Lancashire-based greenhouse and glasshouse manufacturer Hartley Botanic intertwines tradition with contemporary craftsmanship in its long-lasting and arresting structures. The company, founded in 1938, is thought to be the first to have used aluminium in its greenhouses, making a technically accomplished replacement for the wood and wrought iron structures favoured by the Victorians.
‘We handmake all our glasshouses in the north of England using the finest materials with unparalleled durability, safety, and beauty,’ says Tom Barry, CEO of Hartley Botanic. ‘All of the aluminium sections have a structural purpose. Short cuts, such as “sticking” aluminium to glass for aesthetic reasons, are never taken. We are confident of their structural integrity and offer a 30-year lifetime guarantee.’
The greenhouses the company creates are classified as Victorian design, Heritage, or Modern Horticulture, a category which encompasses minimalist and intricately engineered structures abundant with light. Bespoke and one-off designs are also available, with customers able to design greenhouses to their exact requirements, even if an urban garden is the only space at their disposal.
‘At Hartley Botanic we have continuous conversations with our customers that inform the introduction of new designs and styles,’ Barry adds. ‘Our highly personalised approach also serves the development of our products, it means we stay very close to what today’s Greenhouse owner is looking for, both practically and stylistically. Tradition plays a role in some of our designs – our Heritage range, for example, features silhouettes that were popular when the business was founded. But more importantly, our tradition is worked into our commitment to craftsmanship and service.’
The company has embraced all eras of design in its 80-year history, with its recent stand at the Chelsea Flower Show showcasing key designs from the decades. Structures on show included a vintage semi-dodecagon greenhouse built in the 1950s; a greenhouse nodding to the suburban design codes of the 1960s and 1970s; a 1990s Victorian terrace; and a modern-day structure defined by a clean form and hidden engineering. §
