Tiger, Tiger, Blooming Bright

Just like the sparkling eyes of a tiger in the dark, the tiger orchid in full bloom is definitely a show stopper. Although it had become extinct in the wilder parts of Singapore, the tiger orchid can soon be seen again on Orchard Road as part of the Singapore Garden Festival (SGF).

The tiger orchid, also known as Grammatophyllum speciosum, is the world’s largest orchid plant. Together with 175 out of the 226 orchid species that are native to Singapore, it had become extinct mainly due to habitat loss. However, with the painstaking efforts put in by the National Parks Board (NParks), the tiger orchid will now become the first native orchid plant to be re-introduced to Orchard Road.

Tiger, tiger, burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
William Blake, ‘The Tiger’

For the past 10 years, NParks has been working conscientiously on an orchid conservation and reintroduction programme, aimed at propagating and re-introducing native orchid species into natural, semi-natural, and urban environments.

The results have been encouraging. When the programme first started, some 3,000 plants of five native species were planted, with a modest number of seedlings planted each year. Now, more than 80 percent of the orchids planted on trees in parks and nature areas have survived. In time, these orchids will self propagate.

On 14 May 2010, the tiger orchid plant was planted on a yellow flame tree just outside the TANGS store along bustling Orchard Road by Clarins’ Chairman Mr Christian Courtin-Clarins, TANGS CEO Mr Foo Tiang Sooi, and Director of the Singapore Garden Festival (SGF), Dr Wong Wei Har.

How Can We Take Part?


The Orchid Conservation Fund aims to raise some $250,000 that will be used to support various orchid conservation activities. An orchid can be planted with a donation of $50 and above. To contribute to the growing number of orchids, visit the website www.gardencityfund.org to make a donation.
The planting of this orchid on Orchard Road also marked the launch of the Orchid Conservation Fund, introduced by the Garden City Fund (GCF), NParks’ registered charity and an Institute of Public Character (IPC). Clarins and Tangs contributed $5,000 each to help the Orchid Conservation Fund get off to a blooming start.

“Orchids are a big part of our national heritage. The launch of the Orchid Conservation Fund goes a long way in allowing us to take the necessary steps to conserve native species of orchids, and to provide us with the opportunity to introduce more species of orchids into the Singapore Cityscape,” said Dr Wong Wei Har.

Starting from early 2010, NParks is reintroducing two new native species every year for the next three years. These native species will be planted at locations with the right environmental conditions, and where people can see and appreciate their beauty. These areas will include parks and nature areas, and even along tourist corridors like Napier Road, Holland Road and the East Coast Park Expressway near the budget terminal.

For those who cannot wait for the tiger orchids to bloom and who are eager to catch a glimpse of more native orchids, do visit the Singapore Orchid Show, held in conjunction with the Singapore Garden Festival from 15 to 22 July at the Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Visit www.singaporegardenfestival.com for more details and ticket purchases.

Best in Show gardens(2008): Fantasy Design category and Landscape Design category