Even in the South, stepping into a greenhouse in winter is an exercise in hope and solace. As JoHannah Biang, the horticulture manager at Hills & Dales Estate in LaGrange, Georgia, says, “It’s a reminder that things are still growing and blooming and that spring will come again.” Visiting a glasshouse or conservatory is also a visual way to learn from the pros, whether about rare orchids or tropical plants that can thrive in Southern heat, or how to layer the textures of shrubs and perennials in garden borders. Travelers to these seven standout greenhouses across the South can soak up some plant know-how and sneak in a little warmth, too.
THE GILDED AGE STUNNER
Biltmore
ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA
Frederick Law Olmsted didn’t design many conservatories, but when his friends the Vanderbilts came calling about their Biltmore Estate, he teamed up with the architect Richard Morris Hunt and took on the project with his characteristic gusto.
