291 Illustrations

Few people have difficulty conjuring images of modern Scandinavian design, whose influence over the past century has reached around the world. More difficult for many is imagining the quiet landscapes of the Nordic countries, which range from the flatlands of Denmark to the dramatic mountains and fjords of Norway. These majestic environments, combined with long summer days and light-poor winters, raking light and dense birch forests, have given rise to exceptionally refined examples of garden and landscape design.

This survey presents the best gardens to have been produced in the region over the past ten years. Organized by themes that encapsulate the special ambience and lifestyle of the Scandinavian countries – Simplicity, Silence, Fragility, Nakedness, Attunement, Boldness, Openness and Care – each garden is presented through images and texts explaining its unique aspects and describing its particularly Scandinavian characteristics.

The timelessness of Nordic design has proven itself around the world for many decades. Now it is time for the quality of its gardens and landscapes to come into the light.

Contents List

Introduction • Simple: Scandinavian design values and basic principles • Silent: Playing with the captivating Nordic light • Fragile: Principles of planting and selecting plants Pale: Using colour palettes for effect • Naked: Durability meets elegance in hard landscaping • Attuned: Creative opportunities through the seasons • Bold: Urban and environmentally friendly gardens • Open: A grow-your-own lifestyle close to nature Caring: Stimulating spaces made for people to thrive

Annika Zetterman is a professional garden designer with over ten years’ experience working throughout Scandinavia and the rest of Europe.