Bay of Finland Garden

Set within forty meters high pine and spruce forest near the Bay of Finland, this one-hectare garden evokes both the natural habitats of northwestern Russia and the nostalgic character of Soviet-era dacha gardens. The design draws inspiration from alvar meadows — thin-soiled, limestone grasslands found in Sweden, Finland, and Estonia, renowned for their vivid wildflower diversity. In the St Petersburg region, similar landscapes emerged in the 18th century, when forests were cleared to quarry limestone for the construction of the new imperial capital, St Petersburg. The alvar species were brought by animals and by the wheels of farmers travelling from today’s Lithuania to the markets of the growing city.

Conceived and planted during the pandemic, the garden comprises three main parts: the Forest Garden, where native woodland vegetation of bluberries and cowberries was restored under pines and spruces; the Meadow Garden, showcasing species from steppe and limestone grasslands; and the Babushka Garden, recalling the intimacy and abundance of traditional dacha plots, but with an alvar inspired meadow in the middle. Together they form a landscape where ecological resonance and cultural memory intertwine.

From The Contemporary Garden, Noel Kingsbury (Phaidon, 2025):
«Andreyeva’s own description of the garden can be taken as a lyrical guide not only to this wonderfully atmospheric space but also to the spirit of much contemporary naturalistic design: ‘the planting is cosmopolitan, combining native and non-native species chosen for their ornamental character, making for a joyful interaction.’»