Singapore is already known as the Garden City, but it is adding about 100,000 new plants to the landscape in preparation for September’s IMF/World Bank conference.

Frangipani trees, fox palms and a sea of heliconias - these are just some of the plants that have sprouted in the past four months around Suntec city, the Central Business District and Orchard Road.

They can be found either along road dividers or at the side of the roads, and they come in various shapes and sizes as well as colours.

NParks says this is the result of its efforts to enhance the landscape in areas where delegates of the meetings are likely to converge.

It also hopes to showcase some of Singapore’s tropical plants and flowers to the world.

Said Simon John Longman, director (Streetscape), NParks, “We have … this lush landscape and this gives a very tropical experience. And it is particularly pleasant for some of the delegates that are not from the tropics to see this greater variety of plants.”

Most of the plants chosen are hardy, ones that can withstand harsh conditions and require little maintenance.

More flowering plants were also picked to inject more colour into the streetscape.

One of the new species introduced into Singapore’s landscape is the aptly named “Flaming Beauty”.

Originally from Madagascar, it is also grown in sub-tropical countries like the Philippines.

It was chosen to be grown here because of its colour, foliage as well as its ability to grow well in partial shade.

Work on enhancing the landscape is expected to be completed by September 11. - CNA /ct