhododendrons like R. lapponicum, blue poppies (Meconopsis), asters, and saxifrages. There are also displays of roses bred for cold climates, as well as other genera like Polemonium, Erigeron, Codonopsis, Allium, Silene, Tellima, and Heuchera. These collections highlight the diversity of plants that can survive in northern and mountain environments.

Why Arctic–Alpine Botanic Garden matters

The Arctic–Alpine Botanic Garden is known for being the world’s northernmost botanic garden. It has been featured in television programs, such as Monty Don’s 'Around the World in 80 Gardens', which brought attention to its unique setting and plant collections. The garden is a point of pride for Tromsø and attracts visitors interested in Arctic nature and botany.

The flowers of Arctic–Alpine Botanic Garden

RoseWoody perennial plants with showy, often fragrant flowers in many coloursAlliumThe genus of onions, garlic, leeks, chives and their wild relativesRhododendronA vast group of shrubs and trees with showy blooms in many coloursWild GarlicA wild woodland plant with star-shaped white flowers and edible leavesAsterStar-shaped perennial flowers from Eurasia, popular in gardens for late bloomsCatawba rosebayA spring-flowering rhododendron native to the southern Appalachian MountainsMeconopsis grandisA blue-flowered poppy from the Himalayas grown for its striking bloomsCommon rhododendronA dense evergreen shrub with violet-purple flowers from Europe and the Caucasus

Questions people ask about Arctic–Alpine Botanic Garden

Good reading and sources

• Arctic–Alpine Botanic Garden on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data