The Victorian forcing greenhouse

The Victorian forcing house was used to 'force' plants into flower much sooner than they would achieve otherwise. They often had grow frames running alongside. These ensured plants needn't face the thermal shock of coming from a heated greenhouse before being planted straight into the ground. The grow frames provided a half way house between the two, for a few of weeks until the plants could be 'hardened off'.

Forcing houses took much of the risk out of gardening in the British climate, delivering more control for the gardener. They really came into their own during late spring and early summer. Victorian Head Gardeners could be far more certain of delivering glorious summer colour for the benefit of their employers irrespective of the prevailing weather beforehand. Summer colour could be guaranteed. Spring bulbs could be brought forward for an abundance of early colour. Plants such as Dahlias and Chrysanthemums could be started off under the controlled conditions of the forcing house before being planted outside for the summer to flower 'right on schedule'.