Birthday
HydrangeasGreenhouses are places where the tropics bloom in the middle of a northern winter: palms under glass vaults, orchids in the mist and water lilies the size of cartwheels. Many are masterpieces of 19th-century glass-and-iron architecture. Here are the world's most beautiful greenhouses, their history and the best time to visit, plus where to see tropical gardens in Kyiv.
From orangery to glass palace
The first orangeries appeared in Europe in the 16th–17th centuries to overwinter citrus trees, hence the name. They were stone buildings with large south-facing windows; one of the best known is the Orangerie at Versailles, built in 1684–1686. The golden age came in the 19th century, when glass and cast iron became cheaper. Gardener and architect Joseph Paxton built a glasshouse at Chatsworth for the giant Victoria water lily, which first flowered in England in 1849, and then used the same principles for the famous Crystal Palace of the 1851 Great Exhibition. Read about the lily in Victoria giant water lily.
Famous greenhouses on the map
1. Royal Greenhouses of Laeken, Belgium
This complex of glass pavilions and galleries, covering about 2.5 hectares, was built in 1874–1895 for King Leopold II to designs by architect Alphonse Balat, with the young Victor Horta, later an Art Nouveau master, also working on it. The greenhouses stand in the royal estate and open to the public for only about three weeks in April–May, when azaleas, camellias and fuchsias bloom. Tickets sell out fast.
2. The Palm House at Kew, UK
The Victorian Palm House at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, was built in 1844–1848 by Decimus Burton and engineer Richard Turner. Inside is a humid tropical forest of palms, cycads and cacao. Kew Gardens is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it was here in 1889 that the titan arum first flowered in cultivation; see the largest flowers in the world.
3. The Eden Project, UK
This environmental complex in Cornwall opened in 2001 in a former china clay pit. Its giant hexagon-clad domes were designed by architect Nicholas Grimshaw. The Rainforest Biome, the world's largest indoor rainforest, has bananas, rubber trees and a waterfall, while the Mediterranean Biome grows olives and grapes.
4. Como Park Conservatory, USA
The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in Saint Paul, Minnesota, opened in 1915 and is considered one of America's most beautiful Victorian glasshouses. Its pride is the Sunken Garden, where themed flower displays change several times a year: lilies for Easter, chrysanthemums in autumn and poinsettias at Christmas.
5. Winter Garden, Helsinki
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This glasshouse in the Töölö district opened in 1893. It grows palms, cacti, camellias and roses, and admission is free, so locals come to warm up and enjoy the flowers during the dark winter months. In summer a rose garden blooms outside.
Where to see the tropics in Kyiv
Kyiv has its own glasshouses. The Fomin Botanical Garden in the city centre was founded in 1839, and its historic greenhouses of palms and succulents are among the oldest in Ukraine. The Hryshko National Botanical Garden has a glasshouse complex with tropical and subtropical plants, including a rich orchid collection. Check opening hours before visiting, as greenhouses often keep separate schedules and run guided tours.
Tips for visiting greenhouses
- Dress in layers: tropical houses are hot and humid, and glasses and cameras fog up instantly, so give your gear a few minutes to acclimatise.
- Come in the morning: there are fewer people, and many flowers open in the first half of the day.
- Look out for seasonal shows of orchids, tulips or chrysanthemums.
- Do not touch the plants: many tropical species are poisonous or spiny.
For a touch of the tropics at home, choose an orchid or exotic plant from our orchid catalogue.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an orangery and a greenhouse?
Historically, orangeries were stone buildings for overwintering citrus, while greenhouses were structures for growing plants. Today both words are used for any glass building housing exotic plants.
When do the Royal Greenhouses of Laeken open?
Once a year, for about three weeks in April–May.
Which greenhouse is the most famous?
The Palm House at Kew and the Eden Project in Cornwall are among the most visited.
Can I visit greenhouses in Kyiv?
Yes, at the Fomin and Hryshko botanical gardens.
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Author: Maria Svitlovir
Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.
