Through The Foliage: The Hidden Work To Keep Gardens By The Bay Running.

Discover the secrets behind the Gardens’s sustainability  where research and horticulture intertwine, ensuring the Gardens By The Bay vibrant existence.

The Cloud Forest, one of Garden by the Bay’s many exhibitions for visitors to explore. (PHOTO: TRAVEL WITH MERAKI)

In the warm afternoon light of Gardens By The Bay's indoor nursery, a skilled horticulturist tenderly nurtures a blooming dahlia. Her careful touch encourages vibrant  purple petals to unfold in this cool controlled environment. In this enclosed haven, commitment meets precision, crafting a space of beauty and innovation. Ms Sharifah Osman’s gentle touch creates a beautiful harmony in nature, turning every moment into a lovely floral masterpiece.

Into a Horticulturist's Life

At Gardens by the Bay, the sustainability of the various plant species remains top priority for the horticulturists. Their different job scopes, from plant production to florists, play a different role in ensuring the survivability of the gardens. For Ms Sharifah, she focuses on plant production.

Ms Syarifah, one of the Garden’s horticulturists who has been working here for over 10 years. (PHOTO: Tiffany Lim Zi Yan)

“In the morning, I will go and check the plants first. For example, since we are currently having the Dahlia shows, we have more dahlias growing in our cool greenhouses which I would check on their growth and plant stages to ensure they are healthy for display.” Said Ms Sharifah when asked what her daily life on the job was.

The Garden’s Plant Collection was recently expanded with additions ranging from the Striped Butterfly Plant, Upriver Orange Mangrove, and the Coastal Bodyarra. These new species were added with the aim to present ongoing efforts to present a greater diversity of plant species for improved visitor enjoyment.

Overcoming Challenges in the Job

Despite the fruitful role horticulturists play at Gardens By The Bay, difficulties and challenges still arise despite the deep knowledge and years of experience working at the gardens. For the horticulturist, it is the continual task to ensure plants thrive despite the garden's constantly shifting natural conditions.

“Even though we grow it (dahlias) every year, we still conduct trials for them, because we do face difficulties with a certain variety and cultivar, so every year we collect data and we will assess how we can grow it better the next year”.

Therefore, to overcome the challenge, the horticulture and research team of Gardens By The Bay conducts ongoing experiments and trials, meticulously collecting data each year to assess and enhance the cultivation of specific varieties and cultivars.

According to the Gardens By The Bay 2023 Annual Report, the team at the garden have progressed in plant production and propagation. Production has increased by 52.2%, with significant growth in both Bay South Garden and HortPark. Furthermore, their efforts have supported various displays and attractions from the staging of all 10 floral displays to providing plants for permanent displays like Floral Fantasy and Flower Dome, ensuring a vibrant ecosystem year-round.

On An Educational Standpoint

Gardens By The Bay has shown the public the vital role horticulturists play in sustaining its beauty and biodiversity. Collaborations with school programs such as the  Canberra Primary School's Global Sustainability Development Program, the Gardens has brought to light the vital role of horticulture in environmental stewardship. Through initiatives like augmented reality learning trails and educator workshops, students and visitors have gained insight into the unseen efforts that maintain the Gardens' botanical wonders.

“I’m moved by how realistic and imaginative the various exhibitions are. One of the notable exhibits was the dragon as they remind me of how a Disney movie would be like. Since I visit Gardens by the Bay on a yearly basis, I’ve come to see how much more innovative they’ve become with their exhibits over the years.” said Richard, a 63-years-old Visitor from Gardens By The Bay with his wife, Margeret when asked about his experience there.

By fostering a deeper connection between people and nature, Gardens By The Bay has inspired a profound appreciation for the horticulturists who have put in the hours. In showcasing the vital role of horticulturists, Gardens By The Bay serves as a beacon of education and environmental advocacy, guiding us towards a greener and more sustainable future.

Hidden behind the scenes at Gardens By The Bay, skilled horticulturists work tirelessly, delicately nurturing blossoming flowers with meticulous care. In this unseen sanctuary, dedication meets precision, weaving a space where beauty and innovation intertwine. Unnoticed by visitors, these horticulturists rhythmically tend to vibrant blooms, turning each moment into an exquisite thread that contributes to the captivating tapestry of floral artistry, essential to the operation of Gardens By The Bay.

As the sun sets at Gardens By The Bay, the horticulturists' commitment lives on, bringing the blossoms to life. Their unseen work keeps the garden vibrant, a quiet tribute to their ongoing efforts. It leaves behind a timeless charm, making the hidden work behind Gardens By The Bay unforgettable.

Gardens by the Bay is open from 5am-2am on Mondays to Sundays while the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest opens from 9am-9pm respectively. Lastly, for those interested in exploring Floral Fantasy, it is open from 10am-7pm daily.