...at Oxford University Colleges
Balliol College
In a rather gloomy corner of the library wall, and overshadowed by an evergreen Azara microphylla tree, this Poncirus trifoliata is a tall, open and somewhat wispy-branched specimen. Part is growing up through a neighbouring Euonymus shrub. Probably never trimmed, it is amazingly different from the plants I photographed recently in Turin. Compare here!
When I visited in early May, the flowers were just opening, mainly towards the top, but clearly this is a large-flowered form. The plant was listed in the 1973 catalogue of Balliol College garden plants, so is probably over 40 years old. (The 2000 version of the catalogue is no longer on the college website, so I have made it available as a pdf download.)
Balliol's gardens are open to the public most afternoons, and are well worth inspecting for their diverse range of plants - many rarely seen in Britain.
Balliol's gardens are open to the public most afternoons, and are well worth inspecting for their diverse range of plants - many rarely seen in Britain.
Wadham College
This plant, with flower buds swelling, was observed during a visit to the 'Fellows Private Garden' in early April 2016. It is in the northernmost border, so gets plenty of sun.
Other Oxford Poncirus trifoliatas can be found at the Botanical Garden and in Headington Hill Park.
Page created 2nd May 2006, Wadham added 11th April 2016
Worcester added 8th October 2025
Worcester added 8th October 2025
Worcester College
The College's 26 acres of grounds feature numerous gardens and green spaces, a lake which is home to swans and ducks, an orchard, and the college sports fields.
It is only open to the public on special occasions or if you happen to live locally, but I managed to get myself invited in October 2025 following a warm, dry summer.
The Head Gardener showed me a large Citrus trifoliata (X on map) adorned with many large, ripe fruit. Two further plants were in a shady spot and not so prolific.
About 5m tall, the plant is beside a wall and partly protected by overhanging balconies. It was planted around the year 2009. As you can see it was even carrying some autumn flowers and unripe fruit from them.
It is only open to the public on special occasions or if you happen to live locally, but I managed to get myself invited in October 2025 following a warm, dry summer.
The Head Gardener showed me a large Citrus trifoliata (X on map) adorned with many large, ripe fruit. Two further plants were in a shady spot and not so prolific.
About 5m tall, the plant is beside a wall and partly protected by overhanging balconies. It was planted around the year 2009. As you can see it was even carrying some autumn flowers and unripe fruit from them.
