Tropical Display – Glasshouse

*Tropical glasshouse will be closed until further notice due to hail damage.

There are a huge range of plants to explore in the tropical collection: from botanical giants such as the King fern (Angiopteris evecta) and Titan Arum (Amorphophallus titanum), to the colourful and diverse orchid and bromeliad families.

A great way to uncover the many plant stories in the tropical collection is to take one of our self-guided walks. Simply pick up a brochure at the entrance and follow the numbers to discover more about one of three themes: Botanical Marvels, Plant Evolution or Vital Plants.

• Key plants
• Curator notes
• History

Key Plants

Bulbophyllum fletcherianum Tongue Orchid

Striking orchid from Papua New Guinea with strap-like leaves to 1m.

Stanhopea wardii Upside Down Orchid

A striking and beautifully perfumed orchid that flowers down through it’s growing media.

Ceratozamia mexicana Mexican Horn Cone

A large cycad from Mexico, and is threatened in its’ native habitat.

return to top

Curator Notes

1. As all the plants are grown in pots the re-potting is continuous.
2. The minimum temperature is 16C and the humidity is usually 70% or higher.

return to top

History

• 1900s - The West half was built in the early 1900s, and the tiles are part of the original floor.
  
• 1960s - The East half was built on in the 1960s, and the heating was converted from coal to oil at the same time.
• 1990s - In the early 1990s the heating was then converted to natural gas on which it still runs.
  

return to top