Susanne Masters visits a new prove that celebrates the orchid in all its formsThe orchid that launched a thousand ships has crinkled brown and yellow petals. On seeing it,the Duke of Devonshire became so obsessed that he built a greenhouse the size of an acre, burning 300 tonnes of coal each winter to carry heat via seven miles of pipes to preserve his collection of orchids. Growing plants in greenhouses and displaying them in their homes was a way of showing status for the Victorians; the Duke of Devonshire was just doing this on an epic scale, and commensurate with his wealth and his enthusiasm for orchids.
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Source: theguardian.com