This lush painted garden covered the walls of a semi-subterranean chamber; probably a cool triclinium (dining room) for summer banquets; in the suburban Villa of Livia Drusilla; the wife of Augustus.This Second style fresco; the most ancient example of continuous garden painting (30 - 20 BCE); presents a variety of plants and birds rendered in a naturalistic way.Many are the botanical species identified: in the foreground; the umbrella pine; the oak; the red fir; beyond a marble enclosure grow apple quinces; pomegranates; myrtles; oleanders; date palms; strawberry trees; laurels; viburnums; holm oaks; box trees; cypresses; ivy and acanthus. In the meadow under the trees bloom roses; poppies; chrysanthemums and chamomile; while along the footpaths in the foreground; ferns alternate with violets and irises.National Roman Museum - Palazzo Massimo alle Terme; Rome; Italy.