Roses out, olives in: the new English garden in a time of climate crisis

Oxford Botanic Garden is 400 years old, but the climate emergency is forcing a review of what seeds it sows for the future

It has survived for 400 years - the oldest of Britain's botanical gardens, a haven of medicinal plants and ancient trees enjoyed through the centuries by famous names such as JRR Tolkien and Lewis Carroll. Yet after the Oxford Botanic Garden's anniversary today things may look substantially different in future, due to the impact of the climate crisis on British weather.

We have to consider very carefully what we plant for the future," said Prof Simon Hiscock, the garden's director. Particularly so with trees, because you have to think of not just a few years but in some cases hundreds of years ahead.