As you stroll through the Secret Garden, look out for QR codes tucked among the blooms and greenery. Each scan reveals fascinating botanical facts about the plants around you, with every zone offering something new to explore. Pause, discover, and let the garden share its hidden wonders with you.
Cactus Circle (Cactaceae)
Cacti are thorny plants of the family Cactaceae that thrive in the deserts of America. In Malaysia, cacti are usually grown under shelter to protect them from excessive rain. Some species are able to survive outdoors in the Secret Garden under the well-drained sunny conditions provided in the Cactus Circle. To keep the roots free of excessive moisture, some of them are grown individually in their own plastic pots buried in the ground. The cacti are grouped together with other plants of arid sunny habitats, to add an exotic touch to the Secret Garden.
Thousands Roots (Cissus Nodosa)
The Thousand Roots is native to Java and belongs to the same family as grape vines. The strings that hang down from the stems are roots. These roots grow very quickly and require continuous trimming to keep in check. In forests, they may hang 80 ft or more from the canopy of high forests down to the ground. This plant is not recommended for home gardens because it will take over the house and garden quickly unless kept under very strict supervision.
Canary Island Palm (Phoenix Canariensis)
A majestic palm of semi-dry tropical and Mediterranean climates, the Canary Island palm is difficult to grow in humid tropical areas. Our specimen is one of the best in Malaysia. To prevent the palm from getting too heavy for our rooftop and to keep its weight down, we have kept the trunk thin by shaving down the sides. The palm survives because the water- and sap- conducting tissues in palms are scattered throughout the trunk, not concentrated in the peripheral layer of the trunk as in ordinary trees.
Amazon Water Lily (Victoria Amazonica)
Named after Queen Victoria of Great Britain, the world’s largest water lily is native to the rivers of Amazonia in South America. The giant leaves with upturned margins can support the weight of small child. The flowers open white on the first day and turn pink or purple on the second day before fading. In temperate countries, the giant water lily needs to be replanted every year. In the Secret Garden the plants are perennial.
Giant Colocasia (Colocasia Gigantea)
Nicknamed the “Giant Elephant Ear”, the Giant Colocasia announces that the Secret Garden is a tropical garden. It’s big fleshy leaves are characteristic of tropical humid environments whereas small leathery leaves are characteristic of cold or dry environments. The natural range of the Giant Colocasia extends from Malaysia and Thailand to South China and as far as the Ryukyu Islands of Japan. It is found most commonly on limestone hills. The fleshy leaf stalks are used as vegetables, especially in Thailand.
Curvy Agave (Agave Desmettiana)
A native of the dry tropics of America, the Curvy Agave is one of many species of century plants, so-called because they take many years to grow to maturity. A mature plant will produce one tall central flowering trunk that bears thousands of flowers. Each flower produces a plantlet, and the plant then dies. The actual life span for most century plants is about 10 years but in the humid tropics some species do not flower at all and such plants can live and grow indefinitely.
