Helsinki Winter Garden: A Green Oasis

The Helsinki Winter Garden, or Talvipuutarha in Finnish, is a plant oasis located north of Töölönlahti Bay. Established in 1893, it has served as a recreational meeting place for locals for over a century. The garden was founded by Jakob Julius af Lindfors, who later donated it to the Finnish Garden Association, stipulating that it should always remain free to the public. His wishes have been honored throughout its history. The construction costs at the time amounted to 121,000 Finnish marks, which equals around 20,000 euros. The Winter Garden is home to over 200 different plant species that flourish within three distinct rooms: the Cactus Room, the Palm Room, and the Western Wing. The oldest plant is a camellia tree that is over 130 years old. Seasonal flowering plants add variety to the floral splendor throughout the year. At Christmastime, poinsettias, azaleas, and belladonna lilies bloom, while wild daffodils and tulips herald Easter. In front of the Winter Garden lies the Rose Garden, designed by city gardener Svante Olsson and built in 1924. It features over 3,000 roses, predominantly in pink hues, spread across 1.2 hectares. Other flowers also bloom here from spring to autumn. The Winter Garden, the Rose Garden, and the plant production area behind it together form the City Garden. The romantic fresco on the back wall of the central hall was painted by Salomo Wuorio. It was hidden for a time but was rediscovered and restored during renovations in 1977.