Horticultural projects in the Glasshouses
Preparations for our 400th anniversary
On the 25th July 2021 the Botanic Garden will celebrate its 400th anniversary and 400 years of plant sciences at Oxford University. Before lockdown, we were particularly busy in the Glasshouses, preparing for the 2021 celebrations. With help from our volunteers, colleagues in the collections team and the University Parks staff, we undertook several horticultural projects.
Trials of day-flowering tropical waterlilies entered their fourth year and this summer we shall be growing Nymphaea ‘Tina’, N. lotus and N. ‘Ruby’ alongside other more established waterlilies. We also plan to cultivate the beautiful and barbed Euryale ferox this year having found a seedling in the tropical pond in January.
After a wait of more than 20 years, the sub-tropical forest has had its soil replaced. Fundamental to creating glasshouse displays is providing optimum growing environments with excellent soil conditions.
A two-layer substrate, specifically developed for Glasshouse display conditions, has been used. We have trialled this elsewhere in the Glasshouses and are delighted with the growth response of the plants.
Kate Pritchard
Glasshouse Curator
Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum
Learn more about the Glasshouses at Oxford Botanic Garden
