I have always thought that the National Orchid Garden is simply a small scale garden showcasing its collection of Orchids and probably not worth the price of a ticket to go in.
When I learned that Singaporeans enjoy free entry from November 2016 till January 2017, I decided to take the opportunity to check it out if it is really the "go one round and we're out" kind of small like what I had thought.
By the end of my visit, however, I realized that the National Orchid Garden is anything but small. With over 1,000 species and 2,000 hybrids, the Garden is the largest display of Orchids in the world!
When I learned that Singaporeans enjoy free entry from November 2016 till January 2017, I decided to take the opportunity to check it out if it is really the "go one round and we're out" kind of small like what I had thought.
By the end of my visit, however, I realized that the National Orchid Garden is anything but small. With over 1,000 species and 2,000 hybrids, the Garden is the largest display of Orchids in the world!
Crane Fountain
The Crane Fountain is the first thing I see after walking past the ticketing gantry followed by the Tiger Orchid Fountain below.
Tiger Orchid Fountain but the flowers are not in bloom
Moving on, I came to Burkill Hill - a colonial plantation style house built in 1868 which used to be the Director’s residence and was occupied by a succession of directors until 1969.
It leads to the VIP Orchid Garden where dignitaries get new Orchid hybrids named after them. Such Orchid diplomacy serves as a gesture of friendship to promote goodwill between Singapore and other countries.
Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi is the latest dignitary to have an Orchid hybrid named Papilionanda Aung San Suu Kyi in her honor.
It leads to the VIP Orchid Garden where dignitaries get new Orchid hybrids named after them. Such Orchid diplomacy serves as a gesture of friendship to promote goodwill between Singapore and other countries.
Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi is the latest dignitary to have an Orchid hybrid named Papilionanda Aung San Suu Kyi in her honor.
This Orchid was named after Baroness Margaret Thatcher,
then Prime Minister of United Kingdom,
during her visit to the National Orchid Garden in 1985
This Orchid was named after His Excellency Joaquim Chissano,
Former President of The Republic of Mozambique
on the occasion of his visit to the National Orchid Garden on 27 March 1998
This Orchid was named in honour of Princess Masako of Japan,
to commemorate the royal wedding with Prince Naruhito in 1993
This Orchid was named after His Excellency, Matti Vanhanen,
then Prime Minister of The Republic of Finland
on the occasion of his visit to the National Orchid Garden on 18 November 2009
This Orchid was named after wife of General Soeharto,
then President of Indonesia,
on her visit to the Singapore Botanic Garden in 1974
This Orchid was named after His Excellency, Jerry Mateparae,
Governor-General of New Zealand and Lady Janine Mateparae,
on the occasion of their visit to the National Orchid Garden on 07 July 2015
This Orchid was named after His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad,
Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait,
on the occasion of his visit to the National Orchid Garden on 20 July 2004
This Orchid was named after Mrs Laura Bush,
then First lady of the United States of America,
on the occasion of her visit to the National Orchid Garden on 21 October 2003
This Orchid was named after Madame Usha Narayanan,
Wife of His Excellency Kocheril Raman Narayanan,
then President of Republic of India,
to commemorate their visit to the National Orchid Garden on 12 November 2000
This Orchid was named after His Majesty King Letsie III,
King of the Kingdom of Lesotho,
on the occasion of his visit to the National Orchid Garden on 27 January 2010
This Orchid was named after His Excellency Major-General (Retd) Michael Jeffrey,
then Major-General of the Commonwealth of Australia,
on the occasion of his visit to the National Orchid Garden on 10 March 2004
This Orchid is named after His Excellency Ban Kee-moon,
Secretary-General of the United Nations and Mrs Ban Soon-taek
on the occasion of their visit to the National Orchid Garden on 23 March 2012
Leaving the VIP Orchid Garden, I saw this beautiful tree beckoning to me from a distance. I hastened my steps towards it but was disgusted by what I saw up-close.
The tree was completely covered with name carvings!
The tree was completely covered with name carvings!
A Caucasian woman asked is this a special tree for
couples to carve their names so that they will be together forever? I
told her as a matter of fact that it is plain vandalism.
An awkward silence ensued.
Heritage Orchid Display
According to the SBG website:
Singapore has been a centre of orchid breeding from the 1930s. Some early hybrids have left important footprints in the world of orchids and have become part of Singapore’s floral heritage. They are hybrids that have been internationally awarded, have become important in the cut-flower trade or have been named after historical figures. Some are important as breeding stock for many of today’s hybrids.
Orchidarium
According to the SBG website:
Tucked in a quiet corner of the National Orchid Garden, the Orchidarium holds the Gardens’ species collection. Here, species orchids are displayed in a naturalistic rainforest setting with a splashing waterfall as backdrop.The Orchidarium is a stimulation of the natural orchid habitats of lowland tropical rainforests. These are orchid species that mainly originates from the tropical lowlands of Asia, Americas and Africa. This display is part of the Gardens’ efforts to evocate the importance and significance of orchid species conservation.
I spend the majority of the time I had at the National Orchid Garden here at the Tan Hoon Siang Misthouse! So who is Tan Hoon Siang? As I found out, he is a descendant of Tan Tock Seng, a philanthropist and founder of Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Unfortunately, I cannot find any information as to why this misthouse is named in his honor.
Not far from the Tan Hoon Siang Misthouse is the Coolhouse.
According to the SBG website:
The Cool House mimics a tropical highland cloud forest, where naturalistic man-made trees and rocks are draped with a profusion of spectacular cool-growing orchids, carnivorous plants and other cool-growing plants. Tropical highland cloud forests have a cool climate and high rainfall year round, hence, the simulation of cool air, drifting mist and rushing torrent provide a highly realistic representation of high elevation sites in the tropics and will make for an unforgettable experience.
I guess the Coolhouse is a popular exhibit due to its climate-controlled environment. I myself sought refuge in here because everywhere else is simply too hot!
These are definitely not bananas
Next, I came to the Celebrity Garden.
Just like the VIP Orchid Garden, stars and popular personalities who have made significant contributions in their respective fields had new Orchid hybrids named after them. Among those who had the honor are Stefanie Sun, Andre Bocelli, Bae Yong Jun and Zhou Xun, just to name a few.
Dendrobium Amitabh Bachchan
This Orchid was named after Mr Amitabh Bachchan, film star,
This Orchid was named after Mr Amitabh Bachchan, film star,
on the occasion of his visit to the National Orchid Garden on 17 March 2004
Dendrobium Stefanie Sun
This Orchid was named after Ms Stefanie Sun, Singapore Singer/Song Writer,
This Orchid was named after Ms Stefanie Sun, Singapore Singer/Song Writer,
on the occasion of her visit to the inaugural Singapore Garden Festival 16 - 25 December 2006
This Orchid was named after Mr Andre Bocelli, on 08 May 2010
on the occasion of the YTL Concert of Celebration 2010: Andre Bocelli in Singapore
This Orchid was named after Korean film star, Mr Bae Yong Jun
on the occasion of his visit to the National Orchid Garden on 19 March 2004
This Orchid was named after Ms Zhou Xun,
internationally acclaimed Chinese actress and singer,
and United Nations Goodwill Ambassador
with a special focus on environmental sustainability
on the occasion of her visit to the Singapore Garden Festival 2008
This Orchid was named after Mr Kwon Sang Woo, Korean actor,
on the occasion of his visit to the National Orchid Garden on 04 September 2006
This Orchid was named after Dr Jane Goodwill, renowned Primatologist,
on the occasion of her visit to the National Orchid Garden on 06 December 2004
This Orchid was named after Mr Shah Rukh Khan, film star,
on the occasion of his visit to the National Orchid Garden on 29 November 2003
The National Orchid Garden is located inside the Singapore Botanic
Garden. However, do take note that both have different
operating hours. While entry to the SBG is free, a admission fee to
the NOG is required. Details of ticketing and operating hours are in the link below.
SINGAPORE BOTANIC GARDENS
SINGAPORE BOTANIC GARDENS
1 Cluny Road
Singapore 259569
Opening hours: 5am - 12am
Website: www.sbg.org.sg
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SingaporeBotanicGardens
