Lund, Sweden
The narrow streets of Lund, Sweden are made from granite cobblestones, with tight sidewalks constructed from larger stone blocks. As you walk through the town’s historic streets, the pattern of rocks reaching from building to building leaves little space for trees and flowers to grow; with the notable exception of Rose and Holly.
Throughout the old sections of town, rose bushes and hollyhock plants are planted in front of the buildings, acting like door columns and home ornaments. They add a splash of color to the front of the houses and during the summertime add wonderful scents when the roses are in bloom. The climate of southern Sweden makes it ideal for growing both of these plants with the longer hours of summer daylight. Outside of providing a beautiful community setting, I was not able to find information on why these two plants are the favorite of sidewalks around southern Sweden. If you know anything about the history, please let me know.
The different types of structures and shapes used to guide the plants’ growth are particularly striking. Attaching to the exterior of the buildings, these guides were made of materials from rectangular wood slats to steel columns, and sometimes nothing at all, leaving the tall stalks to wave freely. The uniformity of the rose and holly plants standing sentry is balanced by the variety of supports. Walking through the streets of Lund, the plants range from knee height to roof height, with some meticulously manicured while others are left to roam on their own accord.
With small roadways and limited traffic, Lund is perfect for exploring on foot or by bike. People in Lund – young and old – are moving about the city on bike, complete with baskets. When visiting, the local bike-share program provides a quick and inexpensive way to explore town during all seasons.
Whether you are walking or biking, this city offers the gift of smelling the roses everyday. How could you not smile watching these flowers blooming throughout the seasons, year after year.
Planning Resources
| Location | Lund, Sweden Copenhagen Airport (CPH) to Lund Central Station via Train: 40 mins |
| Visitor Information Resources | Lund Tourist Information Sites https://visitlund.se/en https://www.touristinformationlund.se/attractions/ |
| Tours | Viator – Lund Audio Tour: Link |
| Bike Share | Lundahoj: https://www.lundahoj.se/en/home |
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