These Swiss gardens that are more than worth the detour

Switzerland is not directly known for its gardens or its horticultural culture. And yet it has nothing to be ashamed of in international comparison. It offers a rich heritage in this area, worth exploring.

In his “Gartenführer SchweizExternal link» (guide to the gardens of Switzerland), the Bernese author Sarah Fasolin describes no less than three hundred and thirty of them. “They are small or large, private or public, orderly or almost wild,” she writes in the preamble, wishing many joy and gratifying experiences to those who visit them. Here are ten of them, which reflect the beautiful diversity of the country. Our descriptions are based on the portraits proposed by Sarah Fasolin.

Merian Gardens, Basel

It is one of the most beautiful areas in Switzerland. And that’s saying something. The laying of the first stone dates back to Christoph Merian, son of one of Basel’s wealthiest families. In 1824, the latter took over the place and converted it into a vast agricultural enterprise.

Kathrin Schulthess Photography _ Christoph Merian Stiftung

His passion also touches exotic plants. The estate transformed into a botanical garden and this vast development can be discovered today in all the diversity of a landscaped nature, thanks to the foundation of the creator of the place.

Biodiversity and native flora are on the menu. There are more than four hundred varieties of pears, apples and plums here, a sea of ​​flowers but also, just a stone’s throw away, the graceful romanticism of an English garden.

“Demonstration gardens, plant collections and rural gardens combine in a mosaic manner to form a coherent whole,” notes Sarah Fasolin in her guide to the Merian gardens.

La Gara, Geneva

La Gara is one of the most remarkable private gardens in the country, nestled within an 18th century estate.^e century, located a little outside the city.

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For twenty-five years, landscape architect Erik Dhont has used his impulses as innovative as they are surprising. It weaves a link between modernity and the history of these exceptional places. Old elements are modified, recreated or supplemented with additions, including fruits, berries and roses. As well as an old canal and a park to get lost in.

Not to mention the fun labyrinth imagined by a Bernese artist. We also cultivate vines here. Guided tour of La GaraExternal link ends with a tasting of the estate’s wines.

The Gartenatelier, Graubünden

“The gardens of Gartenatelier in Domat/Ems are undoubtedly among the best addresses in Switzerland for gardening,” writes Sarah Fasolin.

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The whole combines landscapes which, brought together, immerse you in a garden rich in atmosphere. There we discover a meadow area dedicated to American flora. Further on, a shade garden, a “climate garden” looking to the future where plants from the South are tested, as well as a “garden of icons”, which celebrates the greats of international horticultural architecture.

At the entrance to the GartenatelierExternal linkan imposing Art Nouveau building, a real gateway to this natural universe full of surprises.

The Camellia Park, Locarno

A dream place, created after the war years of the First World War, to instill joy in the population of Locarno. This idyllic site on the shores of the lake is entirely dedicated to camellias alone.

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A plant that the park offers in 1,500 varieties, sometimes fragrant, sometimes surprisingly colorful, systematically matched according to their origin. Enough to make the gardeners of the municipality of Locarno true camellia specialists.

“The park is designed in such a way that it forms a sort of labyrinth where the visitor can lose themselves in splendid nature, the singing of birds and the lapping of the waves of the lake,” assures the municipality about its garden.

Wellenberg Castle, Frauenfeld

A castle has existed here since 1204, according to ancient documents. The current owner designs and maintains his garden himself. It also gave shape to sections of the hill that had long been left to the will of wild grasses.

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In the middle of the garden, we find ourselves face to face with the peony, which flowers here with its most diverse attractions. The places are more than welcoming with the various possibilities of finding places to sit. They also contain a forest park with water features.

The Wellenberg Castle siteExternal link is in private hands. But guided tours are possible on request, including in the historic spaces of the castle itself.

The Château de Vullierens, near Lausanne

A pearl of French-speaking Switzerland, multifaceted and lively. “The elegant gardens with tulips, rhododendrons, irises and roses, the art objects and the setting of the historic castle, everything changes somewhat but the beauty is always there,” writes Sarah Fasolin.

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The Château de Vullierens includes nine thematic gardens and as many themed walks. The medieval residence has been in the hands of the same family for more than seven hundred years. Covering more than a hundred hectares, it maintains a unique private garden, adorned with more than a hundred sculptures by contemporary artists. It is also possible to taste the castle’s own winesExternal link.

Seleger Moor Park, near Zurich

A high marsh is the basis of everything here. The park’s founder Robert Seleger determined the very particular nature of the soil there in 1953 and then planted a suitable species, the rhododendron.

Andreas Fischer

The park now houses the country’s largest collection of this rustic genre. And this, in an enchanting setting, half an hour from Zurich. A researcher’s backpack is available to children.

The twelve hectares of Seleger MoorExternal link are still managed today by a foundation, which has introduced various plants typical of peat bog environments. The result is a paradise in which to immerse yourself, also passable for three kilometers in a wheelchair.

A rural garden, Bivio

An emblematic garden at an altitude of 1800 m. No vast harvests or pomp here. The period when one can cultivate is limited, the climate harsh. Potatoes, strawberries and carrots nevertheless find something to flourish there.

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The very particular situation and the unique configuration of the place, pampered for centuries, make it a popular photographic subject today.

This modest family garden has its place in the world of landscape architecture. It is the archetype of the garden: a protected place intended for plants. It is located about three kilometers from Bivio, towards the Col du Julier, on the left of the road.

The permaculture gardens of Schweibenalp

A vegetable garden looking to the future. A place of peace too. Above Lake Brienz, not far from a historic hotel brought back to life, nature friends have created one of the largest permaculture gardens in the country.

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Permaculture is an approach that goes well beyond simple horticulture. Its supporters focus on caring for the soil while encouraging cooperative cycles throughout life. Plants, animals, and among them, humans.

Permaculture? SchweibenalpExternal link is the ideal place to get into perfume. And see first-hand how its principles sometimes materialize into brilliantly simple gardening techniques.

The Flückiger rural garden, near Bern

The postcard version of the Swiss rural garden as it was the rule in Emmental.

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Although it is typical of the style of this region, it is no less recent and is located a stone’s throw from the city of Bern. We owe it to organic farmer Sandra Flückiger, who developed it from 2011.

The diversity of useful and ornamental plants links it to the characteristic gardens of Emmental with, in its case, an omnipresence of very old varieties. Clarification: visit the Flückiger farmExternal link requires prior registration.

Translated from German by Pierre-François Besson/sj