Alfred and Hélène spent their summers at Ruissalo, an island in the Turku archipelago. The family's villa was called Stefansberg and was owned by Alfred in the years 1882 to 1920. Moving out to Ruissalo was a big undertaking. They packed furniture and textiles and lived out at Ruissalo from May to September. Gardening was intimately connected with villa culture. Together with the gardener, Hélène planned and developed magnificent perennial flowerbeds.