When visiting the superb public gardens of

London. New York or Paris, it is hard to remember

that the magnificent palaces and cathedrals of

soaring glass that we so admire today began life as

simple mobile shelters for precious plants brought

back from the tropics. It was the nobility's taste for

exotic fruit that led to the creation of ever more

elaborate and extravagant greenhouses and conservatories.

The nineteenth century saw the expansion

of public gardens open to all, and the birth of such

ambitious creations as the Crystal Palace and Kew

Gardens in London. Today, the public greenhouse

plays a vital role in sheltering rare and endangered

species as part of breeding programs, while grand

creations like the Eden Project in Cornwall or

Montreal's Biodôme are paving the way to the

future.

The private greenhouse or conservatory,

although on a smaller scale, can be just as

enchanting. It is a place to relax, to be with

friends, to escape from the stresses of everyday

living. Take inspiration from this beautifully

illustrated book to create your own masterpiece,

big or small, modern or traditional. Whether

you have space for a separate greenhouse in your

own grounds or simply decide to roof over a

terrace or balcony with glass. Greenhouses and

Conservatories will help you make the best of

the space available.

Olivier de Vleeschouwer has written several

novels and stories for children, as well as gardening

books. He is co-author of Flower Arranging in the

French Style (Flammarion, 1998).