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What is an orchid?

Singapore, Malaysia

What is an orchid?

The National Orchid Garden stands as one of Singapore’s most celebrated botanical attractions, seamlessly blending scientific rigour with aesthetic grandeur. Situated within the sprawling grounds of the Singapore Botanic Gardens—a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015—the garden was conceived as a t

ribute to the delicate yet resilient beauty of orchids, flowers that have long captivated botanists, artists, and collectors around the globe. Officially opened on 20 October 1995, the garden was inaugurated by then-Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew, whose visionary leadership laid the groundwork for Singapore’s transformation into a ‘City in a Garden.’ Under his guidance, the orchid garden emerged not merely as a horticultural showcase but as a living symbol of national pride, environmental stewardship, and international collaboration in plant conservation. The garden’s collections are meticulously curated, housing over a thousand species and hybrid varieties, including the famed Vanda Miss Joaquim—the national orchid of Singapore. Each cultivar is displayed with scholarly precision, supported by interpretive panels that educate visitors on the intricacies of orchid taxonomy, pollination ecology, and the evolutionary adaptations that make these plants so extraordinary. Beyond its scientific mission, the National Orchid Garden offers serene walking paths shaded by mature dipterocarp trees, tranquil lakeside vistas, and seasonal blooms that shift in colour and fragrance throughout the ye

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