Hort Park

I often take the bus 963 which passes by this beautiful bridge with a HortPark sign underneath so I thought that the bridge was part of the park or something like that. But last thursday, when I finally found time to check out the park, I realised that it was not at all! The bridge is the Alexandra Arch and it is the little path behind the sign that leads to HortPark.

Having said so much, so what is HortPark?? For the information of those like me, HortPark is actually short for Horticulture Park and is a gardening hub.

Like many other Singaporeans, I live in a HDB with not much room for gardening activities and I was never interested. But when I was at HortPark, I was quite fascinated by the plants' colours, their display methods, the whole architecture and presentation of the plots. The place feels like one huge experiment lab with all these curious-looking things which makes the place interesting.

This is one of the shelters on the way to HortPark. It is pretty and inviting due to the beautiful flowers. Maybe after some time, the plant will creep to cover the whole pavillion. If not, I can only imagine myself sitting to appreciate the flowers only during my most poetic feeling evenings or nights 'cause it's way too hot in Singapore!

I was greeted by this beautiful mosaic art at the Hort Centre (i.e. entrance pavillion). The rays of lights are actually mirror tiles and the mix of colours makes the picture so cheerful!

Vertical planting. I thought it was a good idea if you have no place for trees and you want greenery around.

I like this one. The sign next to it says that this kind of gardening requires little maintenance. You put the plants in and cover it. The moisture inside is therefore recycled and it is a mini ecosystem by itself! so cool! It's pretty too. Reminds me of the ship in the glass or the antique chinese glass bottles. I might try it next time if I have my own house.

This is so funny! It's a nursery and they were trying to convey how we have to take care of plants like babies. See the cot and the baby walker??

Haha, his reminds me of my primary school days and the primary school garden. I remember I cut up a plastic bottle and put some jelly like substance to plant a money plant I cut from the neighbourhood park. I think it was for some science project in primary 4?

There's even a wizard of oz plot!

So cute! Flowers as eyes and flower pots as body parts!

A footpath piece.

I saw the sculpture and I laughed! They "see no evil" and "hear no evil" = the people sitting at the pair of benches nearby are probably *erhem* ....

Most benches are low and small which increases the fantasy factor in the park. I felt like Alice in Wonderland!

This is the Research Plot. Some of the plants are planted on the roof and they are experimenting on the possibility of roof gardening. Apparently there is some irrigation problem that has to be solved. The rest are under the roof, which is retractable so as to control the amount of sunlight or rain they receive. So scientific right?

I thought the concrete and glass building backdrop is interesting. Is this a characteristic in Singapore? Two contrasting elements so near to each other...

Work in progress!

The glass house in the park: There are a lot of beautiful flowers and they made me happy!

Some of the flowers.

One of my favourite trees in Singapore: Raintree. Looks like laces in the sky!

About halfway through the park, at the appropriate time and place, there is reasonably priced drinks at the Hands-on House and also has water cooler facilities.

The park authority hasn't forgotten that most people would come with children or friends. So they are a few playgrounds in the park and a group of youngsters seem to enjoy themselves at this higher difficulty one.

The mushrooms, stones, ridges and even the rhino is made entirely of rubber for children safety at this one. I like the rhino.

Here's one for younger children. It is thoughtful of them to place a pavillion next to this one for the parents.

A breather open space from the intricate plots and playground activities.

And good news for those who are looking for alternative places to surf the net! There's wireless@sg and two of benches in the entrance pavilion have electrical points near them. I sat on one of them and this is the view I saw.

Turtle hidden somewhere. See if you can find this! Btw, actually I found the plants growing out of the shell a little disturbing, haha..

Hey! Besides what I've shown, there are other interesting gardening plots like the Herbs Garden, Bamboo Labyrinth, Golden Garden and Silver Garden waiting for you to explore! (which is the point! I shan't spoil your fun of discovery) There is also a gardening mart for gardening enthusiast, a restaurant (KHA F&B outlet), seminar rooms for you to rent and many other activities at the park. For more information, the HortPark website at National Parks Board provides very comprehensive information including how to get there:

There are carparks at the park entrance so for those who drive, no worries! If you are there in the mornings, remember to bring your caps or umbrellas to protect yourselves from the sun.

In addition, from now till 27th Dec 2008, there is free guided tour and plant sale every last saturday of the month (i.e. this coming saturday 27/9 for the month of September). You have to register at the counter 15mins before the tour. So take note!