The ninth edition of the Singapore Garden Festival (SGF) has kicked off at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, showcasing the horticultural talents of community gardeners from across the island. This year’s festival is a vibrant celebration of community spirit, creativity, and sustainability, highlighted by the Singapore Gardeners’ Cup.
South East District Takes the Crown
The spotlight of the event was the South East district, whose “Funtastical Forest” garden display not only won the prestigious Best of Show award but also secured a Gold award. This enchanting display featured a fantasy forest with an upside-down tank, aquarium, paludarium, and terrariums, demonstrating innovative ways to create a miniature forest at home.
Community Efforts in the Limelight
Over 200 community gardeners participated in the Singapore Gardeners’ Cup, contributing five distinct garden displays. These displays were crafted with the theme “Botanical Fun,” emphasizing the integration of environmental sustainability through the use of upcycled materials such as aluminum cans and glass bottles.
Awards Ceremony
Ms. Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Finance & National Development, presented the awards. She also honored winners of the Community in Bloom Garden of the Year Awards 2024, further celebrating the community’s dedication to enhancing Singapore’s green spaces.
Festival Highlights
The SGF 2024 marks its first full-scale return since 2018, featuring popular competitions such as the Best of Show Designer Gardens Competition, Balcony Gardens Competition, Floral Table-Top Competition, and a refreshed Floral Windows to the World Championship. The festival attracts thousands of local and international visitors, solidifying its reputation as a premier garden and flower show globally.
Engaging Displays and Activities
Visitors to the festival can explore stunning garden and floral displays on Level 6 of Suntec Singapore Convention Centre, created by both international and local designers. Level 4 offers a wide array of creative displays by community gardeners, student competitions, and special exhibitions.
Student Competitions
The festival also fosters a love for floristry and landscape design among students through various competitions. Notable among them is the Landscape Design Challenge, where students from tertiary institutions showcase their horticulture and design skills.
The Floral Harmony competition, led by Qihua Primary School, features over 45 youth and children presenting their floral arrangement talents.
Non-competitive Showcases
The festival includes several non-competitive showcases such as the lush greenery display by the Singapore Gardening Society, the Celestial Garden by Ikebana International Singapore Chapter 135, and the immersive Learning Garden by City Sprouts. These displays offer visitors a chance to appreciate the beauty of nature and the creativity of local gardening enthusiasts.
Sustainable Floral Fashion
A unique highlight is the eco-conscious showcase by students from ITE College Central, who have created floral wearable pieces using fresh flowers, plants, and repurposed materials. This display emphasizes sustainable fashion, illustrating the students’ creativity and commitment to environmental conservation.
MarketPlace
For those looking to bring a piece of the festival home, the MarketPlace features over 70 retailers offering plants, gardening wares, trinkets, and collectibles. Visitors can also vote for their favorite displays, with a chance to win a two-night stay at Pan Pacific Singapore.
Running until August 11, 2024, at Suntec Singapore, the Singapore Garden Festival is a testament to the vibrant gardening culture and community spirit in Singapore.
