In the futuristic park "Gardens by the Bay," one of the world`s most grandiose engineering and botanical wonders soars under a transparent sky – the "Flower Dome" greenhouse. This is not just a greenhouse, but an entire continent housed under a glass roof, where eternal spring reigns and plant treasures from five continents are gathered. It is the world`s largest column-free glass dome, recognized by the Guinness World Records.
Construction and Architecture: A Masterpiece of Sustainable Development
The Flower Dome was officially opened in 2012 as part of the Singapore government`s large-scale project to transform the "Garden City" into a "City in a Garden." Its creation is a response to the challenges of the tropical climate, allowing the cultivation of plants from cool and dry regions of the world.
Dimensions: The grandeur of the structure is astounding. The dome covers an area of 1.2 hectares (approximately 16,000 square meters), and its height reaches 38 meters. Several airplanes could easily fit under its vaults.
Engineering: The dome`s structure is column-free—there is not a single column inside, creating a sense of spaciousness and lightness. A special glass coating filters excess solar radiation, and a complex climate control system maintains the ideal cool temperature for plants (23-25°C) and low humidity, creating a pleasant oasis amidst Singapore`s tropical heat.
A Journey Across Continents: The Main Sections of the Greenhouse
The Flower Dome is divided into several thematic zones, or "gardens," which flow smoothly into one another, creating a unified yet incredibly diverse landscape.
The Mediterranean Garden:
This is the heart of the greenhouse. Here grow centuries-old olive trees (Olea europaea), some of which are over a thousand years old. Their whimsically curved, gnarled trunks are living monuments to history. Alongside them stand cypress trees, while lavender and rosemary bloom, filling the air with their healing aroma.
The Succulent Garden & The South American Garden:
This zone amazes with its surreal forms. It houses one of the world`s finest collections of succulents and cacti. Giant Saguaro cacti (Carnegiea gigantea), resembling multi-armed guardians, stand alongside delicate aloe, spiky agaves, and bizarre euphorbias taking on the most incredible shapes.
The Flower Field:
This is a constantly changing exhibition and the hallmark of the dome. A giant flowerbed, located directly under the vault, is replanted several times a year, creating stunning floral compositions. Depending on the season, you can see a sea of tulips, poppies, daisies, primroses, or dahlias. It is always a bright and photogenic spectacle.
The Baobab Grove:
One of the most impressive zones. The massive, seemingly inside-out trunks of baobabs (Adansonia) create the sensation of being transported to the African savanna. These trees, known as the "tree of life," astonish with their monumentality and ability to store thousands of liters of water in their trunks.
The Australian Garden:
Here you can get acquainted with the unique flora of the Green Continent. Towering eucalyptus trees with their characteristic scent, peculiar grass trees (Xanthorrhoea), and delicate dendrobium orchids demonstrate the amazing adaptation of plants to arid conditions.
The Scented Garden:
A zone created for enjoyment not only visually but also olfactorily. Here, plants with strong and pleasant fragrances are gathered: jasmine, gardenias, sweet peas, and a variety of aromatic herbs.
The Most Interesting Trees and Flowers
• Century-Old Olives: The true patriarchs of the dome, whose silhouettes hold the memory of the Mediterranean.
• Bottle Tree (Brachychiton rupestris): A native of Australia, with a thick, swollen trunk that truly resembles a bottle, in which it stores water.
• Silver Tree (Leucadendron argenteum): A rare and beautiful plant from South Africa with soft, silvery leaves that sparkle in the sun.
• Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae): A bright orange-and-blue flower resembling the head of an exotic bird, also known as the "bird of paradise."
• Proteas: The national flower of South Africa, with large, artichoke-like inflorescences in incredible shades from pink to crimson.
The Flower Dome is a place where the boundaries between continents and seasons blur, where you can walk among the cacti of Arizona, relax in the shade of an African baobab, and inhale the scent of Provencal lavender all in one day, without ever leaving Singapore.
