Singapore Penjing & Stone Appreciation Society
President: Mdm Chua Kwei Foon - V. President: Lim Keow Wah
Members Meet in Singapore every Sunday 2 to 6pm at 200 Turf Club Road,Turf City(near Car Park C), Singapore 287994. Tel: 65 97363710

Mr Lim Keow Wah's Homepage - Bonsai, Stones, Pots & Antiques
Mr Lim Keow Wah has taken up the hobby of Bonsai for about 20 years now. He is also a member (Vice-President) of the Singapore Penjing(Bonsai) & Stone Appreciation Society, and has conducted classes on Bonsai.

Bonsai on Kusu Island

Kusu means "turtle" and there are several legends surrounding Kusu Island and turtles rescuing shipwrecked sailors. There's a great old temple here (Tua Pekong Temple) that acts as a turtle sanctuary. They also have several gigantic snakes and a fine collection of Bonsai trees. Kusu and St John's are two of the 60 isles that belong to Singapore. There is a ferry that travels around Sentosa Island and 40 minutes later stops at Kusu, then takes 15 minutes to reach St John's before returning to the World Trade Centre.
Taoists make an annual pilgrimage to the Tua Pekong Temple during the ninth lunar month, cramming themselves onto tiny Kusu. (Don't even think of visiting Kusu Island during this, the first visitors are up at the ferry terminals before dawn, they aren't called devotees for nothing)

The Yun Xiu Yuan (Garden of Beauty) 

The Yun Xiu Yuan is a Suzhou style penjing garden located on the grounds of the Chinese garden. One of the gardeners said the collection contains over a thousand Bonsai, a figure I can agree with. These are nearly all tropical specimens (Singapore is at 1 degree N latitude and the weather was certainly tropical 30C and humid). The Bonsai on display were from China, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. There were many podacarpus and many ficus species (you would go crazy over the aerial roots). The two species I found extremely intriguing were Baeckia frutescenes which looks a lot like a Cedrus libani and Pemphis acidula which has a marvelous small leaf and crusty black and white bark. There was also a near ultimate escape tree a ficus where the roots had gotten out of the pot, down over the stone stand, and into the ground the tree is still well trained.

 

Japanese Gardens of Singapore

Opened in 1973 to create a space of beauty in an increasingly crowded Singapore, this 32-acre Japanese-style garden is larger than any on the island of Japan. These picturesque gardens were constructed in the style reminiscent of a period approximately 800 years ago, during which Japanese gardening artistry was at its height. A Zen Buddhist state of peace and simplicity are produced by the quiet and serenity of the gardens. A minimalist attitude is also reflected, with shrubs representing mountains, and with changing views along the broad, landscaped garden paths. The water elements include a small and large pond, over which traditional bridges transport visitors from a guest house on one island, to a summer house on the other. A conspicuous wisteria trellis adorns the southern shore of the small pond.

The Chinese and Japanese Gardens are located at Jurong Park Yuan, Ching Road, Singapore - Phone: 65-264-3455

The Bonsai Garden - Hua Yi Secondary School
Every Hua Yi student is taught to appreciate Bonsai culture. The 30 year old bonsai garden is in fact the pride of the school and is integrated into the school's character development programme to help students cultivate patience and perseverance.
Located at 60, Jurong West, Street 42, Singapore (649371)

Candy Greenhouse and Flowers Pte Ltd - Upper Thompson Rd
An area which has nursery plants and nursery items also have some Bonsai. A short walk through this limited area will provide an idea of the quality and species of trees available. The best bonsai nursery was in this area and is part of a business specializing in cut flowers. The bonsai, numbering in the hundreds, are a hobby of the owner. The sizes range from trees taller than a man (six man bonsai) to those which will easily fit into the palm of a hand . The director, Ms. Sharon Goh, is very pleasant and a delight to chat with.
Candy Greenhouse is located at 567 Thomson Road, Singapore 298183; Tel 256-6788 - open 7:30am - 6pm

Cheng Tai Nursery - 51 Sungei Tengah Rd, Choa Chu Kang
Large Bonsai and Pots for sale, they are happy for you to browse and photo Bonsai - ask for Andrew - MRT to Choa Chu Kang then get Bus #175
located at - 51 Sungei Tengah Rd, Choa Chu Kang, Singapore 298183; - Tel: 67653333 - open 8am - 6pm

Gardens of Singapore

Singapore has labeled itself "The Garden City," and has worked hard to live up to its slogan. Although this Asian metropolis is intensely crowded, gardens and parks may be seen throughout the city. These green areas, which contain trees and foliage imported from around the world, soften the edges of the many concrete structures in this tiny but well-populated island. Thanks to Singapore's hot, tropical climate, its garden areas bloom year-round, offering a perpetual spectrum of bright flowers and vibrant greenery.

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Are an extensive collection of local and imported trees, shrubs and plants as well as special and rare collections of certain species of flora grouped together: orchid garden, rose garden, and Bonsai garden. Currently, the bonsai display in the Gardens is located around the Bandstand and comprises of specimens ranging from tropical to sub-tropical species and varieties.

Located at Cluny Road, phone 470-7100. Open daily sunrise to sunset, Entrance free

Other Parks and Gardens in Singapore are Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Mandai Orchid Gardens, Sungei Buloh Nature Park, East Coast Park, Fort Canning Park, Marina City Park and Mount Faber.

Chinatown

Here in Chinatown merchants engage in business from the ground floor of quaint pre-war shophouses much as they have for generations. Herbal medicine centres mix exotic ingredients in potions for all ailments; traditional delicacies like sea cucumbers lie drying in the street; fruit sellers squat near mounds of seasonal fruits; roadside letter-writers oblige illiterate customers; hawkers grill pork for passers-by over home-made barbecues. Here, bargains abound. There are gorgeously embroidered silk kimonos, gold jewellery, t-shirts and casual clothing at hard-to-believe prices, pottery and porcelain and everything from woks and traditional crafts to shiny modern souvenirs.

12-22 Nov Flower Market - Albert Mall is transformed into a garden for 11 days. The fair includes sales and exhibitions of orchids, lotus, bonsai and tropical plants.

The lonely Planet - Very good online guide on Singapore

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