Norwegian version of this page

Plant collections

Ljosland Alpine Garden is divided into 12 plant collections. The collections presents plants from different habitats. As you walk the path around the garden, you will experience all the collections.

infografisk oversikt over Ljosland fjellhage
1. Entrance to the alpine garden, 2. Farm garden plants, 3. Wildflower meadow, 4. Willow, 5. Bog plants, 6. Kalk-poor mountain heath, 7. Tall perennials, 8. Different groups of mountain plants from Agder, 9. Field with rich flora, 10. Rocky ground rich in limestone, 11. Mountain pasture, 12. Plants from Svalbard, 13. Alpine plants outside of Agder, 14. Tall perennials and other alpine plants, 15. Exit from the alpine garden, 16. Store, 17. Entrance to Ljosland Fjellstove (Mountain Lodge), 18. Sitting area, 19. Sitting area, 20. Helicopter landing pad

Farm garden plants

bondehageplanter

The plants shown here all come from an abandoned farm garden at Ljosland. Most of them are the kind of plants that were commonly cultivated in farm gardens, for utility and decoration, and also historically as medicinal herbs.

Plants in the collection

(Only in Norwegian)

Wildflower meadow

blomstereng

The left part of the entrance to the mountain garden is a flower meadow. The alpine garden is situated in a semicircle between Ljosland Mountain Lodge (Ljosland fjellstove) and the river Monnåni. 

Plants in the collection

(Only in Norwegian)

Limestone-poor barren heath

snauheia

Here we present alpine plants from the calcium-poor barren heath. Most of the heaths here in the south are calcium-poor. The plants in Ljosland Alpine Garden have their main distribution on the barren mountains, mostly in the Setesdal and Sirdal heaths in Agder. We have included some tall perennials from the beautiful alpine birch forest and a few other non-alpin plants that are common in the mountains.

Plants in the collection

(Only in Norwegian)

Willow

viere

Here we present alpine plants from the calcium-poor barren heath. Most of the heaths here in the south are calcium-poor. The plants in Ljosland Alpine Garden have their main distribution on the barren mountains, mostly in the Setesdal and Sirdal heaths in Agder. We have included some tall perennials from the beautiful alpine birch forest and a few other non-alpin plants that are common in the mountains.

Plants in the collection

(Only in Norwegian)

Bog

myrplanter

Here we present plants that belong to moist environments, such as marshes and along water edges. There are mostly so-called poor bogs in Agder with few species, but there are also rich bogs that contain a rich flora with calcium loving plants, such as Vidmyr in Bykle.

Plants in the collection

(Only in Norwegian)

Tall perennials

høystaudeeng

In locations with good access to nutrients and water, a rich community of tall perennials can develop. The most beautiful tall perennial meadows in the mountains of Agder are found in Bykle.

Plants in the collections

(Only in Norwegian)

Rocky ground rich in limestone

kalkrik rasmark

From Hjelmeland in the Ryfylkeheiane and northeast towards Haukelisæter, there are soft and nutrient-rich phyllite schists. The schist extends just into the northwest of Bykle at an altitude of around 1200 m. Here, there is a distinctive flora not found elsewhere in the Setesdaleheiane. The phyllite schist in the garden comes from the tunnels at Haukelifjell.

Plants in the collection

(Only in Norwegian)

Red-listed plants

skilt med informasjon om rødlistede planter

Norway has signed the convention on biological diversity. Here, we have committed ourselves to preserv the endangered flora, i.e., species listed on the red list. In the alpine garden, we have several plants that are on the red list, and more will be added.

Plants in the collection

(Only in Norwegian)

Rich flora

frodig støylseng

We can still find remnants of rich flower meadows near farms in the mountain, summer mountain pastures, and similar areas, for example, at Bratteli in Bykle. However, encroachment of birch forest has progressed significantly, and the use of artificial fertilizers can also result in a poor, monotonous flora.

Plants in the collection

(Only in Norwegian)

Plants from Svalbard

gul liten blomst

In collacoration with the University Centre in Svalbard, we have received some plants from Svalbard to cultivate them here at Ljosland. The first planting took place in 2010.

Plants in the collection

(Only in Norwegian)

Alpine plants outside of Agder

reinmjelt (blomst)

There are many mountain plants that do not naturally grow in Agder. We try to obtain them through seed exchange with other botanical gardens in the Nordic countries. These plants have their own bed. All the mountain plants here are from Norway.

Plants in the collection

(Only in Norwegian)

Rich tall perennial meadow

frodig høystaudeeng

At the exit of the alpine garden, we have made room for another bed with tall perennials. Here, we also present perennials that do not naturally grow in Agder, such as globe flower and mountain thrift.

Plants in the collection

(Only in Norwegian)