The definition of when spring starts is debated, with the Met Office choosing the start of March and the astronomical definition this year applying on the 20th. That means it is now spring by any definition and the days are set to get longer and warmer over the next few months.
While the delights of spring can be sampled outdoors as temperatures rise, new blooms flourish and the cricket season starts, conservatories can also be a great place to spend a warm, sunny afternoon. They can be made even more pleasant by the presence of some delightful spring plants that thrive in the micro-climate created by a south-facing glass sun trap.
Gardeners’ World lists a number of these. Examples include the pink delights of Lampageria, Mandevilla and Bougainvilla, fly-catching pitcher plants, the pastel tones of Hoya and Plumbago, the bright yellow and navy blue of Strelitzia and any number of succulents.
Conservatory Land offers some similar recommendations, with Mandevilla and Bouganvilla on its list too, as well as various ferns and ivy. It, too, notes that cacti and succulents do very well in this kind of microclimate, enjoying warmer and more consistent temperatures – as well as the absence of stiff winds and heavy rain – than hardier outdoor plants are subjected to.
The key point to note is that if you are simply looking at the options for a Conservatory now, it will be too late to have one in place to enjoy these spring blooms this year. But by looking around at what is growing on other conservatories, you can get lots of inspiration for the future.
This also applies to the design too. By looking around now, you can see just what looks great on a nice spring day and make informed decisions about the scale, materials and other elements, as well as imagining how it will look with some beautiful and fascinating plants.