Choosing conservatory plants
A conservatory is so much more than a greenhouse; unlike the latter, a conservatory is an extension of your living area and presents the perfect setting for hosting an afternoon tea party. It is also the ideal area for relaxation and meditation because you are always surrounded by your favourite greens. A conservatory combines the advantages and features of a greenhouse in terms of the natural lighting, ventilation, decor, furniture and temperature control with the therapeutic benefits of gardening from the comforts of your home complete with windows and other interior decor options.There is certainly no dearth of window types, furniture and floorings option to choose from. Among the most popular flooring choices for a conservatory is Terracotta which plays the role of a thermal mass, releasing heat at night. You can let your imagination run wild in you conservatory, deck it up with cane furniture, lay out a rug and some curtains, add a bookshelf to the setup or even a working desk and you should have the most relaxing working environment in your entire house.
Given the sheer number of people who now boast of maintaining their very own conservatories, it is not surprising to see a variety of plant flooding the market that can be used in this soothing area. However, most people wonder about the type of plants that they can grow in a conservatory.
Actually, since you will have a hold on the temperature and humidity, you can grow just about any plant that you like in your conservatory; from exotic orchids to fragrant citruses and from flowering creepers to majestic palms, just about anything can be grown in a conservatory. Here is a look at some of the most popular plants that are being used in conservatories across the country
Flowering conservatory plants:
Cannas: These plant are not only lend a riot of colours to a conservatory in the form of large flowers but also have ornamental leaves which look a lot like banana foliage. The plant grows to a height of 2 meters and will give flowers throughout spring and summer if given proper water, rich soil and a sunny spot. They can also tolerate a few degrees of frost s are an easy keep in winter as well.
Hibiscus: These plants will provide the most stunning and colourful flowers reminiscent of spring in a Mediterranean country, it's a very ornamental plant that thrives in a sunny, draught free spot. The pant can grow to a height of 2.5 meter and will bear flowers through out summer.
Jasmines: These are ideal for conservatories because you can use them as climbers as well and they bloom throughout spring and summer simply filling the space with the most enticing fragrance. The flowers are small and white and the plant needs quite a bit of sunshine and they cannot tolerate lower temperatures
Oleander: This is another popular plant seen all over southern Europe, the plant grows to a height of 2 to 3 meters if grown in a pot and the bears flowers in light and dark pink and white. It provides clusters of flowers through out summer and can survive winter if there is no frost but it does not provide edible offerings and is harmful if eaten.
Holboelia Latifolia: This is a twining plant that produces strong scented flowers and purple fruits. It needs fertile soil and part shade and can tolerate temperatures as low as -10°c
The edible conservatory plants:
The Passiflora: Commonly known as passionflower, the plant not only bears stunning flowers but also fruits that have fragrant and sweet pulp.
Myrtus ugni: This is plant is a connoisseurs delight with beautiful white flowers in summer and small fruits the size of black currant in winter that have a rich aromatic flavour characteristic of Moorish cuisine
The Citruses: There are several plants from the citrus family that are suitable for conservatories; some of the popular varieties are Meyer's lemon famed for its fruits that offer the true taste of lemon; Mandarins for their deliciously sweet fruit and the more traditional grapefruit and sweet orange.
Pomegranates: Known as Punica granatum, the plant can grow to a height of 7 meters but if planted in a pot, you can expect it to stay at 3 meters. The plant will need a sunny spot and well drained soil. There are several varieties of the species; ideally you should go for ‘Wonderful' a cultivar known to produce the most delicious red fruits.
Cymbopogon citrinus: Commonly called lemon grass; the plant can grow to a height of 1.5 meters and is known for its fragrant foliage and stems which form a part of several Asian delicacies.
Azorina vidalli: This plant is relatively small at just 30 cms but it produces the most delicious sweet tasting leaves, that are a treat for salad lovers. The flowers can also be used in salads and for garnishing.
Small and midsize greens conservatory plants:
Cycas revoluta: Also known as the sago palm, the plant is also known as the living fossil because it has been around since the Jurassic age. It is not a true palm but looks as good and grows to a maximum height of ten feet. It is important to not to crush the leaves against other plants or a wall to avoid out of shape bent leaf formation. The plant needs at least a few hours of sunlight and it makes a spectacular addition to any conservatory.
The bottle tree plant: This species has a characteristic thick trunk from which it derives the name. Known as Brachichyton, the plant can withstand temperatures as low as -8c. The plant can grow to a maximum height of 6 to 8 feet.
The Hawaiian Palm: This is a stunning, rare palm from Hawaii; the plant has a long history of almost reaching the brink of extinction but being revived by a few dedicated scientists.
As you can see, there are several conservatory plant options to choose from; however, it is essential to take care of these plants and ensure that they are given proper nutrition, water and sunlight.
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