300 Years of Garden Art
The grounds of Egeskov Castle have been in constant transformation for over 300 years. Each generation of castle owners has left their mark on the garden, adding new idyllic oases and plants.
GardenThe History of
Egeskov’s Gardens
The garden at Egeskov continues to evolve today. Count Michael and Princess Alexandra actively contribute to the development of several garden areas in collaboration with head gardener Peter Bonde Poulsen.
Throughout history, renowned landscape architects have shaped Egeskov's grounds. The first major garden design was created during the time of Niels Krag "the Younger" in the early 18th century. Inspiration came from gardens near and far, including Frederiksborg, Fredensborg, and Versailles.
Characterized by Baroque garden artistry, Egeskov’s design featured elements such as a parterre at the end of a stone embankment from the 1700s. Spaces were defined by towering hedges of lime, beech, and hornbeam, some reaching over 8 meters high.
One of the estate's iconic landmarks—a labyrinth—was also constructed during this period, likely in the 1730s. Made from hornbeam hedges, the labyrinth included secret rooms for the entertainment and leisure of the estate's nobility.
In the late 19th century, modernization extended to Egeskov’s gardens under Countess Jessie Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille. Collaborating with Danish landscape gardener H.A. Flindt, the estate gained an English-inspired garden with free-standing trees like yews, gunneras, plane trees, and cypresses.
Egeskov opened to the public in 1962, under Count Gregers and Countess Nonni, who revitalized the Renaissance garden with the help of French garden architect Ferdinand Duprats. Later additions included the Herb Garden and Perennial Garden in the 1960s and 1970s, influenced by prominent landscape architects like Erna Sonne Friis and C.Th. Sørensen.
Head gardener Peter Bonde Poulsen, with nearly 30 years of service, has restored and enhanced key areas such as the Perennial Garden, the Fragrance Garden, and the Rose Garden. His efforts earned Egeskov the prestigious European Garden Award in 2012.
In recent years, Princess Alexandra has infused her artistic vision into the gardens, collaborating closely with Poulsen. Her contributions are detailed in her book, A Garden for Life, published in 2024 by Politikens Forlag.