In 2014, the biennial Singapore Garden Festival moved out of its grounds at the Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre, to a more open location at Gardens by the Bay.

The sixth festival will also be held at the Gardens this year, showcasing an international variety of plants and garden designs. It will run from July 23 to 31 and organisers are promising a bigger and better show.

"We have taken in all the learning points, and expanded the showgrounds from 5ha in 2014, to 9.7ha in 2016," said show director Dennis Lim, 43.

One highlight of this year's festival will be the new Adopt-a-Plant initiative, which will make more than 8,000 plants available for adoption at various locations such as Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park and the Singapore Botanic Gardens

Visitors will also get to witness the finals of the Floral Windows to the World Competition, and the Table-top Floral Display Competition, featuring both international and local participants.

At the event's launch yesterday, Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong helped complete the world's largest floral chandelier, which set a Guinness World Record. Made from more than 60,000 flowers by students, community gardeners, corporate volunteers and NParks staff, it will be displayed at Marina Square Atrium until tomorrow.

"Although it is an easy activity, the children have learnt how to care for plants," said Nanyang Primary School principal Lee Hui Feng, 55, whose pupils helped to make it. "If they can love nature, then they will also be able to let others share the joy of caring for the environment," added Mrs Lee.

The Straits Times is the official media partner of the festival. Tickets go on sale from April 15. Go to www.singaporegardenfestival.com for more information.

Expressing his hopes for this year's festival, Mr Wong said he hoped Singapore would "not only flourish as a City in a Garden, but also become a city of gardeners and garden lovers".