Singapore's must-see botanical gardens

December 31, 10:37 AMHotels ExaminerSusan Fogwell

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In 1819, Singapore was founded as a British trading colony. Years later, in 1859,  Laurence Niven, a British nutmeg plantation owner, had the foresight along with other colonial figures to clear the tiger infested jungle and create a layout of botanic gardens. 

Twenty nine years later, Sir Henry Ridley, a British botanist, became the director of the botanical gardens.  His reign lasted from 1888 to 1912. Ridley was an interesting character; he was known by some people as “Mad Ridley” for promoting the rubber industry in its infancy. Ridley was clever and developed a new way to remove latex from trees without killing them. Consequently, within two decades, the Malay Peninsula supplied half of the world’s latex.

Considered one of the most beautiful public gardens in the world, one of the highlights at the botanical gardens are the extensive and diverse orchid pavilions. The orchid is the national flower of Singapore. With over 1000 species and 2000 hybrids, the botanical gardens have the largest display of tropical orchids in the world.

Orchids have long been identified with Singapore. In 1981, Vanda Miss Joaquim was appropriately chosen as Singapore’s national flower. It is the first registered plant hybrid from Singapore.

If you’re not already an orchid fan, you will become one after visiting the botanic gardens. It’s a special place not to be missed.   

Read my previous article on getting around Singapore.