In one of the two large cooled conservatories in the Gardens by the Bay is a huge mountain. This is covered in various ferns, orchids, begonias and a whole host of other plants to create a massive living wall.
On entering the Cloud Forest Conservatory (Cool-Moist) you are welcomed by what is claimed to be the tallest indoor waterfall in the world, (and who am I to argue!), casting a welcome cooling spray to make a change from the heat outside. Coming from the UK where we normally associate glasshouses with heat it is strange to enter one that is air conditioned.
Once you are back on the ground you emerge into a subterranean world with another waterfall and cool shady plants thriving in the misty conditions.
The cool conservatory as a garden still feels in its infancy (as does much of the Gardens by the Bay), however it is still an amazing space. It would be good if more plants were labelled, however as it matures the lack of labels may well work to its benefit and make it feel like a very convincing escape into the cloud forest. I'd love to be able to go back in a few years time and take another look.
Gaz
See also:
Succulents in the Flower Dome
Supertrees at Night
On entering the Cloud Forest Conservatory (Cool-Moist) you are welcomed by what is claimed to be the tallest indoor waterfall in the world, (and who am I to argue!), casting a welcome cooling spray to make a change from the heat outside. Coming from the UK where we normally associate glasshouses with heat it is strange to enter one that is air conditioned.
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| How's that for a dramatic welcome! |
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| As you look up the Tower is covered in a cascade of plants. There are also numerous places to climb up to (or take the elevator!) for a view. |
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| Another viewing spot taken from the ground. In places the plants have not yet fully knitted together, I would imagine in another year or so there will be no space between them. |
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| Throughout were a series of carved statues. I would love something like these in our garden! |
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| Clinging on! |
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| Bromeliads clinging to the 'cliff' walls. |
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| A view of the walkways. The mountain itself is hollow with stairs, lifts and elevators within to take you up and down the various levels. Within the mountain were a number of displays, although we found these to be a bit of a wasted opportunity rather than being particularly engaging. |
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| The source of the waterfall, not a great view if you are scared of heights! |
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| Tree ferns and other trees, everything is still establishing as the Garden only opened last year. I would imagine this will look even more spectacular as the plants establish. |
I must admit the architecture of the building interested me as much as the plants. The walkways will eventually be in the tree tops but for now you can admire the planted cliff faces.
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| Marina Bay Sands Hotel. Yes that really is a giant 'boat' on top of the three towers. We visited the observation deck at the 'bow' on a separate day, and the views over the city beyond as well as the gardens are stunning. |
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| View of some of the Supertrees outside the conservatory. (see here for the Supertrees at night) |
Once you reach the top of the mountain they have created a plateau with a small pool, and numerous orchids.
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| Paphiopedilum sp. |
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| I want!!!! |
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| The misters gave everything a dramatic feel |
The cool conservatory as a garden still feels in its infancy (as does much of the Gardens by the Bay), however it is still an amazing space. It would be good if more plants were labelled, however as it matures the lack of labels may well work to its benefit and make it feel like a very convincing escape into the cloud forest. I'd love to be able to go back in a few years time and take another look.
Gaz
See also:
Succulents in the Flower Dome
Supertrees at Night
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
What an incredible indoor garden! Thanks for all your great pics.
ReplyDeleteIt is incredible indeed Alison, the mountain is a sight to behold the moment you walk in that dome :)
DeleteHi Gaz, oh my gosh, that is truly the most fascinating conservatory that I have ever seen! Thank you so much for the tour! These walkways that seem to be magically floating through the space, completely mind-bogling. It must be great to see the plants from that perspective. I can't help but ask myself the question what that place might have cost to build...
ReplyDeleteChristina
Hi Christina, they've done a fantastic job conceptualizing and building the conservatories, they are both colossal! The mountain with the walkways looks like a set for a sci-fi film. I haven't checked yet how much building this attraction cost but I know the complex is not even finished yet.... :)
DeleteWhat a huge glass house! Thanks for letting us visit vicariously through you! The statuary is way cool!
ReplyDeletePeter, colossal is the word that came to mind the moment we saw them from a distance, even more so when we actually got in! :)
DeleteWell that's just crazy! I might not have been able to stand the heights, but the views would certainly have been a big pay-off. I wonder how exactly they care for all of those plants?
ReplyDeleteHi Loree, it's not too bad up there, the walkways are wide and feels very solid and fortunately the grating of the walkway itself are not widely space so as to see what's below when you walk on it. The mountain itself are all rigged up constant irrigation, mister, air conditioning etc. Not sure how they tidy up individual plants though, possibly by scaffolding and rappelling, etc. Now that would be another interesting thing to see! :)
DeleteHuge place, unbelievable ! Thanks for the pictures and tour !
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome pivi :) The place is colossal!
DeleteEeek, not sure my comment made it through the ether, so just in case:
ReplyDeleteGoodness, they really know how to do things on an impressive scale, don't they. What an amazing place - I love those walkways. Thanks for the tour, wish I could see it in person!
Those walkways are good fun Janet :) Good for Singapore to have such a huge attraction, they need it to further cement their place on the tourism niche.
DeleteZowie! These guys really have a flair for the dramatic statement! I'm not sure how much I actually like it, but one can not help but be impressed.
ReplyDeleteThe sheer size of the place is dramatic isn't it ricki? :)
DeleteFantastic photos. Some of those shots had to be amazing to see in person and I love that is gives you places to see everything from above.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
Indeed Cher, it's even more amazing in person :)
DeleteI like that spot where you took the first pic but not from those bridges. The bridges were too high for me... gosh it was a frightening experience for me hehe...
ReplyDeleteThe walkways are good fun Stephanie, just don't look down when up there, just straight on :)
DeleteLove the statues! And wow! That mountain! What an architectural achievement! When you explained that eventually the walkway will be in the treetops, I gasped. How thrilling that will be. It will make the walkways look less sci-fi, too. And with the sound of the water, the mist rising up, and being able to glimpse the water falling as you walk along - it will be magical! Very impressive.
ReplyDeleteWould love to visit again in a few years time when the attraction has had time to mature planting wise, I can imagine it will only get better :)
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