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Travel Inspiration - Plant Installations in Singapore, The Garden City

18 May 2011

Our graphic designer, Sching Ng, went on a three month trip to Singapore, New Zealand and Australia with her daughter in January.  Here is her account of some very interesting plants she came across in Singapore.

After an exhausting 24 hour flight, we were hit by the hot and humid air in tropical Singapore. This is where I grew up, but the heat is something that I never got use to. Maybe that is why we have decided to move 180 degrees across the globe. But it was really nice to see family there and to introduce some of the culture and traditions to my 4-year old daughter.

I feel that I should explain some facts, first, because Singapore is a rather unusual place and I have heard too many misconceptions about it. Singapore is not a part of another country but an independent city-state; a country self-governed since 1959 and home to 5.1 million people living within an island of 701 sq km. Even though it is highly urbanized, with very little primary rainforest remaining, they did such a fantastic job introducing greenery all over the city. which has earned them the title of “Garden City”. You can see roads lined with mature trees and lush gardens or “green lungs” throughout the city.

It is amazing how they can create a “garden” just about anywhere. This trip back, I discovered some fresh green ideas that are worth sharing.

First is the living wall. Saw it on the exterior of an apartment building and even within a shopping mall.  It`s like Pistil`s living wall, but on a much, more larger scale!








Then there are the huge garden bridges, hanging about 25 storeys above and providing a small park for the residents in mid-air.



We also visited some lush roof gardens and saw how landscaped areas can beautify a concrete roof-top.





There were also pathways adorned with floating planters to make the walk more enjoyable.



It is also interesting to note that Orchids are native to Singapore and the national flower is an orchid called Vanda miss Joaquim. Orchid gardens were also very common there. 





Thanks so much, Sching, for showing us photos from your trip....and for focusing on what`s near and dear to us :)

- The Pistil Team

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