A couple of small patches of bog display a particularly rich variety of species, including sedges (Carex) and rushes (Juncus) that require damp conditions and are not found anywhere else in the alpine garden.
Yellow lousewort Pedicularis oederi Photo: Eli Fremstad
Scandinavian primrose Primula scandinavica Photo: Eli Fremstad
Capitate sedge Carex capitata Photo: Eli Fremstad
Chestnut rush Juncus castaneus Photo: Eli Fremstad
Most moist hollows are covered in willow scrub. The garden contains all the species of willow (Salix) that characterise the mountains, shrub-like grey willows, green-leafed ones, and dwarf species that creep along the ground. Some of these willows are common in the garden, but a few are only found in a couple of spots. Upland downy birch (Betula pubescens ssp. tortuosa), dwarf birch (Betula nana) and their hybrids are found in the highest part of the garden.
Woolly willow Salix lanata Photo: Eli Fremstad
Dwarf willow Salix herbacea Photo: Eli Fremstad
Tea-leaved willow Salix phyllicifolia Photo: Eli Fremstad
Kongsvoll Alpine Garden – Access – When is the garden open? – Enquiries
Access The Kongsvoll Alpine Garden is situated close to the E-6 highway and can also be reached by rail, some trains stopping by request at Kongsvoll railway station. The station is ten minutes walk from Kongsvold Fjeldstue, a lodge providing food and accommodation. The alpine garden occupies the knolls just south of the lodge. There is no entrance fee.
The weather decides when the garden is open Life in the mountains is regulated by the weather. The alpine garden opens on about 15th June, but the exact time can vary from year to year, depending on the weather conditions in spring and early summer. It closes on 20th August.
Enquiries about the garden Postal address in summer: Kongsvoll Biological Station, NO-7340 OPPDAL Telephone +47 72 40 43 47.
Postal address in winter: Section of Natural History, Museum of Natural History and Archaeology, NTNU, NO-7491 TRONDHEIM Telephone +47 73 59 22 56. Telefax +47 73 59 22 49 E-mail Kongsvoll.biologisk@vm.ntnu.no
You can have a brochure about Kongsvoll Alpine Garden at the reception of Kongsvold Fjeldstue (Inn) and at the information stand below the cafeteria.
