The glasshouses are home to many exotic and unusual plants that are not found in many places in the U.K.
This house has the most varied collection of diverse plants in a small space compared to other parts of the Gardens. The hot humid atmosphere most nearly simulates the conditions of the lowland equatorial regions of the tropics and the species grown represent the great variation of life forms which are characteristic of these habitats; trees, climbers, epiphytes -plants that grow on other plants for support, ferns, shade loving herbs and water plants. It has a minimum winter night temperature of 16C.
The Subtropical (Palm) House is the largest of our glasshouses, rising to 8m at the peak – a height sufficient to accommodate size-able trees including palms, tree ferns and a giant bird-of-paradise plant. In fact one tree fern Dicksonia x lathamii is unique to the gardens and the only one in the world! This house is kept at lower temperatures and humidity than the Tropical House. With a minimum winter night temperature of 13°C, it more nearly represents climates of subtropical regions.
This house preserves something of the atmosphere of a Victorian conservatory or Orangery. This early type of glasshouse was a popular feature of the houses of prosperous families in the last century. The central beds are planted with a wide range of citrus varieties. The left hand display shows a collection of Pelargonium (indoor geranium), ranging from the colourful hybrids used as summer bedding plants through to the wild species from which they all originated from South Africa and Australia. On the right hand side, a 70ft (21 metre) long display of unusual and colourful plants create a magnificent display every day of the year. This glasshouse has a minimum winter night temperature of 10c, similar to the Mediterranean.
A glasshouse for plants from climates with low, irregular rainfall but also for plants of dry locations such as cliffs, deserts or tree branches. This house is allowed to follow ambient temperatures except for low-level heating in times of frost. Water is given about three times weekly in summer, reducing to zero between October and March. Plants range from tall cacti and succulents from Central America to drought tolerant shrubs like mimosa and bottle brush from Australia and living stones from South Africa. This glasshouse has a minimum winter night temperature of 7C.