LUMNITZERA LITTOREA

I planted this mangrove Lumnitzera (Family: Combretaceae) at the Discovery slope some time ago and I am always happy to see the vibrant clusters of red flowers.

MUCUNA BENNETTII

It has been some time since I last wrote about some uncommon or interesting plants in the Bay South garden.

If one looks at the first photo of the area near the koi pond, it is not surprising to miss an interesting sight that I want to draw attention to.

But if you look closely at one of the trellises that rises from the pond and goes over the footbridge that connects Colonial Garden (Heritage Gardens) and Discover Garden (World of Plants), you will notice a splash of fiery orange against a mass of green leaves. The colour reminds one of the flowers of Spathodea campanulata (Common Name: African Tulip; Family: Bignoniaceae) but a Spathodea it is most certainly not.

If you are able to look at the flowers closely, you will find that it is growing from the tropical woody vine commonly known as the Scarlet Jade Vine or New Guinea Creeper (Scientific Name: Mucuna bennettii; Family: Fabaceae), which is less common compared to the green Jade Vine (Scientific Name: Strongylodon macrobotrys). This highly sought after climber produces thick woody stems over time with clusters of foot long cascading inflorescences supporting crescent-shaped orange flowers which contrast brilliantly against the backdrop of green leaves, where each single leaf is individually made up of 3 separate leaflets.

In time to come, when this vine matures and covers the span of the footbridge, I am certain the blooming would be a more spectacular event not to be missed.

SECRET LIFE OF TREES AND PEACOCK PANSY

The Secret Life of Trees always gives me a pleasant surprise whenever I go there because there is always something flowering. The one shown here has beautiful white star-like flowers.

There are also pockets of green spaces here, such as the Discovery Garden area, where I have seen the Peacock Pansy. Sadly, I don't recall ever seeing the Blue Pansy in this garden yet.

SKYLINE PROMENADE

The strip of planting along the Skyline Promenade is fantastic for planting sun- and heat-loving plants such as the Bougainvillea, Tecoma capensis (Synonym: Tecomaria capensis), Russelia equisetiformis. 

One of my additions include the purple flower, silver leaved Leucophyllum frutescens (Common Name: Barometer Bush, Ash Plant), which I would add to the Discovery Garden slope.