This garden is a dreamlike oasis in the bustling city.
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Transcript:
Hello Listeners,
Today is February 21, and this is A Garden A Day with Mædunbroc Gardens.
Thank you for listening.
Today’s garden is the result of an urban planning initiative. Really. That sounds boring, doesn’t it? But there is nothing boring about this garden.
So where are we? Today, we are exploring Gardens By the Bay in Singapore.
Spanning 260 acres, this waterfront urban garden is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Singapore.
In 2005, the local government announced a plan to transform acres of wasteland into a garden. Long known as the Garden City, Singapore is working to improve the quality of life for its citizens and visitors by adding green spaces throughout the city and turning the Garden City into a City in a Garden.
Their first major step in that direction was the creation of Gardens By the Bay. This project was one of the largest garden projects in the world and took only five years to complete. The project broke ground in 2007 and opened to the public in June 2012.
The result is an urban park with three waterfront gardens — Bay South Garden, Bay East Garden, and Bay Central Garden. Within those gardens are twenty-four attractions and ten restaurants including a food hall with just about every type of food a person could want.
The Bay Central Garden spans thirty-seven acres and includes an almost two-mile-long waterfront promenade. The Central Garden links Bay South and Bay East Gardens.
The Bay East Garden spans seventy-nine acres and includes a mile-long promenade bordering the Marina Reservoir. From the East Garden, visitors are able to see a spectacular view of the city skyline.
The Bay South Garden is the largest of the three gardens. It spans 130 acres, and the overall concept for this garden was inspired by the orchid — the national flower of Singapore — with the design of the garden flowing as roots, leaves, shoots, and blooms.
There are two conservatories in the garden — The Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest.
The Flower Dome is the largest glasshouse in the world. It covers three acres and replicates a cool-dry Mediterranean climate. There are eight themed gardens within the glasshouse as well as flower displays that change with the seasons. Here, visitors will find Baobabs, and Olive Grove, a Succulent Garden, an Australian Garden, South African Garden, South American Garden, California Garden, and the Mediterranean Garden.
There are over 1.5 million plants from around the world. The gardens includes plants from all continents except Antarctica.
The Cloud Forest is home to the second tallest indoor waterfall in the world. The building is taller than the Flower Dome but covers only two acres. The Cloud Forest replicates the cool moist conditions of tropical mountain regions. Orchids, begonias, ferns, and mosses grow in profusion in the Cloud Forest.
Themed areas include The Lost World, The Cavern, The Crystal Mountain, and The Secret Garden.
The two conservatories showcase sustainable building technologies.
Outside, eighteen engineered tree structures called Supertrees dominate the landscape and command attention. Ranging in height from eighty-two feet to 102 feet, the trees act as more growing surface area as well as rainwater collection system to self-cool the Supertrees.
Over 200 species of plants are growing on the Supertrees.
Inside the tallest Supertree is the Observatory which includes a rooftop deck. From the roof, visitors will enjoy 360 degree open air views of the gardens and Marina Bay.
Between two of the Supertrees is the OCBC Skyway, an elevated walkway that provides a unique perspective of the gardens.
At night, the Supertrees light up with a coordinated music and light show. If you’ve ever been to Disney World and stayed for the light up show at the castle, it’s similar to that in inspiration. The Supertree show is called Garden Rhapsody.
The Heritage Garden offers visitors a chance to learn about Singapore’s history through plants. The Heritage Garden is divided into four sections, emphasizing the four main cultural groups that have influenced Singapore and the economic importance of plants.
The four areas are Chinese, Malay, Indian, and colonial. The Chinese Garden shows the artistry of a traditional Chinese Garden. Pine and Chinese pistache can be found here along with Buddha statues resting under Bodhi trees.
The Malay Garden focuses on fruits and vegetables traditionally used for medicine and food. Coconut, durian, Bread Fruit, and Star Fruit grow here.
The Indian Garden shows the influence of Hinduism on culture and plants used in Ayurveda. Banyan trees and Asian Palmyra Palm are found here.
The Colonial Garden shows the importance of the world spice trade and cash crops on the Singapore culture and economy. Nutmeg, rubber, cloves, coffee, and cocoa grow in this garden.
Aquatic plants and animals can be found at Kingfisher and Dragonfly Lakes. Fish, aquatic birds, and of course, dragonflies are found here. The lakes also act a a water-filtration system for runoff. More information about the garden’s sustainability efforts can be found on their website. I’ve included a link in the notes.
The Kingfisher Wetlands are host to otters and over 200 mangrove trees. There is a natural rock pool, cascades, and a wildlife lookout.
An indoor attraction called Floral Fantasy is reminiscent of something one might find at Disney’s Epcot Center. It includes a 4D ride that simulates a dragonfly’s flight through the Gardens by the Bay. There are also floral artistic displays that have been described as dreamlike and straight out of Alice in Wonderland.
Other gardens include the Sun Pavilion that includes more than 1,000 desert plants,
the Serene Garden inspired by Japanese Zen gardens,
the Canyon — the world’s largest collection of sculptural rocks,
and the World of Plants — a selection of plants that show the biodiversity of a tropical rainforest.
Families will enjoy bringing their children to the Children’s Garden. There is an adventure trail with balance beams and swaying bridges. There is an early years play area suitable for children under the age of five, a water splash play area for older children, and rainforest tree houses for older children and tweens.
Art lovers will enjoy the 200 sculptures found throughout Gardens by the Bay.
The garden is open every day, but times vary for the indoor attractions. General entry is free, but some attractions require the purchase of a ticket.
Well, that’s about it for today. I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s garden.
Thank you so much for listening. Join me tomorrow to find out where we are going next. I release a new episode every single day.
As a reminder, you can learn more about the gardens featured on A Garden a Day by clicking on the links in the notes or by visiting our website, agardenaday.com.
And If you like A Garden a Day, and I hope you do, please consider liking, subscribing, and telling your friends. If you are able, please also consider giving us a five-star review. It lets me know you like the show, and it also helps others find the podcast. I really do appreciate your support.
If all goes well, I will be right back here tomorrow. See you then!
To learn more about Gardens by the Bay and to plan your visit, check out these links:
https://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gardens_by_the_Bay
https://www.gardensbythebaysingapore.com/
https://singaporesavvy.com/gardens-by-the-bay/
https://www.visitsingapore.com/neighbourhood/featured-neighbourhood/marina-bay/gardens-by-the-bay/
https://www.klook.com/blog/gardensbythebay-singapore-guide/
https://thebettervacation.com/gardens-by-the-bay/
https://www.visitonssingapour.com/gardens-bay
https://www.treksplorer.com/gardens-by-the-bay-singapore/
https://www.marinabaysands.com/guides/around-mbs/gardens-by-the-bay.html
https://www.archdaily.com/254471/gardens-by-the-bay-grant-associates
https://shippedaway.com/gardens-by-the-bay-singapore/
https://www.nothingfamiliar.com/gardens-by-the-bay/
https://www.tripsavvy.com/singapore-gardens-by-the-bay-guide-4156804
https://www.acko.com/travel-tips/gardens-by-the-bay-in-singapore/
https://www.ourtravelmix.com/gardens-by-the-bay-everything-you-need-to-know/
https://www.backpackerswanderlust.com/gardens-by-the-bay-singapore/
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