| |
History of Orangery
By Charles Turner
The word Orange made its first appearance around the 14th century, a term derived from Sanskrit. At the same time the Portuguese traders introduced the fruit Orange to Europe, as a take-home present from India. These oranges from Asia rapidly took the place of the bitter variety that was grown around that time.
With the popularity of the fruit, actual cultivation of the trees is the next logical step. The Italians first constructed the earliest orangeries. The first European Botanical Gardens was established in 1544 at the University of Pisa, and the following year an orangery was constructed in Padua. These initially constructed orangeries have no indoor heating, and so fires were started inside to warm the edifice during particularly harsh winters. With the advent of the Age of Exploration, protected gardening and orangeries truly began.
Orangery as fashion began in Holland, and the English nobles eagerly adapted it. Merchants had already begun importation of orange trees together with other citrus fruits from Southern Italy following the reign of peace at the end of the 80 years war in the year 1648. As these plants are hard-pressed to survive a Northern European winter, the ability to cultivate and nurture an orange tree is an excellent indication of the status of the owner. Gardeners sought ways to protect these plants, and the innovative orangery gave the perfect answer.
Orangeries, though intended for the oranges and other citruses, soon housed all styles of exotic plants. They became famous as a status symbol among the wealthy. Cost of maintenance of this rare collection of plants alone was very expensive.
Orangeries built to offer protection to these exotic yet fragile plants employed a distinct architecture. A plethora of tall windows rested on brick walls were built on the side facing south to take advantage of the warmth offered by the afternoon sunlight. The side facing north was solidly built as protection against the wind and the cold. Sloping tiled roofs replaced simple roofs, and as knowledge increased, this too was replaced by glass roofs.
Insulation was the main reason for the health of the most fragile plants. Buckwheat shells were also used to cover walls and shutters. Sprit stoves and other heaters warmed plants grown in tubs made of wood during the cruelest of winter.
The decorative element of the orangery became more important during the nineteenth century. Orangeries were built near homes and they became closely related to landscape and garden designs, with the actual structures more ornately decorated. And with the increase of knowledge, glasses were also incorporated in the orangery designs of today.
About the Author
By visiting the author's website at - http://www.oakconservatories.co.uk you will find useful information for about oak hardwood conservatories. Learn more about history of orangery - http://www.oakconservatories.co.uk/portfolio/orangery.htm
Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/37071.html
| If you wish to add the above article to your website or newsletters then please include the "Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/37071.html" as shown above and make it hyperlinked. |
| Some other articles by Charles Turner | Celsius Glass and Hardwood Conservatories
A new kind of material is being used for glass in hardwood conservatories. It is called Celsius Performance Glass which is a new type of coated smart glass. ...
Key Facts about the Oak Tree
The Oak Tree is Considered to be one of the most significant and magnificent trees in the whole world. In all ...
Conservatories and Building Regulations
Building a conservatory may require various permissions from the local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales. The two types of permission ...
Conservatories and Planning Permission
A conservatory is a distinct man-made structure built for the purpose of housing a variety of botanical wonders foreign to that particular locality. Traditionally ...
Hardwood Conservatory Key Facts
There are many options when considering building a hardwood conservatory. The types of hardwood used can significantly affect not only the aesthetics but also the longer-term durability. A cheap hardwood conservatory could last for less ...
History of the Conservatory
Before we begin to delve into the history of conservatories, we should know what a conservatory is in the first place. One of the modern definitions is 'A building that is attached to ...
|
|
| |
|
|
|
