A waterfall at the entrance to the garden.

I recently visited the National Orchid Garden of Singapore, an unusual garden, where orchids are bedded out as if they were annuals. The orchid family Orchidaceae is probably the largest family of flowering plants with an estimated 25,000-30,000 species. They occupy almost every habitat, but are mostly tropical and epiphytic, perching on forest trees for support only. I grow them indoors but had never seen them planted in gardens.

Orchids bloom on top of a wall.

The garden is laid out with winding paths and luxurious plantings.One of the design features is an enormous yellow cage filled with plants waiting for visitors to walk in. It gave a new meaning to being  captivated by flowers. I couldn’t resist having my picture taken there. Did that make me a prisoner of love?

  

 

 

A giant walk-in birdcage sits next to a path.

I was kidnapped by orchids.

The VIP section showcases new introductions, named for well-know people. Among the new orchids are ones named for Nelson Mandella and Margaret Thatcher.

Nelson Mandela orchid

Margaret Thatcher orchid

The orchidarium, a shade house, simulates the natural environment where the majority of the world species grow.

It only seems right that orchids are set on a pedestal.

One of my favorite designs was the arches of orchids that we walked through as we left the garden. They caused me to linger.

This is what it means to be surrounded by orchids.