Tucked away in the lee of Magdalen Bridge is a quiet oasis – The University of Oxford Botanic Garden. This venerable institution is the oldest botanic garden in Britain. It began 380 years ago when Sir Henry Danvers donated £5,000, roughly the equivalent to £3.5m today.

Unfortunately so much was spent on building the grand walls and arches that by 1633 all the money had gone and there was nothing left to pay for the running of the garden. But the lavish walls remain untouched and they enclose the garden like a velvet glove protecting a whole range of plants including one of my personal favourites – Clerodendron trichotomum var. fargesii. This scented shrub, which was introduced from China by the Abbé Farges in 1898, spans part of the west-facing wall. An autumn jewel, with creamy scented flowers held in maroon-pink calices, followed by bright-blue berries.

Danvers idea was to set up a physic garden for “the glorification of God and for the furtherance of learning” in an age when plants were used medicinally. But today the conservation of plants and sustainability are key issues, together with education.

With this in mind Tom Price, the Keeper of Hardy Collections, has utilised four beds beyond Danver’s walls for a new project – a vegetable, fruit and herb collection.

The space previously housed a 1950s rose collection, which had reached the end of its life, and a 1920s collection of tall bearded irises. The latter are safely planted elsewhere and The Plant Heritage Collection Holder has also received one of each variety thus conserving them for the future.

Last winter, the empty beds were double dug, despite the freezing temperatures, and enriched with cattle manure provided by the Harcourt Arboretum’s herd of cows. Hazel stakes were also cut from the arboretum and now they support runner beans and brassica nets. The botanic garden consulted landscape architect Kim Wilkie, who studied History at Oxford, about creating a contemporary role for the historic garden.

So modern varieties were chosen, many for their colourful appeal. The yellow beans, purple-podded peas, purple kale ‘Redbor’ and the purple cauliflower ‘Graffiti’ have all been admired. These thrived on the alluvial soil close to the river – but the glut of runner beans has almost over faced everyone. The vegetable beds have proved very popular with the public and they are kept in excellent order by Alison Quantrell.

The four areas are divided between legumes (ie peas and beans), roots, brassicas and alliums, rotated on four-year system to discourage diseases and pests. Next year, insect-attracting annuals and fruit will be added. But the vegetable beds are not just for show. The early potatoes were planted and harvested by children from Hagbourne School. Since then 5,000 schoolchildren have found out more about where their food comes from and how to grow it.

The produce is also being harvested by organisations including hospices, charitable trusts and day centres – bringing more visitors into the garden, something Louise Allen, the Curator, encourages greatly.