More than 20 horticulturists, several groups of workers and a dedicated team of over 250 volunteers toiled over 10 days to craft the flower carpet, which is open to the public free of charge from Sept 4 to 15.
In the centre are two replicas of the dragon head of the iconic playground in Lorong 6 Toa Payoh, which was designed by Housing Board architect Khor Ean Ghee in 1979.
In this tribute to his work, the dragon heads are surrounded by a colourful display of Singapore’s national flower, the Papilionanthe Miss Joaquim orchids.
The carpet is composed of a type of flowering plant called Cyathula prostrata, commonly known as pastureweed, and eight different cultivars of chrysanthemums of varying colours, from green and pink to yellow and red.
Mr Lai Liangfa, deputy director of garden operations at Gardens by the Bay, said the team behind the display opted to use chrysanthemums again, like in 2023, because of their vibrant colours and durability.
“They stood the test of time in last year’s display, maintaining their beauty throughout the duration of the flower carpet (display), making them a reliable choice for this year as well. We are also incorporating Cyathula, adding a unique texture and depth that complement the chrysanthemums beautifully,” he said.
Plywood stencils on the ground outline the patterns in the flower carpet. In 2023, the stencils were of a uniform width of 20cm. In 2024, they come in smaller sizes as well, allowing for more variations and intricacies in the designs.
With just 10 days to arrange tens of thousands of plant pots, Mr Lai said the team had to devise new methods to streamline the process, such as customising trays to hold and transport the pots as well as designing the stencils to allow easier access for maintenance work, such as watering and pruning the plants.
Retired taxi driver Ke Yi Yong, 75, who became a volunteer with the Gardens in November 2023, took part in carpet planting on Aug 24, and was pleased to have helped bring the display to life.
He said he enjoys volunteering because of the friendship, camaraderie and happiness it brings.
“Don’t be housebound. Come out to nature, it is good for the mind and body,” he added.
Volunteer opportunities are typically announced on the Gardens by the Bay volunteer portal.
The flower carpet is part of the Gardens’ Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations from Sept 4 to 22.
The 2024 theme of Celebrations was inspired by the childhood memories of many Singaporeans, such as the dragon and pelican playgrounds and five-foot ways, with some of these featured in lantern sets.
The event features nine intricately designed lantern sets. One of them, Colonnade of Lights, is made up of about 1,000 hand-painted paper lanterns created by members of the public.
The other eight lantern sets – including The Shophouse, Wishes Beneath The Moonlight and Vertical Mid-Autumn – were done by a team of 15 craftsmen and craftswomen, most of whom are from Sichuan province in China.
Staff and volunteers alike said they felt a sense of pride in their achievement.
Among them was housewife Siew Tsui Fung, 54, who volunteers at least twice a week and was also involved in setting up the flower carpet in 2023.
“The opportunity to contribute and work collaboratively with flower lovers is a dream come true for me. I feel a sense of pride that we are able to create the largest flower carpet, and both local and overseas visitors can admire the beautiful and creative work of floral art.”
The flower carpet display is open from 8pm to 10pm on Sept 4, and from 10am to 10pm daily from Sept 5 to 15. The lantern sets light up from 6pm to 10pm daily from Sept 4 to 22.