If you've spent any time researching garden structures, you've probably hit a wall of inconsistent definitions. One website calls a building an orangery; another calls the same structure a conservatory or a greenhouse. The terms get used almost interchangeably in marketing copy, and yet they describe meaningfully different things. The orangery vs greenhouse question matters because the answer points to two distinct buyer goals — and choosing the wrong one means ending up with a structure that doesn't quite fit the way you actually want to use your garden.
This guide untangles the confusion by tracing where each design came from, what physically separates them, and which modern structures best fit each tradition. By the end, you'll know which type suits your space, your climate, and the kind of life you want to live in your backyard.
Where the Orangery Came From
The orangery has roots in 17th-century Europe, when wealthy estate owners began building heated structures to grow citrus and tropical fruit through cold winters. The earliest documented orangery was constructed in Padua, Italy, in 1545, and the form quickly spread across France, the Netherlands, and England. Versailles built one. So did Kensington Palace. These were not simply growing spaces — they were architectural statements designed to display wealth, taste, and access to exotic plants. Owners would lead visitors through them on garden tours as a kind of horticultural theater.
In the United States, the oldest known functioning orangery sits at Wye House near Easton, Maryland, dating from the colonial period. George Washington designed and built his own at Mount Vernon in 1787 — a Georgian-style structure with vaulted ceilings for air circulation and radiant heating from floor flues. It is still one of the largest buildings on the estate.
Where the Greenhouse Came From
The greenhouse, in its modern form, came later and from a different impulse. As advances in iron framing and plate glass production took hold in the 19th century, builders began constructing fully glazed structures designed primarily for plant production rather than display. Joseph Paxton's Crystal Palace, built in London in 1851, demonstrated what was possible with metal and glass at scale. The principles trickled down to smaller, residential structures, and by the late 1800s, the freestanding glass greenhouse had become a recognizable feature in serious gardens.
The cultural difference is worth noting. Orangeries were originally hybrid living-and-growing spaces. Greenhouses were workhorses. That distinction still shapes how the two structures are built and used today, even as the lines have blurred.
The Architectural Differences You Can Actually See
The clearest physical difference between an orangery and a greenhouse is the roof. According to Town & Country, an orangery's roof is less than 75 percent glass. The rest is solid — typically masonry, hardwood, or insulated paneling. A central glass lantern or cupola sits at the peak, letting light fall directly into the interior. At the same time, the surrounding solid roof improves insulation, supports lighting and ducting, and creates a stronger architectural presence.
Walls follow the same logic. Orangeries traditionally have solid lower walls of brick, stone, or hardwood — sometimes up to three or four feet tall — with glazed upper sections above. This solid base provides thermal mass that holds heat overnight, gives the structure a substantial appearance from the outside, and creates usable interior wall space for shelving, sconces, or decorative features. A greenhouse, by contrast, is usually fully glazed from floor to ridge, maximizing light penetration at the cost of insulation and architectural detail.
These differences are visible in the products carried at Mulberry Greenhouses. The Cathedral Greenhouse — with its dramatic central roof cupola and ornamental cresting — leans into the orangery tradition. A Victorian Greenhouse like the Royal Victorian VI 36 sits firmly in the greenhouse tradition, with fully glazed walls and a roof that prioritizes light over architectural mass.
Function and Daily Use
Beyond appearance, orangeries and greenhouses tend to be used differently. An orangery's solid construction and partial glazing make it well-suited as a hybrid space — somewhere to grow plants seriously while also entertaining, reading, dining, or working. Many owners install radiant heated floors, climate control, and proper lighting so the room functions as a true extension of the home. The original purpose — overwintering tender plants — still works, but the modern orangery often serves as a year-round room first and a plant space second.
A greenhouse, on the other hand, is built primarily for growing. Light transmission matters more than wall finish. Ventilation matters more than acoustics. A typical Janssen Greenhouse includes multiple automatic roof vents, lockable doors, and clear sight lines designed to support plant production through every season. You can certainly add seating and use it as a sanctuary, but the structure's bones are about prioritizing performance first.
Which One Is Right for You?
The honest answer depends first on what you want from the structure. If your primary goal is growing through the harshest weeks of winter, with leafy greens in February and seedlings starting in March, you want a fully glazed greenhouse with strong insulation — something like a Riga Greenhouse or a Livingten dual-pane glass model. These are workhorses optimized for plant production.
If you want a beautiful space that grows plants well and also functions as a sitting room, dining area, or studio, an orangery-style structure is the better fit. The Cathedral 15x20 is the closest match to a traditional orangery in the Mulberry catalog — its solid lower architecture, central cupola, and louver window provide both productive growing space and the kind of architectural presence that anchors a landscape. The Royal Victorian VI 46 lands somewhere between the two, leaning toward greenhouse but with the decorative detailing that makes it a feature piece in any garden.
Climate matters too. Orangeries traditionally suit cooler climates with cold winters, where solid-wall mass helps retain heat. Fully glazed greenhouses work well across a wider range of climates but require thoughtful ventilation and shading in hot summers — which is why Mulberry's premium greenhouses for sale come with multiple automatic roof vent and accessory shading options.
Find Your Perfect Greenhouse at Mulberry Greenhouses
At Mulberry Greenhouses, we'd love to help you decide which side of the orangery vs greenhouse choice fits your garden, your home, and your daily life. Whether you're drawn to the architectural presence of a Cathedral 15x20 or the productive purity of a Royal Victorian VI 36, we'll walk you through sizing, foundation requirements, and accessory options. Hence, the structure suits your space exactly. If neither standard option fits, ask us about our custom greenhouses for sale — we adapt sizing, finishes, and architectural details to match your goals. Check today's deals before placing your order — our promotions change monthly, and the right timing can save you significantly. We offer free curbside delivery to the contiguous US, military discounts, and a price match guarantee on every order. Connect with us today to learn more.