The University of Oxford Botanic Garden
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Founded in 1621, the classic 17th-century walled garden is the oldest in Great Britain. Funny fact: when they built it, they spent so much on the wall... that they had little left to buy the actual plants!
I fell in love with the garden's black pine tree that was planted in 1800, making it the oldest specimen of the species in Britain.
Apparently J.R.R. Tolkein was a fan of this magnificent tree, too.
THEN, you'd never believe what they have growing in one of their glass houses.... This:
It's a Victoria Lily, and it looks positively prehistoric — don't you think?!
LILY PADS in bloom
A patch of cheery poppies
For more on the history of the garden: http://www.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk/history-botanic-garden
Looking to balance out the glitz and glamor of the Côte d'Azur? Join me for a short stroll on the Cap Dramont, a coastal section of the stunningly red Massif de l'Esterel of Southeast France.