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Conservatories

 

historic image of people in Victorian garb viewing water lilies outside of brick conservatory

Origins

Built in 1882, the Linnean House is an example of a late-period Victorian orangery. Originally used to house citrus and other cold-sensitive plants during the winter, orangeries became popular with the upper classes in Europe and the United States. As the Age of Exploration (the early 15th to the mid-18th century) brought access to new plants, orangeries evolved to exhibit unusual and exotic specimens, as well as other non-hardy plants.

The Linnean House is the only remaining greenhouse at the Garden that was built during Henry Shaw’s day. It was designed by noted architect George I. Barnett, as were its two “sister” greenhouses in Tower Grove Park, the Palm House and the Plant House.

The Linnean House is named in honor of Carl Linnaeus, the “father of taxonomy,” a Swedish botanist, physician and zoologist who laid the foundation for the modern scheme of binomial nomenclature. Marble busts of Linnaeus and fellow scientists Thomas Nuttall and Asa Gray have adorned the conservatory’s south-facing façade since 1883; the pediment ornaments were the first sculptures in the Missouri Botanical Garden’s collection.

Learn more about the history and evolution of the Linnean House on our blog, Discover + Share. 

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brick conservatory interior with stone fountain and potted trees

An Historic Renovation

In conjunction with the Gateway to the Garden campaign and the creation of the Jack C. Taylor Visitor Center, the Garden commissioned Michael Vergason Landscape Architects (MVLA) and Arbolope Studio to freshen the interior of the Linnean House while keeping the structure rooted in its Victorian origins. 

Notable upgrades include new trellises added to the north wall that will allow for a display of climbing plants without harming the historic brick. New botanical wall panels create a stunning artistic element, showcasing plants with historical connections to orangeries and examples of species important to the Garden work, displayed in the style of Victorian ironwork. Custom Wardian cases and two display cases showcase unique artifacts that tell the story of botanical collecting in both 1882 and the modern era.  

 

Living Collections

The living collections in the Linnean House feature traditional conservatory plants, such as tropical fruits, palms, cycads, ferns, succulents, and cacti. It also includes plants from subtropical regions in Asia, Australia, and the Mediterranean, along with plants showcasing the Garden's past and current global work. 

The camellia collection in the Linnean House dates to the 1920s. Today, it remains part of displays featuring plants from subtropical regions in Asia. Camellias, native to parts of China, Japan, and Southeast Asia, belong to the tea family (Theaceae). They have been cultivated for thousands of years for their economic value.

While Camellia sinensis and its cultivars are the sole source of true tea, people use other species for food, medicine, and ornamentals. Gardeners value camellia flowers for their beauty, with peak blooms from winter to early spring. A third of camellia species are threatened, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to protect these beautiful and valuable plants.

 

Yellow Chrysanthemum blossom surrounded by green foliage in brick conservatory interior