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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.