Image with tulips
{extension.backgroundImageAlt}

Save 1/3 on RHS Membership*

Enjoy a year of free garden visits

Join now

Back

10 award-winning (AGM) plants for a conservatory

In the conservatory, where pot plants come and go with the seasons, it’s the shrubs and climbers which give the space its structure and play a significant role in establishing its character

If you have a conservatory, it’s important to choose wisely what you plant, especially since space for large specimens is bound to be limited. This curated selection, all winners of the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM), includes climbers and shrubs which are at their best across the seasons when grown under glass. With regular pruning, all these plants can be kept to a stem length of 2–3m (6 to 10ft), ensuring they remain attractive and within the desired space.

True blue

Grown in a pot, Plumbago auriculata can be moved outdoors in a hot summer.

Plumbago auriculata reveals blue flowers of such a lovely summer sky colour, making it a delight to see in the summer garden or conservatory. It’s a scrambling shrub, best tied in as a climber or grown in a pot and moved to the patio during summer. We recommend pruning it back hard in spring to neaten the plant and encourage more flowers. This plant requires a temperature above 0°C (32°F). Hardiness rating H2.

Stars in their multitude

Enjoy the sweet fragrance and visual impact of Trachelospermum asiaticum, indoors and out

Trachelospermum asiaticum is hardier than the other climbers recommended here, making it a good choice for an unheated sunroom. Its highly scented creamy flowers bloom among glossy leaves in summer and early autumn. This twining climber can be cut back in early spring and will be happy when moved outside during summer. It’s hardy down to -10°C (14°F). Hardiness rating H4.

Top tip! Water wisely

Trachelospermum asiaticum hates being cold and wet in combination, so hold back on watering as the temperatures drop.

Long-flowering appeal

The white, starry flowers of Stephanotis floribunda highlight its polished leaves

Stephanotis floribunda is another twining plant grown for both its fragrance and its colour. The waxy, 5cm (2in) white flowers open from spring to autumn among dark, glossy foliage. This species thrives in a more humid atmosphere than many conservatory plants and requires a temperature above 10°C (50°F). To keep it attractive, shorten the main shoots by half in spring, but avoid cutting back hard. Hardiness rating H1B.

Vision from above

The flowers of Passiflora x exoniensis catch the eye as they open up and nod downwards

Passiflora × exoniensis is an impressive hybrid passion flower that climbs using tendrils. It produces vivid, nodding rosy-pink 10cm (4in) flowers in summer and autumn. Conveniently, the flowers hang downward from the conservatory roof, allowing you to fully appreciate their beauty. These are often followed by 9cm (3.5in) edible, banana-like fruits. Passiflora × exoniensis needs temperatures above 1°C (34°F) and it’s happy outdoors in summer. We recommend trimming this climber in early spring to maintain its size. Hardiness rating H2.

Dramatic twiner

Growing Pandorea jasminoides in a pot encourages a greater number of blooms

Pandorea jasminoides produces fragrant, tubular white flowers in spring, summer and even into autumn. The blooms are stained magenta with pink throats and set among glossy, attractively divided leaves. It flowers most prolifically when confined to a pot. We recommend trimming this twining species after flowering to keep it manageable and maintaining a temperature above 5°C (41°F). Hardiness rating H1C.

Island dreaming

Take in the enchanting scent of Jasminum azoricum as it flowers in late summer
Jasminum azoricum is a Madeiran native that rewards you with 3cm (1 12in) white flowers that open from purplish buds. It blooms mainly towards the end of summer and its scent is delightful. This twining climber needs regular tying in but is relatively tough and will take 0°C (32°F) in winter. Trim lightly all around in spring, removing a few older stems completely. Hardiness rating H2.

 

Bring in the sunshine

Choose Hibbertia scandens for bright and cheerfuk flowers indoors

Hibbertia scandens is a vigorous climber with twining stems. Its bright yellow 6cm (212in) flowers – superficially resembling those of hypericums – sit among dark, leathery foliage in summer. The shoots need regular tying in to keep the plant manageable and attractive. It usually needs a temperature above 5°C (41°F) but can grow outdoors along the Cornish coast. Trim lightly after flowering. Hardiness rating H1C.

Intoxicating fragrance

Evergreen and free-flowering Gardenia jasminoides looks like a Camellia but with a rich, sweet scent

Gardenia jasminoides gives off a lovely fragrance from ivory-white flowers on a tidy, bushy shrub. The 8cm (3in) blooms appear singly or in small clusters at the tips of the shoots or in the upper leaf joints. They open over many weeks in summer and autumn among glossy, dark green foliage. It does best in temperatures above 5°C (41°F). Prune out any unsightly stems in spring if needed. Hardiness rating H1C.

Squeeze in citrus

Citrus x microcarpa is both attractive and productive

Citrus × microcarpa, otherwise known as calamondin, produces large numbers of small, 3cm (1 12in) orange fruits with sweet skin and tart flesh, providing a welcome contrast. Excellent for marmalade, the fruits can also be frozen whole as an interesting alternative to the humble ice cube. The fruits are preceded by fragrant white flowers in spring and summer. Keep your plant at a temperature above 5°C (41°F). Prune lightly in late winter. Hardiness rating H3.

Dramatic flowers

Brugmansia arborea ‘Knightii’ has flamboyant, trumpet-shaped ‘hose-in-hose’ flowers

Brugmansia arborea ‘Knightii’ is a bold, gorgeous and well-scented shrub that features large white flowers up to 15cm (6in) long, with one flower held inside another like a hose-in-hose primrose. Flowering from late spring right into autumn, it should be cut back hard in spring to prevent the plant from becoming too large. The plant is toxic if eaten, so be sure to appreciate this lovely selection with your eyes only. Hardiness rating H1C.

Save to My scrapbook

You might also like

Love gardening

Sign up to receive regular gardening tips, inspiration, offers and more

View our Privacy Policy

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.