Gardens by the Bay commemorates history of local orchid hybrids with new display

Being one of the largest exporters of orchids in the past, Singapore’s local orchid industry is estimated to be a multi-million dollar one.

In a bid to showcase the rich history behind this industry, Gardens by the Bay has launched Orchid Stories of Singapore, just in time for the nation’s 57th birthday. 

Held at the Gardens by the Bay Cloud Forest, the orchid display aims to capture the island’s long love affair with orchids, through a showcase of more than 40 local and regional orchid hybrids whose lineages come from Singapore hybrids. 

Storyboards detailing how orchids became intertwined with Singapore’s history, culture and economy will be showcased at the display. 

Highlights of the display include the national flower Vanda Miss Joaquim, the Papilionanda (Vanda) Tan Chay Yan, which won a First Class Certificate at the Chelsea Flower Show in 1954 and the Aranda Noorah Alsagoff, prized for its floral arrangement.

Describing the significance of the display, Gardens by the Bay CEO Felix Loh said: “This is a part of Singapore’s heritage that we feel all Singaporeans should be proud of, and as a local icon, Gardens by the Bay would like to share this with the rest of the world.”

The Orchid Stories of Singapore display will run daily till Sep 4, from 9am to 9pm. It is located at the Cloud Forest attraction at Gardens by the Bay.

Admission into the Cloud Forest is $12 for adults and $8 for children and senior citizens. Tickets can be purchased here.