Variation over time. The species that can be seen flowering in the alpine garden vary through the summer. The earliest ones, like purple saxifrage (Saxifraga oppositifolia) and spring pasqueflower (Pulsatilla vernalis), bloom already in May, and yellow lousewort (Pedicularis oederi) in early June. July is usually the month when the largest number of plants is in flower, and the floral splendour is over by mid-August. Nor can you expect to see the same species flowering year after year. Some disappear following a dry summer or frost damage in winter, some spread into the garden naturally, while a few need to be planted every so often. The garden is continually changing.
And variation in space. A network of paths guide you past shady rock faces and over moist hollows, across a stream, and over dry knolls and ridges. The area is so varied that plants with completely different habitat demands are able to find a niche within this small space.
Spring pasqueflower Pulsatilla vernalis, 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.
