Gardens and Lifestyle: Hartley Botanic launches new Victorian inspired Greenhouses and water butts at Chelsea Flower Show, London

As temperatures rise and sunny days approach, we all look forward to spending more time outdoors. Even when the weather is unpredictable, it's wonderful to have a place to relax while staying dry and enjoying the garden. With the opening of London's RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024, there are plenty of inspiring ideas and examples to enhance our English summer experience

At the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, exhibitor Hartley Botanic, located at Trade Stand No. 142, is  is launching a new range of four contrasting greenhouses, all set against an inspiring yet traditional Victorian English garden theme, reflecting the growing demand for grander Victorian glasshouses.

The Victorian Manor, measuring 8 meters long and 4 meters wide, is the largest glasshouse Hartley Botanic has ever brought to the flower show. This grand structure reflects a growing trend for larger, more opulent Victorian-style greenhouses among customers. Designed for entertaining, it features a partitioned workspace and a built-in storage area. Celebrating the opulent English gardens of the Victorian era—a period known for pioneering gardening "under glass"—the Victorian Manor Glasshouse showcases simple elegance with a minimal material palette. Romanticizing traditional English gardens, the planting overflows with vibrant colors, spilling over paths. The design's structural simplicity includes a formal hedge, topiary, two feature multi-stem trees, and paths leading into each glasshouse.

Tom Barry, CEO of Hartley Botanic said; “Achieving an elegant and traditional garden aesthetic is an aspiration for many customers, and often a driving force in their decision to invest in a luxury Hartley Botanic Greenhouse. The Victorians certainly knew how to create beautiful and opulent planting schemes and we see customers recreate this look in their Greenhouses today, especially those within our Victorian range.

Nearby, a Patio Glasshouse on display is perfect for small gardens and balconies. The Wisley 8 Grow and Store Greenhouse, part of the Heritage Range, features a practical partitioned internal storage area. This greenhouse, with a historically-inspired design based on an original Hartley Botanic model, is powder-coated in bronze.

The Opus Glasshouse in dark bronze is the most contemporary structure on display, featuring concealed engineering and expansive glass-to-ground windows that maximize light and architectural style.

Powder-coated in dark bronze, the Opus is filled with colorful orchids. Reflecting quintessential Victorian opulence, the vibrant orchids are complemented by non-flowering plants such as ferns. Visitors will embark on a tropical journey through this glasshouse, immersing themselves in the striking vibrancy of the orchids on display.

A newly launched range of elegantly designed water butts is making its debut at the trade stand. These handmade aluminum water butts, available in both large and small sizes, feature a unique design that combines a clean shape with curved legs, offering a refined and stylish finish.

The 2024 Hartley Botanic trade stand has been designed by Landscape Architect Rachel Sampson (BA(Hons) Dip. CMLI) and built and planted by Stewart Landscape Construction.

All images from Hartley Botanic.