A hardwood orangery is an elegant and versatile extension to your home, adding extra living space. However you intend to use your orangery, greenery can make it more attractive and inspiring all year round. Here are some tips for growing small trees in your orangery.
Embracing the original purpose of orangeries
Orangeries were originally designed to grow citrus fruits in cooler European climates, and the earliest designs were in the form of separate garden rooms in grander homes with large grounds.
Some examples of these buildings can still be found today; often they have classical or ornate designs, and served as a status symbol as much as a functional horticultural space.
As better heating and glazing techniques evolved, such as underfloor hot water pipes and ventilation systems, orangeries became popular additions for homes with private gardens to grow exotic species, and also to entertain and socialise.
The large windows allowed guests to enjoy pleasant views across the garden, as well as the beautiful plants within.
How the purpose of orangeries evolved
By the 19th century, the increase in the availability of imported citrus fruits during the winter meant that there was less pressing need for glasshouses as growing rooms.
However, they continued to be fashionable, and also more affordable as the cost of glazing reduced. The modern model of the orangery evolved, which is typically an extension to the home rather than a standalone building.
The emerging middle class sought orangery extensions to create more living space in urban homes, and they remain popular for this purpose today. The construction of orangeries is usually a combination of hardwood, stone or brick and double or triple glazing.
Tips for growing small trees in your orangery
Light and humidity
Adding indoor plants to your orangery provides a connection to the historical purpose of the building, and can help you to enjoy the beauty of nature all year round. The plentiful amount of natural light in the orangery means that it’s easy to grow a wide variety of plants. You could of course grow citrus trees, and other small trees such as fig trees and olive trees.
Good ventilation is important to ensure that there is a healthy air flow, and the atmosphere does not become too stale or humid. You may wish to include some openable casement windows in your orangery design, and thermostatically controlled roof vents that are designed to open and close when a certain temperature is reached or the weather is wet.
Solar control glazing is also useful to prevent the space from overheating during the summer or losing heat too quickly in the winter. If you want to grow tropical and subtropical plants in your orangery, it will be necessary to keep the temperature at around 10 to 15 degrees during the wintertime.
Underfloor heating is ideal for creating consistent warmth, because it retains a certain level of residual heat even after the heating is switched off. Double or triple glazing will help to conserve heat and improve energy efficiency.
Types of tree to grow in your orangery
Citrus trees such as orange, lemon and lime are of course popular choices, providing a pleasant fragrance, attractive flowers, and fruits that can be very useful for adding extra flavourings to food and for drink garnishes. Citrus trees thrive in sunny positions, so they are ideal for south-facing orangeries.
If you want to grow large delicious oranges to eat, then a Valencia tree is the perfect choice. However, these will take up quite a lot of space, so they are best suited to larger orangeries. If you have a smaller orangery, you could always grow dwarf varieties that will be easier to manage.
Another great choice for smaller spaces is the Citrus Madurensis Calamondin. This is an evergreen shrub with dark glossy leaves that produces pretty white flowers in the spring and summer. It is slow growing and will eventually mature into a larger tree.
Bear in mind that if you grow a citrus tree from seed, it will take around six or seven years to reach maturity and bear fruit. However, you can buy more mature citrus trees from nurseries if you don’t want to wait this long. If you live in the warmer southern parts of the UK, your citrus tree can live outside during the summer months.
It will be necessary to keep it inside the rest of the time. Citrus trees prefer slightly humid conditions, so be aware of the temperature and ventilation in your orangery. During the winter, water plants sparingly. It’s best to use rainwater if possible, because tap water has added chemicals that are not ideal for plants.
Alternatives to citrus trees
Cherry trees are a great alternative to citrus trees if you prefer sweeter fruits! They also produce attractive and fragrant white or pink blossoms during the spring and summer months. Slyvia varieties are suited for indoor environments and will not take up much space.
Palm trees will thrive in most orangeries, particularly species such as the Kentia or Parlor. They also prefer slight humidity, and it may be beneficial to stand them on a tray of damp gravel and mist their leaves with a water mister from time to time.
Fig trees are another popular choice for orangeries, because they tend to thrive in well lit conditions, although avoid direct sunlight. They have striking shapes with attractive glossy leaves, so they are ideal if you want a focal point to add year round greenery. They are sensitive to draughts, so ensure that your orangery is well insulated.
Cacti and succulents
OK, so these are not trees, but if you have a smaller space, or just do not have the time for more high-maintenance plants, then cacti and succulents are great choices.