Five thousand plant species. That’s what awaits you within the walls of the University of Oxford Botanic Garden. Can you imagine the sheer diversity?
Welcome to the oldest botanic garden in Great Britain. Established in 1621 it wasn’t just a pretty place. It was a physic garden a vital center for medicinal research. Imagine the learned men and women studying the healing powers of these plants. They were pioneers in their field. Their work laid the foundation for modern medicine.
Henry Danby the 1st Earl of Danby had a big hand in the Garden’s creation. He contributed a massive sum of money over five million pounds in today’s currency. His generosity created a place where knowledge and beauty flourished. The Danby Gate at the entrance stands as a testament to this generosity. This early Baroque masterpiece is a sight to behold. It survived the English Civil War. It features statues of Charles I and Charles II. This ornate arch stands as a beautiful reminder of Oxford’s rich history.
The Garden isn’t just old. It’s incredibly diverse. It boasts over 90% of the higher plant families. Its compact size makes it one of the most diverse collections globally. You’ll find plants from all corners of the world. From the sunny Mediterranean to the arid landscapes. The collections include Euphorbia stygiana. This rare plant has only ten remaining in the wild. The Oxford Botanic Garden is working hard to save this species. They are propagating it to prevent its extinction.
The glasshouses are just as fascinating. There’s the Conservatory with seasonal flowers and the Alpine House with plants unable to thrive outdoors. The Fernery showcases diverse ferns. In the Tropical Lily House the tank is the oldest glasshouse part. It was constructed by Professor Charles Daubeny in 1851. Here you’ll see water lilies including Nymphaea x daubenyana. It’s named after Daubeny himself. The Palm House is the largest. It houses many economic plants like citrus fruits and coffee. The Arid House shows plants’ adaptations to dry environments.
Beyond the glasshouses more wonders await. The Walled Garden houses plants arranged by botanical family. The medicinal beds are educational. They focus on plants used to treat different diseases. The Herbaceous Border shows off classic English perennials. Then there are the Merton Borders a sustainable gardening marvel.
The Garden has inspired literary greats. Lewis Carroll and JRR Tolkien spent time here. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland owes inspiration to the garden. Tolkien’s Ents seem inspired by the Austrian pine that sadly fell in 2014. Evelyn Waugh and Philip Pullman also mention the Garden in their works. Even today the Oxford Botanic Garden’s charm remains. It’s a place where history botany and imagination intertwine. A place where five thousand stories wait to be discovered one plant at a time.