Spring is a time for chirping birds, rain showers, and emerging flowers. In northern parts, the snow melts, the weather gets warmer, and people begin spending more time outside. Spring in Norway is quite similar. Some years it comes early and some it comes late. By May though, flowers are blooming, natural waterfalls are everywhere from the melting snow, and Norwegians are out and about. It is also said that smiles get wider during the spring in Norway. The best place to experience the joy of spring is in the Norwegian fjords.
The spring flowering in Norway is a sight to behold and one that has drawn visitors for as hundreds of years. In Hardanger, Norway, the fruit trees start flowering in May. Trees such as plum, cherry, and apple fill the hillsides and join the fresh, pure spring air in the fjord. Not only do the fruit trees provide a wonderful smell, but all of nature is also in bloom and gives a pop of color and a delicious fragrance. Seeing the Sognefjord, Nordfjord, or Geirangerfjord in bloom between April and the end of June is said to be an unforgettable experience.
Although fjord country is known for its magical spring bloom, areas outside of it also have unique spring offerings. North of the above-mentioned fjords, one can experience the meadows of daffodils in Gossen. The daffodils were brought over from Europe by a minister in the 18th century and have continued multiplying. An exotic spring awakening can be enjoyed on the island of Sør-Hidle at Flor & Fjære. They feature 50,000 annuals, as well as palm trees and banana trees thanks to the mild climate there.
Not only do visitors enjoy the beauty that spring brings in Norway, schoolchildren in Norway also have a spring ritual of picking wildflowers. It provides them with a fun, educational opportunity to enjoy nature and bask in the fresh air.
As spring nears this year, wherever you may be, take a moment to step outside and consciously enjoy the colors, smells, and sights that the new season brings.