Colors in the Breeze   (Gardenwise)

In the pre-dawn hours at the Gardens, the final stage of the metamorphosis of the Common Birdwing (Troides helena) is taking place. High up in the canopy of an Angsana tree, an almost indiscernible wriggle starts off a series of movements in the pupa which culminate in the emergence of a female Common Birdwing.   [more]

Four Pillars For Tropical Landscapes   (Gardenwise)

Beauty, they say, lies in the eyes of the beholder. In the eyes of landscape architects and garden designers beauty often lies in the shape of trees. Broad spreading trees can give shade and a fine tracery of foliage. More compact crown shapes may provide a formal architectural element to planting schemes.   [more]

Fragrant Orchids at the National Orchid Garden
(Gardenwise)

A question I am often asked is: Are orchids scented? Many people tend to think that orchids are not fragrant. But in fact, it is believed that as many as 75% of all orchids are scented.   [more]

Handkerchief Trees   (Gardenwise)

There are several tropical species that are sometimes referred to as handkerchief trees. This is because the new leaves of these trees develop in bunches and are pale and limp at first, looking not unlike damp pocket-handkerchief, suspended from their centres, dangling at the ends of the branches.   [more]

Moving Experiences   (Gardenwise)

Transplanting mature trees and shrubs into a newly developed landscape allows an almost instantaneous creation of an established landscape. There are as many ways of moving large plants as there are people who move them.    [more]

Plants of the Sensory Trail I   (UbinTides)

The first miniature garden, which was said to cause quite a stir at the London Chelsea Flower Show in 1923, was created using an old sink. When old sinks ran out, horse troughs, birdbaths and other concrete troughs and dishes were used. These sink or trough gardens raised on pedestals will appeal to many a gardener.   [more]

Plants of the Sensory Trail II   (UbinTides)

The urban-sprawl is in our midst, spreading its tentacles not only radically, but also skywards. These urban-octopuses look both sterile and dehumanizing. Modern buildings with their emphasis on functional and minimalistic design fail at times to consider the aesthetics.    [more]

Seashore Plants (Part I)   (UbinTides)

African violets, also known as Saintpaulias, are among the most well-known house plants in the world. Plants are attractive and grow in a variety of sizes and shapes, from miniature of a few inches high to trailing forms that drape from pots.   [more]

Seashore Plants (Part II)   (UbinTides)

The cool shade of the Banana (Musa sp.) greets the visitors at the beginning of the trail. This plant is mistakenly called a “tree”- the trunk is actually made up of compact, overlapping leaf bases.   [more]

Seashore Plants (Part III)   (UbinTides)

A very useful plant, the Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera), is cultivated throughout the tropics. The palm grows to a height of 30 m and has a lifespan of about 90 years. A Sanskrit name for Coconut is ‘kalpa vriksha’ or ‘the tree that provides all the necessities of life’.   [more]

Suggested Plants for Miniature Gardens  (Gardenwise)

The Blunt-leaved Oil-Fruit (Elaeocarpus pedunculatus) is a moderately tall tree, growing up to 40 metres tall. It exists in a variety of habitats, but along the coast, it is commonly found on the well-drained slopes of rocky cliffs.   [more]

Urban Invaders or Dwellers  (Gardenwise)

A very familiar tree in Singapore, the Yellow Flame (Peltophorum pterocarpum) is commonly planted along our roadsides and in our parks because of its fragrant yellow flowers and dome shaped crown, which provide good shade. It can still be found naturally on offshore islands in back mangroves and along sandy and rocky coasts.   [more]

Ways to Enjoy and Display African Violets  (Gardenwise)

Found throughout the tropics, especially along coastal beaches, Porcupine’s Bell is a sun-loving, woody shrub with small, paired leaves and bright yellow flowers. The fruits are typical leguminous pods and blacken when ripe. A rattling sound is produced when the ripened pod is shaken.   [more]