Tuesday 28 August 2007

The University of Oxford's Botanic Gardens

The University of Oxford’s Botanical Gardens was another place of interest that we visited during our recent trip. We found it very peaceful and tranquil.

Set within a garden of beautiful borders and stunning plant collections are seven glasshouses where plants from dry deserts to tropical rainforests can be seen. Alongside a 100 year old cacti and extravagant water lilies grow the plants that give us chocolate, sugar, coconuts, bananas, oranges, medicines and much more. Some of the plants even bite!

The Palm House is packed with tropical fruits and spices. The giant Victoria water lily has leaves big and strong enough to hold a baby. Hope you enjoy the photos.





















11 comments:

Susan said...

Beautiful!!! I had no idea water lily's grow so big. Made me think of Moses when I read what you wrote. Are the English Garden there so beautiful and lovely because of the climate or just the labor that is put into them?
Susan

Barbara said...

And I did enjoy your photos!! Visits to Botanic Gardens are always very interesting and one gets to know and see a lot of new plants...especially in Glass Houses where the plants come from all around the world.
Have a nice day!
Barbara

Unknown said...

It is so fascinating to see things that we never see here. Lovely!

Susan said...

Yes indeed my dear British friend, to my heart!!!!
Susan

Anonymous said...

Wow now that's a nice day out, love the last flower, amazing.

Willow said...

Those humongous lilypads amaze me. I saw some at Kew Gardens; I had never seen any before then. The bananas look like they're getting ripe. (When I lived in Indonesia, we had papaya, pineapple and banana plants. MMMMmmmm.) Oxford Botanical Gardens: another place to put on my visit list!

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

I always enjoy your photos! I wish I could put some of them on my desktop; I have several favorites that change every 15 minutes... Those lily pads are astounding. I saw some in person recently at the botanical gardens in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.

Tina said...

Hi Dear Barbara,

I love Botanical Gradens. Back in my hometown we have one that is a must go everytime we visit.
Your pictures are great as always.
Take care. x

Linda said...

Really lovely plants. I love Botanic Gardens.

Anonymous said...

You know I always feel terribly guilty when I think of the Botanic Gardens in Cambridge because despite the fact that I lived in Cambridge for 3 years and even walked passed one of the entrances everyday for a whole academic year I have never visited. It is on our list of things to do whilst in Cambridge last time we planned on visiting it poured with rain and we ended up in the childrens fav place in Cambridge, The Zoological Museum.

TBM said...

Barbara, I enjoyed your lovely tour of Oxford! I am so sad I missed the Botanic Gardens, however. I shall put that on my list for "next time".