About 40 miles south of Copenhagen is Paradehuset, an orangery on the palatial grounds of Gisselfeld Castle, in the town of Haslev. Designed in 1876 after the Crystal Palace of London's Great Exhibition and partially destroyed by a hurricane about 15 years ago, the greenhouse was completely restored in 2010.
Under the operation of garden designer and local TV personality Stig Lauritsen and landscape architect Greg Korbett, the conservatory still houses orange trees—as well as agapanthus, orchids, and 50 kinds of geraniums. Think of it as Scandi-tropical meets Queen Victoria:
Photographs by Tina Brok Hensen via Clemmenson and Brok, unless otherwise noted.
Above: The entrance to the Johan Daniel Herholdt-designed glass house. The south-facing longitudinal facade makes the most of the limited Nordic sunlight.
At the urging of his English wife, estate owner Christian Conrad Sophus, the Count of Danneskiold-Samsoe, built the architectural marvel in 1876 (heavily inspired by the Crystal Palace unveiled during London's Great Exhibition). Photograph via Poppins' Garden.
Above: Tropical species in urns and aged terra cotta—and the fragrance from 50 varieties of geraniums—greet visitors.
Above: Sandstone fountains, olive trees, camellias, and myrtle are also in residence.
Above: Stig Lauritsen, who operates a garden design business on the premises, is available to take visitors on a guided tour. For schedules and booking information, email the Orangery. Photograph via Havefolket.
Above: Potted orange trees bask in the sunlight.
Above: Picking fruit is not allowed despite strong temptation.
Above: A French drain, decorative in addition to being functional, runs down the aisle of the brick floor.
Above: The greenhouse nursery also cultivates some of the same plants grown in the castle in the mid-1600s.
Above: Galvanized watering cans and terra cotta pots report for duty.
Above: Mark your calendar: the park's 2015 opening date is March 28. Admission fee is 35 DKK. For information and visiting hours, visit Gisselfeld Kloster. Photograph via Gisselfeld Kloster.
Planning to holiday in Copenhagen? See more of our favorite spots for garden and design lovers:
- A Fairy Tale Garden in Denmark
- Shopper's Diary: Blomsterskuret, the World's Most Beautiful Flower Shop?
- An Insider's Guide to Copenhagen
- A Fashion Designer's Color-Blocked Cafe in Copenhagen
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