Buildings and Structures

Glasshouses

Princess of Wales Conservatory

Named in honour of Augusta, the Princess of Wales who founded the Gardens, and Diana, Princess of Wales, who opened the Conservatory in July 1987, this glasshouse has 10 climatic zones, ranging from arid to moist tropical, under one roof.

The hot and humid area contains mangrove swamp and riverine habitats displaying vegetation such as the giant Amazonian waterlily and the water hyacinth, which is renowned for clogging waterways. There are also several useful plants originating from the wet tropics, including banana, sugar cane, cassava and pineapple.

In contrast the arid zone houses plants tolerant of desert conditions, particularly cacti and other succulents. Many of these plants, such as Aloe vera, myrrh, sisal and prickly pear are also useful to man. Displayed elsewhere in the conservatory are orchids, ferns, savannah and cloud forest plants, as well as carnivorous species and representative vegetation from endangered island habitats.

In the pools fish are thriving. Tanks containing leaf-cutter ants, poison-dart tree frogs and other animals demonstrate how these creatures interact with the plants around them.

• Download information sheet on the Princess of Wales Conservatory (Adobe Acrobat pdf 553K)

• Some of the plants found in the Princess of Wales Conservatory:

  • Bananas

  • Ginger

  • Pineapples

  • Epiphytic orchids

  • Orchids

• Ground plan

• The Princess of Wales Conservatory is number 32 on the visitor map.