Hortus Croomensis
In 1824 William Dean, who was the Botanic Gardener at Croome, published a book with the catchy title ‘An historical and descriptive account of Croome D’Abitot, the seat of the Right Hon. The Earl of Coventry with biographical notices of the Coventry Family to which are annexed an Hortus Croomensis, and observations on the propagation of exotics.’
Within the book there is a descriptive walk through the ‘Pleasure Grounds’ where he describes the Temple Greenhouse …..
’A few steps onward bring us to the Temple..... It is a handsome stone building; open in the centre, and closed at each extremity, where two interior rooms, of good size are formed. Its front is a supported by Doric pillars. In two niches, one on each side, are figures of Ceres and Flora: and in the centre, near the summit, is a Basket of Flowers, extremely well carved. This building being closed up, in front, with glass windows, is used as a greenhouse in winter: and when these are removed, it becomes an agreeable summer apartment. From the Temple there is a fine view of the house, which, here, appears seated at the extremity of a sweet retiring vale..... And all this, it must be remembered, to the praise, skill and perseverance, was once a flat and a marsh’.