Bring the outside in

The best plants for conservatories, chosen by Tiffany Daneff

- Tiffany Daneff

MUCH as books clothe a room, plants bring warmth and life to conservatories and orangeries. Not only is there something much friendlier not to mention natural-about being surrounded by greenery, scent and colour, but they also address the problem of echoey acoustics.

Plants need to be positioned where they will thrive; some like it hot and sunny, others need shade and if you're inexperienced, stick with easy-going varieties that won't sulk. Visit a nursery that specialises in indoor plants where they will be able to tell you all you need to know about how to keep the plants healthy and happy. The plants will be better grown, too, and get off to a much better start.

There are plants to suit every kind of mood from elegant and minimal; go for greens with complementary and contrasting foliage to build up a tapestry of different tones and shapes and place them in simple statement containers. An exotic look is easy to create with large-leaved rubber plants, palms and bananas and add drama with colourful stippling, whorls and striations. Or start a collection of painted-leaf begonias, pretty streptocarpus or sculptural succulents. It won't be long before you are hooked.

A green tapestry