Dawn Y.
Yelp
This was always a fave spot, especially during summer when most of the city has left and o lu occasional flocks of tourists floated through. During winter, it's a meditative place to take a walk on a crisp day or in winter twilight. Everything that would have given it a 3 for many years has sorted itself out now in 2019, 17 years since my first visits as an immigrant. They have restored many of the original walking paths which means that in general the overgrowth and neglect has been replaced with an almost self conscious care with legions of caretakers everywhere you look, and a generally pruned appearance. it suits botaniska well. Labels, signs, researchers and students, botanist interested, etc all make a constant presence which also suits the gardens. Bathrooms, seating places, trash cans, brochures in multi language and orientation info boards. Often I mourn when a neglected place becomes popular but in this case it has created a cheerful peaceful hopeful and grateful atmosphere. It has an herb garden, a shop, a cafe, a formal garden, plantings by region for example Japan, North America, different regions of Sweden, etc. Just as the Honolulu Foster garden has its corpse plant this has the näsduk or Kleenex tree that draws crowds each year to see and photograph its blooming. I love sketching, picnicking, walking and lounging with a book in sun or shade here. No dogs allowed so I dont have to worry about where I sit. Few children so it is an open space of rustling leaves and occasional snatches of conversation. Just as important as dog parks and playgrounds are, quiet open spaces for people who need them are also needed in the urban environment. I think each of the past 5 years, the plantings are getting more thoughtful and delightful in the perennials even as they generally follow a symmetrical and linear design.