Singapore Story Part 2 - Botanical Inspiration

The personal highlight for me on our family holiday to Singapore was visiting Gardens by the Bay. I was utterly entranced by the beautiful array of botanical specimens jammed into the two large conservatory domes. If I didn't have my family with me I could easily have spent weeks in there sketching and painting away to my heart's content but I had to make do with taking tons of reference photos to come back and appreciate later. 

Lush stems of Kangaroo Paw - each flower stem was jam packed with buds, the specimens obviously thriving in the glasshouse environment

Just look at the mass of clustered kangaroo paws! Amazing... 

I loved the beautiful purple and minty green tones of this specimen of Kangaroo Paw

Beautiful purple crysanthanum balls. 

Gardens by the Bay also had a wide range of interesting animal inspired art installations to admire.

Foxgloves are one of my childhood favourite plants, I was always attracted by their textures, colours and bell shapes as they nodded along in woodland glens. 

How beautiful is this creamy white fuchsia - they are more commonly seen in their bright colours but I love the gentle tones of this particular specimen 

A relative of the geranium? I like the ivy leafed variegated leaves of this specimen.

As part of the special exhibition currently on there was fields of Blushing Bride's - heartbreakingly beautiful and so lovely to see a variety of colours and shapes as well. 

Blushing Brides are part of the protea family. 

These Fireworks Proteas are beautiful. 

I love how these plants are pushing out of the stone frame, jostling each other for prime position.

A visit to Singapore wouldn't be complete without admiring the beautiful Singapore Orchids, available in a seemingly infinite variety of colours and textures. 

This Singapore Orchid specimen has a beautiful magenta and white tones to it, softer and less mottled then its neighbour above. 

In the Cloud Dome at Gardens by the Bay there is this amazing wall of different tropical plants. I am just completely fascinated by the variety of leaf types on display. Even in this small little rectangle of space there is such a wide array. Broad leaves, narrow leaves, purples, pale greens, dark greens, pointed shapes and round shapes, mottled textures and crisp colours. 

I have no idea what this specimen is but it looks like the mane of a dragon to me. 

These orchids have a beautiful creamy orange colour with little blushes of soft pink. 

Orchids peek out of mossy walls, broad ferns grow tall and proud in the cool of the Sky Dome

Look at the deep pink red colour of these textured and ruffle edged leaves. 

I love these spotty leaves - they look like they should be the perfect inspiration for a catwalk haute couture collection by a top fashion designer. 

These small delicate orchids were tucked away in a corner, shy and beautiful.

I love how these leaves cascade over each other in layers of ruffled variegated beauty. 

A variety of leaves and small flowers cram in together. I particularly like these round stripey ones in the middle.

I like the dark gothic purple leaves tucked into the back behind the other leaves. My sister-in-law meanwhile loved the pop of bright red flowers at the bottom. 

These windows through the wall of the sky dome offer a glimpse from the inside through to the botanical mass on the other side, a little atmospheric mist just added to the feeling of wonder.

Look closely at the textures of these ferns -the little stripes patterns peppering their surface. 

Just look at this cluster of spectacular orchids. 

A mass of tubular plants that remind me of Venus Fly Traps cluster enmass together at the edge of the pond along with moss and lichen varieties. 

Large plants burst out amongst the smaller plants, just adding to the drama of the display. 

These green leaves have a fascinating texture - almost like the scales of a reptile. 

Soft delicate fern leaves hang infront of a backdrop of falling water. 

Outside the rest of the gardens continue to offer interesting foliage delights. 

I hope you enjoyed this show of botanical beauty. If your in Singapore I recommend visiting the Gardens by the Bay and experiencing the awe for yourself. http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en.html