JmaX

Econs class today killed me. It was BORING, really dreadful.
I’ve always wanted to start on a picture journal, and I’d go sight-seeing all over Singapore. Since my brain died during lessons, plus I’ve been putting a lot of study stress on myself, I felt that I deserved to relax a bit and do the things I’ve always wanted to do. Hence, I had the urge to visit a place where I felt a connection to, a place where I can unwind and find myself.
Destination: HortPark!
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The last time I visited HortPark, and a stretch of the Southern Ridges, was in November. This time round, I decided to explore just HortPark alone in greater depth and detail, and hope to find myself.
I started off on Alexandra Arch. In the day, it’s just a white structure that stands alone, oblivious. Alexandra Arch should be best visited in the evening (onwards) when the sun goes down and the bridge lights up.

HortPark ~ dying sunflowers…
HortPark’s tagline is “the gardening hub”, and honestly, I feel that it is a befitting title. I started from the Alexandra Arch, and first up lies the Floral Walk. Filled with different species and varieties of plants and flowers that I’ve never seen before, it’s quite a sight to behold wherever I look. From the Bird’s Nest Fern to Heliconias, Orchids and Pentas, surprises lie at every corner, with shades of colours that tease the eyes.

Water Garden
When I reach the visitor’s entrance, the Water Garden sits infront of the porch. Water plants sit sparsely throughout. The simplistic design invokes a zen-like feeling that calms the mind. The HortCentre features an urban zen design; diners at the KHA F&B Outlet get to dine by another pond inside HortCentre that features such a design too. Apparently, as with the calming and relaxing aspects of nature, the park design seeks to emulate and cultivate these peaceful emotions within visitors. I must say it’s quite a conscientious effort on the designers to consider these elements.

Silver Garden
What’s new and not seen in any other park is the introduction of the Silver and Golden Gardens. Before this, I had never considered the possibility of a garden that could look silver or golden by the mere careful selection of plants that emulate these colours. Nevertheless, I feel that many visitors who’ve never seen such a garden before would be awed by it. Amazing!

Golden Garden

Bamboo Labyrinth
If you thought that was all HortPark had to offer in terms of the freshness of ideas with regards to landscaping, think again. Another new introduction is the Bamboo Labyrinth, featuring a circle of bamboo plants forming a circular wall with 2 entrances. When I entered the labyrinth, again a peaceful zen-like feeling overwhelms me. The circular wall of bamboo focuses on the effects of monotony to invoke a calming effect; the greenery all around further emulates this effect. The Bamboo Labyrinth is an ideal place for meditation, or simply a place where one can relax in peace.

A Strelitzia reginae Aiton ‘Mandela’s Gold’ (Bird of Paradise Flower) with the Prototype Glasshouses in the background.
While I was in the Golden Garden, I saw something that I simply had to take a shot of. Yes! It’s the Strelitzia reginae Aiton ‘Mandela’s Gold’, a species of the Strelitzia (commonly known as Bird of Paradise Flower)! The flower plots were seated right in the middle of the flowering plot, so I had to use a maximum zoom plus maintain stable hands to snap it. Isn’t it elegantly gorgeous!? Just a side note, Bird of Paradise flowers are a close relative of Heliconias; both are elegant in colour and shape, and are widely used in landscaping and design today due to their visually striking properties. Credits go to this article, Heliconia Basics, for the information on Heliconias.

Playgrounds
HortPark is centred about gardening and landscaping, hence it is a place suitable for people of all ages. Kids get their fair share of fun too with the playgrounds available. Even some of the landscape plots are catered towards children, namely “Lias’s Babies” and “Fantasy Garden -Scarecrow Garden-”. There’s even a Tree Climbing Corner for the more active adventurous ones.
Other landscape plots feature a variety of designs and ideas geared towards creating an urban garden. Some names include “Green Roof & Green Wall Garden”, “Asian Pots Garden”, “Oriental Garden”, “Herb and Spice Garden”, and “Creating Paradise”. These plots feature a visual treat filled with innovative ideas towards building futuristic gardens.
HortPark’s innovation as a gardening hub is commendable, a step forward towards encouraging more people towards being environmentally friendly amidst urbanisation. All in all, it is a place highly recommendable for families to visit and have a fun time together!
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More pictures of plants I took: