Singapore - XINHUA
A giant floral chandelier, which is believed to be the world's largest of its kind, was put up ahead of the upcoming Singapore Garden Festival (SGF) on Friday.
The floral chandelier, hanging from a height of 13 metres, measures about 17 meters by 10 meters. It is made from over 60,000 flowers, and will be displayed at Marina Square Atrium until April 3 2016.
It was put together by Lawrence Wong, minister for National Development and 260 students, community gardeners, corporate volunteers and NParks staff over five days.
This year's Singapore Garden Festival, which is set to be the largest edition, will return for its sixth edition from July 23 to 31, marking 10 years since it started in 2006.
SGF on Friday also launched the "Adopt-A-Plant" initiative to encourage a love for gardening among Singaporeans, and inspire the community to co-create the city in a garden.
Between April 1 to May 28, more than 8,000 plants will be put up for adoption at various spots including Marina Square, Raffles Place Park, Singapore Botanic Gardens. A variety of plant species will be distributed, including the peace lily, painted net-leaf and variegated peperomia.
During the festival, visitors can look forward to taking in the best of tropical horticulture and floral artistry spread across 9.7 hectares at Gardens by the Bay -- almost double the size of the 5-hectare showground in 2014.
Popular highlights such as the landscape and fantasy gardens, balcony gardens, floral windows to the world and gardeners's cup will also return this year, according to the organiser.
"Hope that this year's SGF will continue to inspire more people to develop a passion for gardening and all things green. Then we will not only flourish as a city in a garden, but also a city of gardeners and garden lovers," said Wong.