Greenhouse ideas: From Victorian glasshouses to compact options for small gardens
For the enthusiastic gardener, a greenhouse is a must-have, enabling you to take care of your tender plants in the winter and sow seeds in the early spring. Their history in the UK stretches back to the 16th century, when orangeries became popular for sheltering citrus plants from Spain, but glasshouses truly took off in the 19th century once industrial advances made it much cheaper to produce glass. No longer was the ability to grow (then) exotic fruits and plants restricted to the rich – suddenly, any member of the middle class with the space could recreate balmy climes in their back garden.
The Victorian period saw the golden age of the glasshouse (picture the botanical houses at Kew Gardens or the monumental Crystal Palace, which tragically burned down in the 1930s but is immortalised in photos from the era); many of the loveliest designs on the market these days hark back to Victorian originals. A restored Victorian greenhouse makes for quite a special and characterful addition to your garden. There is a huge range of options out there, starting with affordable, ready-made options that you can buy and assemble on a pre-prepared concrete base, to bespoke greenhouses that can cost tens of thousands of pounds and which will perfectly dovetail with the space you have in your garden.
And speaking of space, even if you have a small garden, chances are you can find space for a greenhouse; they come in sizes from just six feet wide, although eight feet is better if you want to put worktops on both sides. Traditional greenhouses are rectangular in shape, but you can also buy lean-to versions that can be situated against a wall, or charming octagonal shapes that might fit better into a tricky space. Generally, greenhouses are made from timber or aluminium; the former is more expensive but better at retaining heat, and can also be accompanied by a half-wall in brick at the base.
The glazing of the greenhouse also determines its price and functionality. Horticultural glass is the cheapest available; it’s 3mm thick and arranged in overlapping patterns, but it’s hard to clean and when it breaks, forms large, dangerous shards. Toughened glass is more expensive but safer. You can also buy greenhouses with polycarbonate panels instead of glass – this is cheaper and lighter, and doesn’t break, but doesn't have the same aesthetic appeal of glass panes and it can pop out in strong winds.
You’ll also want to make sure your greenhouse has ventilation panes, as they can easily overheat in summer. Typically you’ll find ridged ventilation panes in the walls or door, or the roof should come with panes that open manually or automatically.
When siting your greenhouse, it’s traditional to orient the ridge east-west, maximising the amount of light you get in winter, though this is not essential. If you live in a garden where strong winds prevail, make sure the gable end of the greenhouse (the strongest part) faces the wind. Stay away from sloping ground when positioning your greenhouse, and also keep clear of overhanging trees.
Buying a greenhouse
The greenhouses we feature on our pages are some of the most beautiful in the world, and if you have the space and budget, it’s always best to go bespoke with one of the beautiful options made by Alitex, who make greenhouses for the National Trust, or Hartley Botanic, who partner with the RHS. For ready-made greenhouses, we love the range at Rhino Greenhouses, which start at around £1,000 and come in a brilliant range of sizes and colours. John Lewis’ small range of timber greenhouses, made with Crane Garden buildings, is also very charming.