Treetop Walkway

After our initial view of the Supertrees in Singapore (see the night photos here) we had a second visit to the Gardens by the Bay, and included the treetop walkway. We had intended to do this the first day, but as there was a public holiday for Chinese New Year the queues were enormous, so much so that the lady in the ticket office advised against it.

However on our return, the crowds were less and it was only a ten minute queue to go up, there was a choice of lift or stairs.... we were on holiday after all so the lift won out!

The view was well worth going up for, with the gardens stretching out in all directions and the skyscrapers of Singapore in the background. From this height you can really see just how new these gardens are. I hope we get to go back in a few years time when things will have started to mature.

The walkway is suspended by steel rope, and does wobble a bit with people walking about or the wind. 

Singapore is famous for its signs, and the walkway had several, don't forget you can't jump off and please no kites :)

However all the signs didn't stop this boy from climbing up and swinging about, initially to his mothers horror as he was lifting himself up and above the barrier, but she then decided this was cute and got the camera out. We didn't get a photo of him up high although you could hear the gasps of quite a few of the other visitors. Mums sudden change of heart from horror to awww, was rather amusing to see.

On the trip down at the far end we opted for the stairs, so we could see the inside of the Supertrees. They all have this construction with planting panels suspended from a rail system and water sprinklers covering the tree. Again the planting still looks very new and I'm sure as the plants grow and knit together the overall look will get even better.

Back on the ground and the planting is not quite so new looking. They have brought in hundreds of large trees, palms and shrubs to create this garden, which are starting to fill out and produce that lush look one would expect in Singapore. We will move on to this area around the garden in a future blog.

Gaz

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Escape in the Jungle at Singapore Botanic Gardens

In previous blog posts we have featured the Ginger Garden and Bromeliads at Singapore Botanic Gardens, this time we explore the lush jungle planting. These photos are from within the Orchid Garden section, although there was a lot more than just orchids. In due course we shall share the orchids but today it's another turn for the lush, tropical planting.

The Orchid Garden was an absolute delight, and the planting and landscaping exceeded what we had anticipated. Not just orchids, but ferns, tree ferns, palms and a whole host of leafy tropical planting.

Whilst in Singapore we generally had some rain most days, which typically fell in the middle of the day. So whilst in the Orchid Garden the rain did once again make an appearance. Fortunately it didn't detract from enjoying a beautiful garden.

Water droplets on a Colocasia leaf

In many respects the rain enhanced the garden, making it more atmospheric, there were also not many visitors at the same time as us which always helps make a visit more enjoyable.

With the warmth, moisture and lack of winter everything looks so lush, the Cyatheas thrusting up from the undergrowth is a fabulous way to line a pathway. 

Large Aspleniums were everywhere, on the ground, on the trees, clinging to walls and rock faces.
I must look for more hardy forms for us to grow.

Blechnums are another group of ferns I really like!

Delightful forest pathways, and just us to enjoy. This lushness is something I'd like to work on in our
own garden this year.

Twisted roots as a feature, simply delightful. Whether it remains bare from plant life in the ideal
conditions of Singapore will remain to be seen.

We spotted this chap in the middle of things. He reminded me of the metal animals we have seen at
places such as Akamba here in the UK.

Gradually the epiphytes seem to take over all available branch or log.

Given a little time the log above will presumably look like these trees, with the branches covered in wonderful epiphytic life.

How's that for total immersion into plant life!

Singapore has a reputation for having signs forbidding almost everything, however we did not really notice too many. These signs above made me smile as they just seem so sweet and simple, although it doesn't say perhaps you are OK to walk on the garden as long as you have your safety boots on, only bare feet are banned! Or maybe not :)

Around every corner was another beautiful view. We are fans of water features and falls (I'm sure you may have guessed from our pond project!), this one works so well. With the water cascading down into a small pool. 

Philodendron in front of the waterfall

Looking back at our photos when composing this, it feels like our trip was such a long time ago already. However it gives me so many ideas and thoughts for our own garden; working out how to recreate some of the feel and atmosphere of the Singapore Gardens, and thinking through the plants that will give the look and be hardy. 

Gaz

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A Walk in the Cloud Forest

In one of the two large cooled conservatories in the Gardens by the Bay is a huge mountain. This is covered in various ferns, orchids, begonias and a whole host of other plants to create a massive living wall. 

On entering the Cloud Forest Conservatory (Cool-Moist) you are welcomed by what is claimed to be the tallest indoor waterfall in the world, (and who am I to argue!), casting a welcome cooling spray to make a change from the heat outside. Coming from the UK where we normally associate glasshouses with heat it is strange to enter one that is air conditioned. 

How's that for a dramatic welcome!

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The Gingers in The Jungle

Yesterday we featured our visit to the Bromeliad Collection at the Singapore Botanic Gardens but prior to that we first visited the Ginger Garden which is another one of their dedicated areas and this one concentrates on plants from the order Zingiberales. It features plants from the genus Alpinia, Hedychium, Costus, Etlingera, Curcuma, Zingiber, Canna, Heliconia, Strelitzia, Musa, and perhaps many more, including other plants that are not gingers per se but associate well with them.

There weren't many that were in bloom when we visited, just a few to give a shot of colour here and there rather than a riot of it but what struck me the most is how this garden was presented; the pathways, the plants, hard landscaping, and seating areas. Forget the blooms, what I loved the most about this area is that it is a stunning jungle garden. After all, nearly all gingers make fabulous foliage plants. Mass them together, combined with towering palms, mature trees, and leafy epiphytes here and there; and gloss them all with a tropical rain shower and the scene is complete, and even perfect. Come and explore the ginger jungle garden with us....

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Beautiful Bromeliads

The weather here in Singapore has been pretty much unpredictable on a daily basis, one moment it is sunny and dry, the next moment it is absolutely wet and pouring down with rain. Such is life in a coastal, tropical location but whether it may be rain or shine one thing remains the same: it's still warm and feels nice nevertheless especially for temporary cold winter refugees like us!

So on our visit to the beautiful Singapore Botanic Gardens, we started off the day there sunny and dry and after a couple of hours the grey clouds rolled in and the heavens opened up and poured it down with rain, in true tropical fashion too. Fortunately there was the visitor centre to seek refuge in during the worst of it. 

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Supertree Grove at Night - Singapore

It's snowing again at home but we've managed to escape it this time as we are currently enjoying the warmth and tropical lushness of Singapore. This evening we've just been to watch the light and sound show of the Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay - the newest and grandest botanical attraction of this metropolitan and very green nation.

Seeing the Supertrees in person has been amazing, such unique and statuesque structures that are fast becoming iconic symbols of Singapore. Not only are they attractions in their own right, they also serve a purpose in collecting solar energy as well as rain water to be used in maintaining this newly developed area. The trees also serve as vertical gardens too, covered with various ferns, orchids, bromeliads, and other epiphytes.

It was great to see the trees in daylight, but seeing them at night was a unique experience. And the light and sound show was a fab bonus! 

The outdoor area where the trees are located are open to the public till midnight, well worth a wander around in the evening to soak in the atmosphere of the brought about by the tropical planting and illuminated trees. 

Panorama Shot

One of the Supertrees with Marina Bay Sands Hotel in the background

The supertrees in daylight and more botanical sights and wonders of Singapore to follow soon!

Mark :-)

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