Burkill Hall
Situated at the highest point in the Gardens, Burkill Hall has a commanding view over the National Orchid Garden, Palm Valley and the Rain Forest. Built before the days of air-conditioning, it was designed to be cool and airy, with high ceilings, wide eaves and broad verandahs on the first floor. Note the wooden pillars each made from a single trunk of the native Tempinis tree, Streblus elongatus (Moraceae), which taper elegantly towards the top.
Burkill Hall used to be the Director’s residence and was occupied by a succession of directors until 1969. Sir Henry Nicholas Ridley, renowned botanist, orchidologist and the first Director of Singapore Botanic Gardens from 1888 to 1911 resided in this house, which was later succeeded by Isaac Henry Burkill in 1912 when he became Director of the gardens. The current name, Burkill Hall commemorates the only father and son pair, Isaac (Director from 1912 to 1925) and Humphrey Burkill (from 1957 to 1969), to hold the post of Director of Singapore Botanic Gardens.
Tan Hoon Siang Misthouse
The Tan Hoon Siang Misthouse was named in honour of Tan Hoon Siang, a successful pioneer and descendant of Tan Tock Seng, who was a philanthropist and the founder of Tan Tock Seng Hospital. It is a showcase for the extensive collection of rare, unique and award winning orchid cultivars from the Gardens’, set amidst lush tropical foliage and interesting artefacts. Amongst the orchid displays found here, the Scented Orchids Corner is a definite treat to the sense of smell. Orchid breeding mostly involves breeding for lasting, showy and beautiful flowers, but not necessarily fragrance. Papilionanda Mimi Palmer is a fine example of the few fragrant orchid hybrids available; it emits a very sweet almost chocolaty fragrance that is particularly strong in the morning. Do not miss these stunning and fragrant beauties on show! Besides the fragrant orchids, there is a collection of foul smelling orchids on display from the Bulbophyllum genus. Some specimens on display are Bulbophyllum graveolens, B.phalaenopsis and B.beccarri. These foul smelling orchids attract flies as the pollinating agent.
Another interesting orchid that is featured here is the Vanilla planifolia. It has a climbing habit and is one of the most well-known species amongst the vanilla orchids. Vanilla consists of about 100 species occurring mostly in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, from tropical America to tropical Asia, New Guinea and West Africa. Many may not be aware that the Vanilla flavour is actually derived from the seedpods of these orchids! They are commercially grown for their seedpods and hand pollination is the most reliable way for the production of their seedpods, which ripen in eight to nine months time.
VIP Orchid Garden
The VIP Orchid Garden was thoughtfully sited and carefully styled as an English backyard garden of Burkill Hall. Displayed here are the outstanding orchid hybrids of the Gardens’ orchid programme that was initiated by Prof. Eric Holttum in 1928. The outstanding orchid hybrids from this programme established the reputation of the Gardens’ orchid programme. As Singapore orchids gained fame, it became obvious that they should be used as agents to promote goodwill and foster closer ties between nations. From 1957 the Singapore Government began to honour State Visitors and other VIPs by naming selected orchid hybrids after them. This prized collection of “VIP Orchids” has become an important attraction of the National Orchid Garden. To date, the Gardens’ has named over 200 VIP orchids. Examples of VIP orchids on display include Dendrobium Margaret Thatcher, Dendrobium Joe and Jill Biden, Papilionanda William Catherine, Renantanda Akihito, Papilionanda Ban Ki-Moon Yoo Soon-Taek, Aranda Zhu Rongji.
Celebrity Orchid Garden
As the name goes, the garden acknowledges celebrities who had contributed significantly to the society by naming new orchid hybrids after them. Hong Kong actor Jackie Chan, popular Korean actor Bae Yong Joon, wild life warrior Bindi Irwin, and Bollywood veteran Shah Rukh Khan are among the many celebrities with orchids named after them.
Cool House
The Cool House mimics a tropical highland cloud forest, where naturalistic man-made trees and rocks are draped with a profusion of spectacular cool-growing orchids, carnivorous plants and other cool-growing plants. The orchid species in the cool house are grouped based on their origin, either from the Old World (mainly Asia and Africa) or the New World (mainly Central and South America). Tropical highland cloud forests have a cool climate and high rainfall year round, hence, the simulation of cool air, drifting mist and rushing torrent provide a highly realistic representation of high elevation sites in the tropics and will make for an unforgettable experience.
One orchid to look out for is Bulbophyllum echinolabium, which boasts the largest flower in its genus. Its spectacular blooms can measure up to 30cm long and can last for about 10 days. This amazing orchid is able to remain in bloom, with successive flowers produced on the same inflorescence, for up to two months. It is native to Sulawesi and Borneo. Another unique orchid found in the Cool House is the Stanhopea ruckeri. Stanhopea species occur from Mexico to Brazil and are known for the size, beauty and odd complexity of their flowers. When in bloom, the pendulous inflorescence bears one to a few large, unusual-looking and fragrant flowers that last only for a few days. Many more interesting orchid species can be found in the Cool House. Come and spot them!
Besides orchids, another featured group of plants are the carnivorous plants. These plants employ different methods of attracting and trapping insects, such as the use of colours, nectar-secreting glands, traps with trigger mechanisms and pitchers filled with dissolving enzymes. These plants often grow in places where the soil is thin or poor in nutrients, such as acidic bogs and rock outcrops, and hence, captured insects are their main source of nutrients. For example, Nepenthes species, commonly known as pitcher plants, attract prey using colour and nectar-scent; the unsuspecting insect is attracted to the pitchers and fall inside. Once in, it is not able to escape as the inner walls of the pitchers are slippery and the enzymes, secreted by special glands digest the fallen insect. The nutrients are then absorbed through the walls of the pitchers. Do not miss these menacing plants.
Heritage Orchid Garden
Singapore has been a centre of orchid breeding from the 1930s. Some early hybrids have left important footprints in the world of orchids and have become part of Singapore’s floral heritage. They are hybrids that have been internationally awarded, have become important in the cut-flower trade or have been named after historical figures. Some are important as breeding stock for many of today’s hybrids.
Yuen-Peng McNeice Bromeliad Collection
Through the generous sponsorship from Lady Yuen-Peng Mcneice, this unique collection of about 200 different bromeliads originated from Shelldance Nursery in the United States in 1994. It is the only featured non-orchid display in the National Orchid Garden. The origin of the name ‘bromeliad’ was attributed to French explorer-priest Charles Plumier. He chose the name Bromelia in honour of Swedish botanist Olaf Bromel for a plant he encountered while exploring the Caribbean region. Bromeliads may be terrestrials or epiphytes. Some store water in their leaf bases, while others absorb enough nutrients and water from the rain and atmosphere. Colours may be exhibited on the foliage or from the long-lasting bracts. The pineapple is a well-known bromeliad which was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493 on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, it is widely cultivated for its fruits and fiber, while ornamental pineapples are also available.
Yuen-Peng McNeice Bromeliad Collection
Through the generous sponsorship from Lady Yuen-Peng Mcneice, this unique collection of about 200 different bromeliads originated from Shelldance Nursery in the United States in 1994. It is the only featured non-orchid display in the National Orchid Garden. The origin of the name ‘bromeliad’ was attributed to French explorer-priest Charles Plumier. He chose the name Bromelia in honour of Swedish botanist Olaf Bromel for a plant he encountered while exploring the Caribbean region. Bromeliads may be terrestrials or epiphytes. Some store water in their leaf bases, while others absorb enough nutrients and water from the rain and atmosphere. Colours may be exhibited on the foliage or from the long-lasting bracts. The pineapple is a well-known bromeliad which was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493 on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, it is widely cultivated for its fruits and fiber, while ornamental pineapples are also available.
18, Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore
Open hours: 5:00 - 24:00
National Orchid Park: 8:30 - 19:00
www.sbg.org.sg
