Our first panel base greenhouse

Pollyanna Wilkinson, one of the UK’s leading garden designers, chose Alitex not just for our reputation, but for the way our greenhouses blend effortlessly into their surroundings. She was looking for something that would feel like a natural continuation of her garden, rather than a purely practical addition. “The Alitex greenhouses have such a timeless elegant feel, something that sits beautifully within the garden instead of competing with it. I wanted a space that complemented the landscape, and Alitex completely understood that. Their craftsmanship and attention to detail sealed the deal.”

She selected a Hidcote with Wainscot base in bronze; a colour choice she made with absolute certainty. “Bronze is one of my absolute favourite colours to use in the garden – softer than black and with a richness that always complements surrounding planting so beautifully. It was never a question for me. I also have a very contemporary charred timber studio nearby, so the bronze works beautifully with this.”

Once installed, Pollyanna wasted no time bringing the space to life. “Lovely old terracotta pots full of herbs, and loads of seed trays! I have never had so much as a little lean-to greenhouse before, so the desire to get seed sowing was STRONG.” But it wasn’t just about gardening. Her greenhouse has also become a peaceful retreat. “The feeling of escape. I go in, turn on a podcast and just potter – and I feel totally cocooned. I use it to escape my children! Joking. But also not joking – it’s a wonderful sanctuary when I want some peace.”

Her Wainscot structure is the first of its kind. Instead of a traditional brick base, Pollyanna opted for a sleek panel base that better suited her contemporary setting. “It’s the first of its kind! Rather than a brick base, it has a panel base which I wanted as it sits very close to a very contemporary garden studio which would have jarred with the more traditional brick base. The clean lines work so beautifully.”

The greenhouse has quickly become a central feature in the garden, both visually and practically. “It’s become the heart of the garden, really. It’s the focal point from the house and within the garden and has meant I can grow for far more months of the year.”

Pollyanna has been gardening for around 18 years, starting with tomatoes on a balcony and evolving into a full-blown passion. At the moment, she’s nurturing seeds from her cut flower collection, including scabious and cerinthe, with more varieties to come as light levels improve. Chillies and broad beans are already in. Every year, she returns to favourites like sweet peas, courgettes, tomatoes, ammi majus and cosmos.

Her advice for anyone considering an Alitex greenhouse is simple and enthusiastic: “Go as large as you can! While greenhouses are first and foremost for growing (and there is never enough space when it comes to plants if you are anything like me!), they are as much a sanctuary as a productive space, and a large structure allows for you to add furniture so you can use it as a place to spend time alone or with loved ones, as well as to potter.”