HortPark is a gardener’s wonderland. Filled with themed garden plots that showcase different flora possibilities, it is park filled with inspiration for those with green fingers.
Even if you aren’t a budding gardener, a stroll through HortPark provides a sensorial experience with plenty of things to see and appreciate. For families, there is the HortPark playground too
HortPark, the gardening hub, is divided into five zones: the Ornamental Zone, Community Gardening Zone, Tranquility Zone, Exploratory Zone and Streets of Singapore Walk. Here are some gardens – specially curated plots – that you can look out for on a visit to HortPark.
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Gardens to Visit at HortPark
1. English Garden
At HortPark’s visitor centre, known as HortCentre, are two small themed gardens. One is styled as a formal English Garden. Before venturing out into the rest of Hortpark, “swing” by here for a quick snap with the brightly coloured murals of the flora and fauna at HortPark.
2. Beginner-Friendly Garden
If you are thinking of taking up gardening as a hobby, this garden features low-maintenance starter plants that will hopefully give you some inspiration to start your gardening journey.
Step through the archways and get ready to embark on your green journey.
3. Horticulture Introduction Garden
This HortPark garden houses uncommon plant cultivars that are rarely seen locally.
4. Scented Garden
Take a stroll along winding paths lined with an array of fragrant flowers and plants exuding delightful scents. There is also a table and seats within the garden where you can pause to enjoy the tranquility of the Scented Garden.
5. My Backyard Kitchen
This garden plot is based on the idea of the backyard garden being an extension of the kitchen. It showcases edibles that are used in the preparation of snack, beverages and desserts.
6. Therapeutic Garden @ HortPark
Exposure to greenery has benefits to a person’s mental and physical health. These benefits are reinforced at HortPark’s Therapeutic Garden. This area consists of several areas including a display plot and a trellis area. The restorative zone has a smaller version of the Gardens’ iconic white bandstand.
7. Butterfly Garden
The Butterfly Garden is planted with plants that attract butterflies. Pay it a visit to learn about the role that butterflies play in the eco-system.
Find out more about all the butterfly gardens in Singapore.
8. OSSEA Orchid Garden
If you love orchids, don’t forget to stop by the OSSEA Orchid Garden close to the Butterfly Garden where you can view blooms like the Vanda Miss Joaquim. OSSEA stands for the Orchid Society of South East Asia and it was originally founded in 1928 as the Malayan Orchid Society.
At this Orchid Garden, you can view a variety of orchids and get some inspiration for your own home garden.
9. Nature Playgarden
The HortPark Nature Playgarden is intended for preschoolers and provides them with a chance to engage with nature and the outdoors, and natural materials. This was the first nature playgarden in Singapore.
10. Native Garden
Also within HortPark is Native Garden. This holds a collection of more than 100 plants local to Singapore. Look out for the bee hotels littered throughout the Native Garden.
11. Rock Garden
Located across the main path from the HortPark children’s playground, the Rock Garden is named after the rocky path which creates a small loop around the little alcove. Even though small, it is filled with interesting and unusual looking plants waiting to be discovered.
HortPark Playground
In addition to the various gardens, HortPark also has a playground with a variety of play equipment for kids.
Amongst these are a play structure for young children, a climbing frame that was once located at National Museum of Singapore, and a little mound with a slide.
We think that the HortPark playground is a highly underrated playground with so many fun features for children to play with.
Singa the Lion also makes an appearance at the HortPark children’s playground, with some words of wisdom on the value of being kind.
More Things to Do at Hort Park
Streets of Singapore Walk
While at HortPark, keep an eye out for trees from the Streets of Singapore Walk. Marked out with signboards, the walk features 15 trees that have lent their names to places and roads in Singapore. These include the Keranji, Tempines and Tamarind trees.
HortLawn
HortPark has various indoor and outdoor event spaces. The HortLawn is a popular spot for outdoor wedding ceremonies.
14. HortHouse
On the other side of the carpark stood a quaint building that resembled a 1930s cottage. This is HortHouse – a training centre for the Centre for Urban Greenery and Ecology. This building used to be the staff quarters of the former Federated Malayan States Railway. It is also part of the Queenstown Heritage Trail.
Dining at HortPark
Canopy Cafe
Canopy at HortPark is an all-day, family-friendly garden cafe.
Vineyard at HortPark
There is also a French-Italian restaurant, Vineyard at HortPark’s HortCentre.
Other Useful Things to Know about HortPark
Gardeners’ Day Out, a gardening event organised by NParks, is regularly held at the HortPark’s HortCentre.
There are vending machines with drinks and snacks at HortCentre and at the Hands-on House close to the Therapeutic Garden.
HortPark
From HortPark, you can also connect to Kent Ridge Park from the western side of the park.
Address: 33 Hyderabad Road, Singapore 119578
Opening Hours: 6 am to 11 pm, daily
Visit the NParks’ HortPark website
