After you’ve bought an orangery, how about growing some oranges?

It seems a bit daft really, you’ve bought an orangery, so why not grow some oranges? Although orangeries can be the perfect solution to adding much needed space to your home, the climate within them can be perfect for growing the popular citrus fruit, and it is definitely simpler than you think.

Orangeries, although they sound exotic, are in reality just conservatories which have been blended into the structure of a home, with a lantern style roof and floor to ceiling windows. Orangeries originate as far back as the 17th century, as the answer to growing tropical plants that need heat. They were the ultimate symbol of prestige and wealth, and were used as a place to sit with guests, as well as show off. Larger orangeries even had exquisite features such as fountains, something which is less common today, but nevertheless a wonderful talking point!

Growing oranges sounds like a lot of hard work, but you will be surprised as to just how easy it is. You don’t need a tropical climate, or a special method, just the willingness to persevere. In fact, you don’t even need to limit yourself to just growing oranges; an orangery can be used to grow any citrus fruit, from lemons to limes, to even Kumquats.

When buying plants for your orangery, it’s best to opt for smaller plants due to the space available. Good plants to look out for are Calamondin Orange, Kumquat, Meyer Lemon and the Key Lime. All of these stay relatively small in size, yet still produce a large amount of fruit. They are easy to grow and look after, and will make fruit all year round.

Growing citrus plants in plant pots will make them easier to look after, as well as easy to move around and rearrange. Make sure you allow space for each plant to grow and receive maximum amounts of sunlight. It is also key to grow citrus plants in warm, dry and humid conditions for best results. Humidity is easy to achieve, try placing bowls of water around your plants to create more water vapour in the air.

So why not try your hand at growing citrus fruit in your orangery? It’s simple and will create a great talking point, as well as bringing your room to life.