Singapore sits just off the southern tip of Malaysia as an island city-state, measuring a mere 274 square miles. As the population grows, so does the cityscape. The Singaporean government addresses the shrinking natural environment by striving to be a "city in a garden," and employs an entire branch of government to achieve this mission statement. The National Parks Board promotes responsible conservation by installing green spaces throughout the city, maintaining more than 300 parks, four reserves and countless miles of roadside greenery. The National Parks Board, or NParks, sponsored the first Singapore Garden Festival in 2006 and holds one every two years.
NParks holds the biennial Singapore Garden Festival during the summer inside the Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Center, where thee gardens cover more than 68,000 square feet, or 2 hectacres. The floral designs can be massive as they incorporate professional lighting, life-like props and gigantic plants. In 2012, outside experts were hired to suspend 50 trout plants, each weighing 100 pounds each. You could stroll through the exhibit getting lost in what appears to be mystical Hollywood movie sets for hours, making the festival worth the price of admission.
The floral windows show, the balcony garden and the floral tables series are not only beautiful, they teach you how to turn parts of your city apartment into a garden. After taking notes, you can stroll to the internationally renowned best in show designer gardens and the orchid show. Head on over to the marketplace to buy some home and garden goods, then keep strolling to the Garden Fiesta section to receive educational green thumb talks, watch floral demonstrations and get a bite to eat.
NParks works with other internationally recognized gardening organizations to create competitions that draw the best garden designers in the world for a chance at international recognition. The coveted best of show award goes to the top designer in landscape gardens, fantasy gardens, floral windows to the world and balcony gardens. Gold, silver and bronze awards go to notable designs in each category, while one display will receive the people's choice award. The general public can vote on their favorite design using SMS text message. You'll also find orchid, floral harmonies and stone exhibit competitions.
