Monday, June 10, 2013

My Trip To Arboretum Mustila


     I would like to tell you about my trip to the arboretum where many varieties of hardy evergreen rhododendrons were bred. It is located in southern Finland, called "Arboretum Mustila" and can be compared to the forest park.  
High-speed train "Allegro" St. Petersburg - Helsinki brought me early in the morning and an hour later I was at the entrance to Mustila.


   By purchasing a ticket I found on the map a route for those who want to see the blooming rhododendrons. Its length was about 3 km, marked by the arrows along the trail.  


The arboretum is full of interesting plants, such as several species of fir trees, heathers, ornamental apple trees and berry bushes, lilies of the valley and forget-me-. And of course there are many kinds of rhododendrons, getting to know them was the purpose of my trip to Mustila.

1st picture: 'Cunningan's White' rhododendron, ornamental apple tree, yellow weigela.
2nd picture: yellow and pink azaleas, Petasites Japanese, Abies Balsamea,  Pseudotsuga.
 
As soon as I was surrounded by flowering rhododendrons I began to take pictures, look for the best shot, composition. Immediately I noticed lilies of the valley which grew in huge numbers among the rhododendrons.
   The first one 'Cunningan's White' variety was one of the "parents" of hybrid "Pohjola's Daughter" growing in my garden. Many evergreen shrubs have already faded blooming and now have started flowering deciduous rhododendrons.
They all grow "in nature" among heather, lily of the valley, forget-me-nots and granite boulders rise above it all.


    I've read it has been the great work since the arboretum foundation in 1902 and in its further development. Taking a walk among the plants, I constantly was seeing foresters and workers who care for the plantings. Numerous groups of children, pensioners, students and fans of plants passed along the paths accompanied by experienced guides.
   It should be noted that it is necessary to walk along the trail and you can sit, relax and eat in special places in the arboretum.There are glades with benches, umbrellas and tables; places for lectures, exchange of views and experiences.

 paths and glades

    Interestingly, the nature is not exposed any "processing": the grass is not mowed, "weeds" grow as the most beautiful flowers, plants are not pruned, above it all the butterflies, dragonflies, flies, mosquitoes, bees, wasps, bumblebees and many singing birds flit and fly.


   Small shop was near the exit, there were the seedlings of trees, ornamental shrubs, roses, rhododendrons, azaleas and other plants which have been grown in the arboretum for sale. Many visitors came out, carrying bags with purchased favorite plants.


52 comments:

  1. Did you buy anything? You know, I've driven hundreds of times by Mustila, but I've never visited there! Maybe I should...

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    1. I didn't, Satu. Because of strict customs rules. It was pity!

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    2. I'm not sure of the strict custom rules as an acquaintance of mine who lives in Saint Petersburg area regularly does shopping in finnish garden centres and takes home strawberryplants, perennials, small trees and of course azaleas and rhododendrons. She says that she puts the plants into a large black bin bag and no-one in the customs couldn't care less.

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    3. Olli, the custom rules are strict, that's right. And your acquaintance regularly does against them.

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  2. This is very interesting and informative! Thanks for sharing this magical place... Larry

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  3. Beautiful pictures you show. We have a few "rhododendron park" here - a number of years ago we also had "A Japanese Garden" with many rhododendron / azalea.
    I like all the different rhododendron exist - they are so beautiful when they flower - but also beautiful when they have finished flowering. Wish you a good day / good new week :) Hugs Hanne Bente

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    1. You're right, Hanne Bente! The rhododendrons are nice all the year: in bloom, after it and covered with snow.
      Thank you!

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  4. What a beautiful natural place to visit and enjoy.
    So great you can buy the plants you have seen in the Arboretum that you like right there after the visit.
    Have a lovely week,
    Marian

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    1. Many other people could buy the plants. Unfortunately I couldn't because the customs don't permit to carry plants without sanitary certificate. But I can buy them here in St. Petersburg in a special garden center.
      Thank you, Marian!

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  5. What an interesting arboretum. I am intrigued by the fact that they leave the weeds, and they don't mow or prune. They are showing plants as they live in the wild, naturally. You had a great tour and visit!

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    1. Exactly, there is wild nature in arboretum. But the foresters do much work growing new hybrids, varieties, species.
      Thank you, Laurrie!

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  6. What a lovely place to visit, it looks so natural and peaceful. I love the path of forget-me-nots.

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  7. What a heavenly place you have shown us Nadezda! If I had more space I would like my garden to be more like this, no fixed beds, everything growing more naturally. The pathway of forget-me-nots is gorgeous.

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    1. If I had my garden larger, I would like more rhododendrons and ...:)))
      But we have what we have and need growing plants in beds.
      Thank you, Rosemary!

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  8. Hello Nadezda girl !
    What a beautiful natural setting to see these plants in ! .. I love seeing the wooded areas with so many different plants to look at and the signs to let you know what they are .. I would be making notes ? LOL
    I am thinking of a white rhodo but in a small version .. hope I can find something like that .. there are actually new breeds that flower repeatedly .. now that is something I could really obsess about ! haha
    Joy : )

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    1. The white rhododendron is beautiful, you're right! I'd like to have this one as well.
      Thank you, Joy!

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  9. That Arboretum must have been a lovely place to visit. I can imagine you made more and more pictures. The 3 km Rhododendron walk must have been beautiful.

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    1. Ha,ha! These 3 km were not difficult to go, taking pictures and moving my head from one side to another.
      Thank you, Janneke!

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  10. What a fun visit to this wonderful arboretum! Your pictures are beautiful and the forget-me-not path is stunning! Were you tempted to buy anything? Happy new week!

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    1. Peter, I didn't buy the plants, because of strict customs rules of transporting plants through the border. It was pity, I'd buy many of them.
      Thank you!

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  11. What a beautiful place! It reminds me a bit of an area close to where I live. :o) I love all the azaleas and rhododendrons. The forget me nots are so pretty.

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    1. This path with forget-me-not was very nice and I intermediately wanted to take photo. Thank you, Tammy!

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  12. What a beautiful place. Even more so knowing that everything grows there naturally, with no special attention from man. That picture of the blue flowers lining the pathway is idyllic. It looks like a picture out of a fairy tale.

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    1. Holley,
      It's really like fairy tale! The forget-me-nots were so touching.
      Thank you!

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  13. What a beautiful place! I like the informality, those white rhododendrons, and the forget me nots by the roadside! Thank you for the tour.

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  14. My goodness, Nadezda, what a gorgeous spot! As much as I enjoyed the rhododendrons, I really liked your pictures of the Lily of the Valley. They reminded me of my very first perfume: 'Muguet des Bois'.

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    1. Astrid, I love this place very much as well. The same as for you the smell of Lily of the Valley reminds me of a little bottle with green liquid and the inscription "Perfume.Lily of the Valley".
      Thank you!

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  15. It looks like you went to paradise Nadezda!!!What a beautiful place Mustila is!!!
    And all those preety flowers!!!Wow!!!Wonderful pictures too!!!
    This is the link for the orange jam!http://bettyscuisine.blogspot.gr/2010/04/blog-post_27.htmlYou have to trasnlate it first!I hope i help you!!Thank you for your kind comments on my blog!!
    Have a lovely week!!
    Dimi..

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    1. Dimi, now I will try this recipe, thank you!

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  16. What beautiful parts in this Arboretum. I love azaleas!

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    1. I'm glad you liked this place. Thank you, Lona!

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  17. It is an act of faith to plant an arboretum isn't it. Those who do, must know that they are unlikely to see the result of it. Just as well some people will take that leap.

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    1. You are right, those who planted the first trees have not seen the result and those who visit the arboretum now see the result of the work of several generations of foresters.
      Thank you, Jenny!

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  18. I enjoyed this post Nadezda,
    I liked the photographs too. I like going to arboretums - they are always calm and pleasant places. Nice azaleas!!
    Kirk

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    1. The woods and especially arboretums are quiet and beautiful places, I agree!
      Thank you, Kirk!

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  19. Una entrada preciosa. El bosque en estado puro:))
    Nadezda, has hecho unos mosaicos preciosos me gustan mucho las campanitas de la foto 7
    Un beso.

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    1. Laura, yo uso el programma 'GIMP Image Editor 2.6' para hacer collajes, si puedes tenerlo en tu computadora, te gustara, estoy segura!
      En You-tube hay explicaciones para usarlo en espanol.
      Gracias!

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  20. Such a beautiful place! I would never think of rhododendrons growing so freely in Finland. We can grow them here in the Midwest, but they much prefer other parts of the U.S., and they don't grow wild here. The arboretum was well worth the train ride!

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    1. Yes, Rose, this place is perfect for growing rhododendrons and azaleas. Here, in St. Petersburg they do not grow wild as well.
      Thank you!

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  21. Trips like this are always so inspiring for a gardener. I have decided to attempt to grow some azaleas and it is comforting to know that they do just fine in Finland. I love the rustic twig arch at the end of the post.

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    1. Some species are enough hardy in climate of Finland and in our as well.But not all azaleas! You might check before to buy them.
      Thank you, Jennifer!

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  22. It looks like you had a great trip, Nadezda! Your photos are just gorgeous!! Especially love the path with blue little flowers. It reminds me of fairy tale, Hansel and Gretel:) Thank you for sharing!

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    1. You remember this tale! I liked the path with forget-me-nots and I immediately took picture.
      Thank you, Keity!

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  23. Welcome Nadezda!
    I'm sorry that I wrote long time.
    I'm very busy lately. I'm going back home very late.
    Arboretum is a place that I really like.
    You have shown me in a great place.
    It is very beautiful.
    Regards:)
    Lucia

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    1. Lucia, it's OK, I understand we all have many things to do. I love this Arboretum as well.
      Thank you!

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    2. This arboretum is one of my favourites in the world - and luckily I live quite close to it. Here is two links for your readers, if you don't mind, Nadezda.
      In english:
      http://www.mustila.fi/en
      In russian:
      http://www.mustila.fi/ru

      There is also a public park in Helsinki with huge Rhododendrons growing like in wild. It is found in Haaga city district. I could send you couple of pictures from there if you like.

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    3. Thank you, Olli. I will write you in your Google + account, add me as your friend.

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