Citrus trees, and in particular orange trees, bring to mind romance. Their fragrance and fruit conjure up memories of sunny holidays, ambling along the avenues of some southern city, thick with the scent of orange blossom. Or perhaps they remind you of your favourite period drama, where lovestruck ladies take a turn around the orangery in empire-line dresses, casting longing glances at the handsome gentleman through the glossy foliage? Indeed, according to Google data, there was a clear spike in searches for ‘orangery’ and whether or not an orangery extension would require planning permission after Bridgerton aired in 2020.
The orange trees first imported into Britain in the late 16th century were Seville oranges, the bitter fruit a key ingredient in the eponymous marmalade. As time and technology moved on, bigger…
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The Simple Things (Digital) - 1 Issue, March 2024