You want to end up with a well-proportioned conservatory that is fit for
purpose. Inevitably, this means sacrificing part of your garden, but hold
tight to your goal of creating a structure that, through good design,
provides an effortless link between inside and out.
“A conservatory will reduce your garden’s footprint,” says Brendan Day, head
of design at Apropos, who has been building glass structures for 50 years.
“But don’t forget that with glass there’s a lot of growing to be had. A
conservatory could meet your planting needs just as well, if not better,
than your garden space.”
Choose furniture, size of planting beds and accessories (eg staging, large
containers) at the design stage. These dimensions will determine the final
proportions and internal floor layout and help to ensure that the best views
are incorporated and that the natural light will be a plus, not a hindrance.
As for architecture, the obvious choice is to echo the style of your home. Yet
contemporary conservatories alongside period homes are increasingly popular,
often making minimal impact. Indeed, for this reason English Heritage often
recommends contemporary glass structures for listed buildings.
3 Aspect
A south-facing aspect may seem the obvious choice to ensure year-round sun,
but the sun’s rays become magnified and can burn through glass. Also, air
becomes hot and dry, an environment that no plant (or person) enjoys, and
which also encourages pests and disease. Blinds will be an essential
addition.
“Some of the nicest buildings I’ve experienced, in terms of lovely, breathable
atmosphere and comfortable sociable space, are on the north sides of
people’s homes,” advises Lisa Rawley, of conservatory plant specialist Fleur
de Lys.
4 Glazing
A conservatory relies on its glass to operate to capacity. Solar-controlled
glass can help minimise the temperature of the room and control glare. In a
north-facing conservatory, low-emissivity (low‑E) glass will reduce heat
loss.
Architecturally speaking, lanterns and coloured glass can create interest, but
Nick Bashford, a director of glasshouse and conservatory specialist Alitex,
advises against fussy effects or, for example, replicating the details of
your property’s windows.
“Keep things simple,” he says. “A conservatory is essentially a glasshouse in
its own right, not an extension of your house. Aim to ensure complete
transparency whilst inside looking out. Neutral glass won’t reflect
furniture, to allow a clear view, and a wonderful link to the landscape
beyond.”
5 Ventilation
To ensure a comfortable atmosphere, you need a well-designed ventilation
system.
“We have so few truly hot summer days in this country that air-conditioning
isn’t necessary, but to control overheating a good ventilation system is
crucial,” says Nick Bashford. “Roof vents are essential in releasing a
build-up of hot air. Low-level air can be drawn through doors or low vents,
with hot air rising naturally to be released through roof venting to provide
a cool, moist atmosphere enjoyed by people and plants.”
Ventilation can be operated manually, but automatic systems are perfect if you
are a frequent traveller, or like me, become forgetful when basking in the
garden on rare sunny summer days.
6 Heating
The temperature to which you heat your conservatory is perhaps the most
crucial decision in terms of how you will use it. Your choice is not just
about people – temperature dictates the plants that you grow. Heating a
conservatory year-round to the same temperature as your house
(59-70F/15-21C), will limit your plants to the tropical spectrum, eg palms,
ficus and schefflera.
Unheated conservatories are ideal for overwintering citrus and
borderline-hardy plants, such as Jasminum polyanthum, so creating a fragrant
winter garden. Kumquats, pomegranates and aspidistra would be happy, too, if
you keep some fleece to hand.
Maintaining a minimum winter temperature of 50F (10C) allows the greatest
choice of plants. “Mediterranean plants are happy at this temperature and
will probably flower year-round,” says Lisa Rawley. “Succulents too. The
best family of succulents that I’ve come across for conservatories at this
temperature are kalanchoes, with the most magnificent flowers.”
Conservatories can be heated by a host of methods – fan, convection, even
water. Underfloor heating is perhaps the least intrusive, but rules out
wood, rubber or vinyl flooring. Some root systems will not tolerate being
placed on a heated floor. One solution is to heat only the middle section of
the floor leaving the edges free to accommodate plants in pots.
7 Watering
It is a good idea to include an external tap for easy watering. Though
tempting, an irrigation system is difficult to tailor to plants’ individual
needs. Hand-watering gives you more control.
Water also adds much-needed humidity to the atmosphere. The best way to add
humidity is with a canopy of plant foliage, which continually releases H₂O
into the atmosphere, but a pool will help with this – and add atmosphere of
a different kind. In a watering crisis, they can also be used as a plunge
pool for plants.
8 Hort practicalities
Flooring materials must be able to withstand leaks and spillages. Continuing
your exterior paving is not only practical, but unifies the transition from
inside to out.
Tiered plant stands can be designed into the layout to give plants maximum
light so that growth is plentiful and healthy.
Planting beds that meet the soil beneath the conservatory floor will allow
plants to thrive. Lisa Rawley recommends a minimum bed width of 8-10in
(20-25cm). “Plants won’t dry out so quickly and with their roots free to get
down into the ground can mature without too much trouble,” she says.
9 Plants
Plan plants at the design stage. Invest only when you’ve matched the plant
with the conditions they’ll be expected to live in. Then consider bloom:
“Most flowers naturally want to face east or south,” says Lisa Rawley. “This
means that very often in a south-facing building all your blooms look out of
the windows, away from you. If planted on the back wall of your structure,
they’ll still be facing out – but you’ll be living in front of the bloom and
have the best view,” Call in an interior plant specialist, such as Fleur de
Lys or Interior Garden Design, for advice.
10 Planning regs
Generally, most conservatories are within permitted development rights, so
long as certain size and height conditions are met. If you live in a
conservation area, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, national park or a
World Heritage Site there are further conditions. Visit the planning portal (planningportal.gov.uk)
for the full list of conditions or check with your local authority.
Many specialist conservatory designers and manufacturers will deal not only
with design, manufacture and installation, but also any planning permissions.
USEFUL CONTACTS
Alitex (01730 826900; alitex.co.uk)
Apropos (0800 328 0033; apropos-conservatories.com)
Fleur de Lys (01798 839048; conservatory
plants.co.uk)
Indoor Garden Design (020 8444 1414; indoorgarden
design.com)
Glass and Glazing Federation (020 7939; ggf.org.uk)
*Ann-Marie Powell is a garden designer (ann-mariepowell.com)
Read more: Britain’s best conservatories to visit
Read more: Before and after: conservatories
transformed by Lisa Rawley
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