Gardening trends 2018 - Landesgartenschau in Bad Schwalbach

Are you planning to build a new garden or just looking for an inspiration to make small changes in the current one? Visit the Landesgartenschau (State Garden Show) in Bad Schwalbach and get plenty of new ideas.

This year is definitely my year of gardens. I visited already plenty of Botanical Gardens and rose gardens. Going to Landesgartenschau brought it to another level.

Every year different cities in German lands organize Garden Shows. One of them is in Bad Schwalbach, which is a spa town in Taunus, 20 km from Wiesbaden (Hessen, Germany). Just in Hessen, there are around 30 spa towns!

To rich Bad Schwalbach, I took a direct bus from Wiesbaden Main Station. It takes around 45 min and the ticket is 4,9 euros. Schedules and prices you can find on RMV website. Since it is a big project for the land, I could easily find a detailed information on which lines go there at the bus stop. In Bad Schwalbach exit at Kurhaus – that’s where the main entrance to the garden is.

As a typical resort town, it has a Kurhaus and a Kurpark, spa house and spa park accordingly. Garden Show took over the whole Kurpark and completely modernized it.

This edition of the display focuses on an ideal garden, relaxation, garden architecture and current trends.

First of all, the entrance to the park is not really cheap – 17 euros for adults. But if you come with the whole family you can get a much better deal.

I expected beautiful flower designs, but in reality was so much more. In this place, you can find something for both – your body and your soul.

Something for your body

1. Discover water’s healing power

Entering the Kurpark I was welcomed with the glass of spring water. Ladies in aprons served it from silver trays and I could drink as much as I wanted. The flavor was not amazing but I was trying to focus on its health benefits.

Close to the entrance were souvenir shops, with maps, tourist guides, plants and garden decorations. You could also buy a straw hat to wear it during the walk in the park.

2. Outdoor activities and relaxation

One part of the park is completely devoted to sports. Whole families can have fun playing football or baseball. A mini golf area looks like a green valley.

After some activity or longer walk, you can sit in a sunbed or hammock, relax and embrace the nature around you.

3. Food

To refill batteries take a break for an ice-cream or glass of local wine. Hungry? Try typical German sausages – currywurst or flammkuchen.
You can also bring your own snacks and sit at one of the picnic areas. Variety of restaurants ensures everyone is satisfied.

Something for your soul

1. Flowers and animals

No flowers – no garden. So all the walking paths were beautifully decorated with different plant species. Another interesting part of the exhibition were modern garden designs. Everyone could enter the arranged small gardens, sit inside and get a sketch of the garden plan. My favorite motive this time were glass decorations, which reflect light. Not only gardens but also balconies were presented. Also the little ones could paint and decorate the flower pots.

At the other side of the park at animal farm people were taking photos of sheep and cows, but also learning how bees produce honey or even hoe to cut wood. Hence, everything to make a better usage of the nature around us.

2. Music

Live concerts are a perfect complement to this garden experience. And I was fortunate enough to go to one concert and listen to another while waiting. The main event was a performance of the Fools Garden. They played some old hits like the Lemon Tree and songs from the newest album too.

The completely different style was presented by the Sound Combination, who specializes more in tribal music with drums. Both were included in the ticket price.

3. Church of Light

This is an ecumenical project which brings together people of different religions. Everyone is welcomed to participate in services, prayers, and concerts. During the day you can talk to some friendly people who run the community or just sit for a bit of contemplation. However, in the evening hours, it changes into another garden exhibition object with colorful illuminations.

You can visit this show only until 7th October 2018. The city of Bingen is celebrating 10 years since they organized Landesgartenschau and there will be a special event taking place on 12th-14th October.