Horticultural Society of Iceland

Frakkastígur 9

101 Reykjavík

                    Iceland

Tel: +354 552 7721

+354 896 9922

E-mail: gardurinn@gardurinn.is

 

                    

 

 

Our office, at Frakkastígur 9, 101 Reykjavík 

 

Garðyrkjufélag Íslands 

 

 

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The Horticultural Society of Iceland is a society of gardening and environmental  enthusiasts and is open to all.  Membership is currently about 2400.  Established in 1885 and among the oldest active societies in Iceland, this organization has from its inception aimed at encouraging and enhancing horticulture, gardening, and the utilzation of plants.

 

The Horticultural Society of Iceland has been a driving force behind horticulture in Iceland, and its many offshoots include most active professional and commercial organizations relating to horticulture.  In additon to building on a tried and true foundation, the society has a progressive contemporary agenda that seeks to promote and enhance awareness of gardening and the many uses of plants.

 

Overview of the primary roles of the society:

 

Publishing

  • Garðyrkjuritið (The Horticultural Journal)  is the society’s annual, published since 1895, containing noteworthy and informative articles.
  • Fréttabréf Garðurinn (The Garden Newsletter) is a quarterly containing updates on the society’s activities.
  •  Other publishing activities include the production of books such as Hvannir (Angelicas), Rósir (Roses), Matjurtabókin (Kitchen Gardens), Skrúðgarðabókin (Decorative Gardens), Sveppakverið (The Fungus Primer), and Garðurinn – hugmyndir að skipulagi og efnisvali (The Garden - Concepts for Organization and Plant Selection).

 

Workshops and Tours

  •  Workshops are held regularly during the winter months

 

  • The media: The society has for many years overseen both radio programs and the newspaper columns ‘Flower of the Week’ and ‘Gardening’ in the daily Morgunblaðið.

 

  •  The society has participated in horticultural exhibitions in Iceland as well as attending others abroad.

 

  • Garden Tours are an annual event during which selected gardens are open to society members for a weekend in July.  A special spring event is sometimes held as well.

 

  • Garden walks in various locations throughout the country are held regularly on Wednesday evenings from spring through autumn, offering guided tours of plants and gardens both in and outside urban areas.

 

  • Workshops and tours both in Iceland and abroad are offered from time to time, and society members also have an opportunity to participate in tours organized by foreign horticultural societies with which the Horticultural Society of Iceland has ties.

 

Seed Catalogues and Orders

  • The society publishes a special order list for autumn and spring bulbs, which has proven popular with members anxious to try new varieties.  Stores have then added these to their inventories when they have been tried successfully.
  • An annual seed list of 1000 varities is published for members, who in turn collect, clean, and submit seed from their own gardens.

 

Clubs

  • The Rose Club  works to increase the growth and knowledge of roses.  Click here.
  • The Summer Cottage Club’s objective is to promote horticulture on cottage properties.
  • The Kitchen Garden Club aims to promote the growing and utilization of herbs and edible plants.
  • The Florist Club works to increase  knowledge of flowers arrangement and cut flowers.

 

Services

  •  The Horticultural Society of Iceland has an office at Frakkastígur 9 and sponsors a large website at www.gardurinn.is  Inquiries are answered when possible or referred to professionals with specialized knowledge.  The society also has an extensive library of books to which members have access.