BUTTERFLY GARDEN

HortPark's new theme garden 'Butterfly Garden' opens yesterday.

They have two locally extinct species of butterflies on display. Come visit the garden to see some 20 species of butterflies within an enclosed area.

This is the only time when you can really get up close and personal with the butterflies.

GOLDEN HILL

The hills are alive!

I mentioned in an earlier post that the Tembusu trees are in their flowering season now.

Just look at the yellow patches in the canopy layer and you can tell straightaway where the Tembusu trees are. Seldom have I seen such a sight where all Tembusus are in such a spectacular bloom islandwide.

Wow, such is the beauty of nature!

THREE WHITE AND A PINK

Such large petaled variety of Japanese Roses are uncommon and they seemed to come in few coloured varieties only.

Don't you sometimes wonder why nature produces flowers in such varied forms? What is the purpose? Does it help in survival of the species?

GARDENIA

It is not often that we can capture such a pristine shot of a Gardenia flower, which looks almost like a white rose!

It looks so refreshingly white, pure and clean. It's a masterpiece of the plant world.

LITTLE SPARROW

I love sparrows and seldom see them around these days. Though not as beautiful as robins in the northern hemisphere, with their black cheek patches, they looked so so adorable.

I guess their habitats and food sources are disturbed by other bigger birds such as mynahs and crows to the extent that their population is dwindling.
I just hope there won't come a day when they become extinct.

DEATH OF COMMON ROSE

I cannot imagine what you must have gone through before you gave up and life seeped away from you.
It must have been real hard trying to squeeze yourself through the case and at the same time, pump blood to your wings.

Even before your life began, it ended. I will give you a good burial to honour your death. Good bye, my little friend.

IMPATIENS

I love Impatiens but always have problems growing them for long.

This beautiful clump of variegated petaled impatiens caught my eye and whilst it does not have as many flowers as the commonly sold impatiens, it looks vigorous enough to be cultivated here.

Another lovely plant brightens my day!

FICUS VACCINOIDES

This is a different and uncommon species of Ficus from those that you commonly find on our pedestrian overhead bridges and retaining walls.

It does not seemed to creep up walls as well but has interesting small reddish fruits.

I think it looks nice if planted in small containers.

TEMBUSU

It is the Tembusu flowering season again. Everywhere you go, you are likely to see the Tembusu trees in flower and fruiting.

Walking underneath them is an enjoyable experience as you get to breathe in a whiff of their fragrance.

Do you know the red berries are relished by some birds?

RED FLAME

The Red Flame is so pretty when it is in bloom. I couldn't help but took a snapshot of this beautiful and spectacular tree.

It used to be more common along roadsides but due to the soft branches, they were removed from many sites.

What a pity! Are all beautiful things flawed in a certain way, I wonder?