Conservatories were first introduced in the UK to enable landowners to grow citrus fruits that required warmer climates. Now, hundreds of years later, they remain a great asset for green-fingered enthusiasts, allowing them to cultivate plants, fruits and flowers that would otherwise not survive the British weather.
So, what are the best things to grow in your traditional conservatory?
Lemon trees
Citrus trees thrive in warm temperatures, which is something we see rarely in the UK. However, thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows, conservatories are able to trap in heat and benefit from plenty of sunlight that helps them to grow.
That is why lemon trees are great for these extensions, particularly if you mist them regularly to keep humidity levels high, plant them in pots with lots of drainage holes so they do not get waterlogged, and apply fertilisers every few weeks.
This will allow homeowners to enjoy the fresh scent of their blossom and, hopefully, their delicious tangy fruit during the height of summer.
Cacti
Again, as conservatories get warmer than anywhere else in the house, they are ideal for plants that require hotter climates to survive, such as cacti.
There are plenty to choose from, including mammillaria, which is suited to both heated and unheated orangeries, as they can withstand temperatures as low as 5C.
Cacti are notoriously easy to look after, as they do not require much watering, so are a good choice if you are not the best at keeping up with your plant maintenance.
Lapageria
This beautiful tropical plant from Chile is a great choice for British conservatories, as they can handle extremely cold conditions like -5C.
Gardeners’ World recommends using ericaceous soil to keep the plant thriving, and putting it in a shady corner of the conservatory so it is not subject to too much sunlight.
Bougainvillea
If you want to fill your conservatory with plenty of colour, opt for bougainvillaea. These love sunny, humid conditions, but need some shade during the peak of summer.
The best way to enjoy this Mediterranean plant is to fix wires on the conservatory wall, so the tall stems can climb all over, adding bright colour to the interior decor.
Sarracenia
Sarracenia, otherwise known as pitcher plants, are a great choice if you have a south-facing conservatory that gets plenty of sunlight. This is because they love the sun, so put them in areas of the room that see the most heat and brightness.
They also need plenty of water, so stand them in a tray of rainwater that is constantly replenished.
Beaucarnea recurvata
As well as having lots of colourful flowers in your conservatory, you might want some greenery. In fact, sun rooms feel like extensions of the garden, so add lots of overhanging trees to enhance this.
The beaucarnea recurvata, or ponytail palm, is a great choice, as it can handle dry conditions. Other tropical plants, however, need more moisture in the air, which can be hard to recreate in the UK, particularly without the high temperatures of exotic countries.