Types of Swedish Flowers

Sweden is a land full of rich culture and history, beautiful art and lush natural beauty. The various geographical landscapes and moderate temperatures of the region provide a good environment for many different types of flowers. From cool shady forests to the tundra of the north, Sweden has a large variety of plant life.

Types

There is an abundance of varieties of flowers that grow in Sweden. Some of the most common flowers are the twinflower, hibiscus, the wax plant, the May flower, hoya plant, yellow lady's slipper, sand pink, mountain ash, chickweed wintergreen and bur forget-me-nots.

National Flower

The twinflower (Linnea borealis) is the national flower of Sweden. This delicate pink bloom earns its name from the way that two flowers grow from each stem. The plant's shallow roots and creeping low stems prefer the open shade of pine woods. The twinflower prefers cooler temperatures of the northern regions. It has an intoxicating sweet fragrance.

Geography

Sweden is known for its wide open country sides and ample space for growing plants. The landscape is dotted with farms and small rural communities. More than half of Sweden is covered by forests, allowing shade-seeking plants to flourish. Sweden has a variety of small islands, especially around Stockholm. The shores of the Baltic Sea allow coastal plants to thrive. The northern parts of the country are as far north as northern Alaska and contain tundra.

Climate

The climate of Sweden's capital, Stockholm, is considered to be moderate. In the winter months, temperatures rarely fall below the twenties and in the summer the average stays between sixty-eight and seventy-seven degrees. The coldest winter months do get some snow and rain falls year round. Late summer sees the most rain. Because there are rarely any extremes in temperature and the soil stays moist, the climate of Stockholm allows many different types of flowers to grow. Temperatures do get more extreme as you head north toward the tundra. Varieties of hardy tundra plants, like the pasque flower can live here.

Growing at Home

Some of the flowers of Sweden can be grown as houseplants, even in totally different climates. Many of these plants have been adapted to thrive in home environments. For example, the hoya plant is supposedly a very easy houseplant to grow. It doesn't take much care and can be grown indoors or out. They have big vibrant red blooms and a strong perfume.

Uses

Many of the flowers of Sweden are more than just pretty things to look at. Some of them have medicinal qualities and can be used to treat certain illnesses. The yellow lady's slipper shares similar properties of Indian valerian, which can be used to treat nervous disorders. It can be used in teas and other forms to calm the nerves and treat depression. The pasque plant is used to treat certain eye diseases.

References

• Sweden
• Twinflower
• Hoyas

Resources

• National and State Flowers