Glasshouses

Theorangeriesandglasshousesthatstandinthegardensofmanystatelyhomeshelptotellathree-centurystoryofgardenfashion.Theyreflectboththearchitecturalandsocialtrendsoftheirtime，butaboveallshowanincreasingabilitytotailorthebuildingstotheneedsoftheplantswithin.StartingwiththeRestorationfashionforcultivatingpineapples，orangesandbananaswithinpalatialorangeries，FionaGrantthenexplainsthedevelopmentofglasshousesthroughtheeighteenthcenturyintotheheydayofdiversificationandspecialisationthatcharaterizedtheVictorianperiod，totheeventualdeclineofgreatglasshousesaftertheFirstWorldWar.Theroleoftheglasshouseasadisplayofstatusandofaninterestinbotany，technologyandarchitectureisexplored，andthebookiscolorfullyillustratedthroughout.