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National Orchid Garden at the Botanic Gardens, Singapore – By ProjectManhattan –

Top 10 Remarquable Facts about National Orchid Garden

The National Orchid Garden is a stunningly gorgeous orchid plantation in Singapore. It is part of the Singapore Botanic Gardens UNESCO World Heritage site.

Located in the center of the Singapore Botanic Gardens, the National Orchid Garden was opened officially on 20th October 1995. The opening was officiated by the then senior minister Lee Kuan Yew.

The National Orchid Garden stretches over three and a half (3½) acres of land. It has state-of-the-art greenhouses and plant growth facilities and is home to over 60,000 orchid plants.

The garden is located in Tanglin, Central Region in Singapore on the highest hill in the Singapore Botanic Gardens. The following are some remarkable facts about the National Orchid Garden, Singapore.

1. The National Orchid Garden Was Part of The Singapore Botanic Gardens Till 1995

In 1859, the Singapore Botanic Gardens were opened by the Agri-horticultural Society. In 1899, the first building specifically designed to house orchids was constructed.

Over time, as the orchid plantation grew and expanded, the orchid house became known as the National Orchid Garden. At this point, it was part and parcel of the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

It was not until 1995, that the National Orchid Garden was officially declared and established as a separate entity. By that point, the operation was already a significant project and really not that much changed other than the name.

2. The Gardens Are the Major Attraction at The Singapore Botanic Gardens

Singapore Botanic Gardens – By Calvin teo –

The Singapore Botanic Gardens are designed and developed along a 3-core concept. Each core is designed and organized to present an array of varied attractions. The three cores include the Tanglin, the Central, and the Bukit Timah cores.

The Tanglin core is the heritage core of the gardens. It retains and houses the rustic, old, and favorite historic charms of the gardens.

The Central core is home to the National Orchid Garden and is the tourist belt of the Gardens. The Bukit Timah is set aside as an educational and recreational zone.

Found in the central core, the National Orchid Garden is the main tourist attraction within the borders of the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

3. It Is Home to Singapore’s National Flower

The Singapore Ministry of Culture commissioned a committee to select a national flower in 1981. This task aimed to foster national identity and pride.

 The committee was comprised of representatives from the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board, the Parks and Recreation Department, the Singapore Institute of Standards and Industrial Research, the Orchid Society of South East Asia, and the Ministry itself.

The committee was looking for an attractive, colorful, free flowering, and popularly known flower. After deliberation and consideration, they landed on the Vanda Miss Joaquim.

The Vanda Miss Joaquim is a cross between the Vanda teres and the Vanda hookeriana. The orchid is named after Miss Agnes Joaquim who bred it in her garden at Tanjong Pagar in 1893. It was chosen as a national flower because of its resilience and all-year-round blooming quality.

4. The Garden Is Designed Strategically in Four Color Zones

National Orchid Garden, within the Singapore Botanic Gardens – By John Richor –

One of the garden’s unique design concepts is that the orchids are arranged according to color. This is done so to represent the four seasons.

Spring is symbolized by yellow and cream orchids. Summer is represented by red and pink. Red and purple decorate the autumn while a stunning bouquet of white orchids represents the winter.

The meticulous blending of carefully chosen trees, shrubs, herbs, orchids (usually hybrids) with complementary foliage and floral colors results in color zoning.

5. Some Orchids in The Garden Are Named After VIP Dignitaries and Celebrities

As part of a state visit to Singapore, President Ilham Aliyev reviewed National Orchid Garden in the country’s capital. – By President. az –

The VIP Garden boasts a variety of orchid hybrids that have been named after visiting dignitaries. Some of these dignitaries and VIPs include Baroness Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and Ban Ki-moon, former Secretary-General of the United Nations.

There’s also a beautiful orchid named after Princess Diana following her death in 1997. The National Orchid Garden also hosts a Celebrity Garden. This garden has various orchids named after celebrities.

They include movie stars such as Jackie Chan and Shah Rukh Khan and Singapore’s songstress, Stephanie Sun.

6. The Burkhill Hall Was the Residence of The Garden’s Director

Burkhill Hall is located at the top of the National Orchid Garden. Up until 1969, the Director of the Botanic Gardens lived in this plantation mansion.

It was given the names Isaac and Humphrey Burkhill, a father and son director team. This house was built as a colonial bungalow on the plantation before it was converted into a residence.

Inside its confines, visitors may now learn more about the history of the orchid and its connection to Singapore. The Burkhill Hall also provides a captivating view and the perfect setting for weddings and other special events.

7. The National Orchid Garden Has a Diverse Variety of Plants and Orchids

Spanning over 3½ acres of land, the National Orchid Garden is home to over 60,000 plants. This collection features more than 1000 different species of orchids.

The plants are housed in various state-of-the-art gardens and greenhouses. They include; the Tan Hoom Siang Mist House, the Burkhill Hall, Tropical Montane Orchidetum, and the Enchanted Garden among others.

The tropical Montane Orchidetum is a great depiction of the garden’s diversity. It simulates the experience of strolling through a tropical montane forest. This is achieved by the diverse plants, trees, and orchids on the site.

8. There are Endangered Orchid Species in The Garden

A sign. National Orchid Garden. Singapore – By LBM1948 –

Inside the National Orchid Garden, is a cool house. The cool house is a computer-controlled and operated structure with chillers.

The cool house keeps the temperature below the mugginess of Singapore protecting the plants. Housed in the cool house are over 500 orchid species.

This collection includes primarily rare species that are endangered in natural habitats.

 9. The Garden Is Easily Accessible

The National Orchid Garden is accessible by train, bus, car, or taxi. If arriving by train, one alights at the Botanic Gardens Station. From this, it’s about a 25-minute walk to the Garden.

If arriving in a personal car/vehicle, the nearest Parking is available at the Tyersall Entrance or the Nassim Entrance Carpark. The nearest taxi drop-off point is at the Drop-off point at Learning Forest via Tyersall Entrance.

For those arriving by bus, there are two options. The first one is to take bus number 7, 75, 77, 105, 106, 123, and 174 and alight along Napier/Holland Road. This option takes you to the Tanglin Gate.

The second option is to Take bus numbers 48, 66, 67, 151, 153, 154, 156, 170, 171, and 186 and alight along Bukit Timah Road. This option takes you to the Bukit Timah Gate.

10. There is a Large Garden Shop

National Orchid Garden – By osi00 –

Located at the exit of the National Orchid Garden is a large Garden Shop. The shop presents visitors with an opportunity to purchase souvenirs and gifts for their loved ones.