For anyone seeking garden inspiration, a visit to Peter and Monica Knutsson's garden in Oxelösund is a must. Situated on a steeply sloping plot, this garden has been transformed into a space with many natural rooms. Here, you can enjoy a wide variety of bulb plants, alpines, rock garden plants, perennials, shrubs, and trees, especially evergreen species. The extensive collections of plants like boxwood, holly, Kalmia, Pieris, and rhododendron make the garden a must-see year-round.
Filming with Peter Knutsson
A friend connected me with Peter, and after our spontaneous meeting, I had plenty of great footage to create a portrait film. Nothing was pre-planned; we filmed on the fly while Peter guided me through the garden, making it a perfect setup for capturing authentic and playful content.
A Garden for All Seasons
One of the most impressive features of this garden is its diversity of evergreen plants, both leafy and coniferous. Alongside hundreds of dwarf conifers, these plants create a garden that remains beautiful and interesting in every season. This is truly a haven for garden enthusiasts looking for inspiration on how to use evergreens in their own gardens.
Experimental Growing Methods and Design
Since the mid-1980s, Peter and Monica have been experimenting with different growing techniques to create their dream garden. They’ve used wet beds, raised peat beds, and pure sand cultivation. The goal has always been to create a garden with many natural rooms. Using stone and peat, they’ve built raised plantings that accommodate both woodland and rock garden areas.
A Peaceful Oasis
The garden is designed to offer a sense of calm and harmony. Small grassy areas, gravel and stone paths, and a bubbling stream that leads to a pond with water lilies all contribute to this tranquil atmosphere. Trees and shrubs form a green canopy over the garden, while rhododendrons and magnolias, along with various perennials, make every walk through the garden an exciting journey of discovery.
Sources of Inspiration and Travels
Peter and Monica have drawn much of their garden inspiration from their travels. They have visited gardens and botanical gardens in Poland, the Czech Republic, Scotland, England, and Germany. They’ve even ordered plants from Japan. This constant search for new green treasures keeps their garden dynamic and ever-changing.
Adapting to Climate Change
Warmer summers have posed new challenges for the garden. To help their plants thrive, Peter and Monica have built wet beds that act as water reservoirs, helping the plants retain moisture during dry periods. Despite nearby areas facing irrigation bans, Oxelösund has been spared, but the warm weather still affects the plants.
