Visitors to the Singapore Botanic Gardens will now be able to enjoy an aromatic experience with the planting of the new Fragrant Garden. Located at the Central Core of the Gardens (enter via red brick path, next to Healing Garden), the 1-hectare Fragrant Garden is planted with over 30 species of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants with either fragrant leaves, flowers, fruits, or rhizomes. Some of the fragrant blooms attract butterflies and visitors will be able to spot the colourful winged insects fluttering amongst the plants in the day.
Many of the plants give off their scents in the evenings, and a new boardwalk was developed and beautifully lit at night to enhance the visitors’ experience at Fragrant Garden. The boardwalk overlooks a collection of trees in the valley, including two charming old Baobab trees, and a variety of pines, casuarinas and fruit trees.
More than 100 fragrant plant species will be added to the collection to enhance visitors’ enjoyment of the Garden. The Magnolia x alba, commonly known as the Chempaka Putih or White Champak is one such example. The flowers produce a sweet strong fragrance, similar to that of Juicyfruit gum. Released in the early hours of the day, it lasts all day long. Various uses for its scent can be found in the perfume industry and cosmetics. The White Champak is also the city flower of Shanghai, China.
