Over 70 whimsical displays at Singapore Garden Festival 2016

Magical gardens don't just exist in fairy tales.

Watch the Gardens by the Bay come alive from July 23 to 31 this year with more than 70 dazzling displays of foliage, flowers, and whimsical symphonies thrown into the mix.

Now in its sixth edition, the biennial Singapore Garden Festival (SGF) - which is currently being set up - is among the top three garden shows in the world alongside the Chelsea Flower Show and the Philadelphia Flower Show.

Jointly organised by the National Parks Board (NParks) and Gardens by the Bay, this year's SGF is the largest to date, showcasing creations by more than 30 internationally-acclaimed garden and floral designers.

Visitors can expect to see exquisite displays from around the world. Plants brought in by NParks are mostly from South-east Asian countries, but there will also be some from as far as the Caribbean islands and Brazil.

BACK TO NATURE: (Above) Look out for the Sunflower Farm and get treated to a musical performance amid nature with Gary’s Musical Flower Field (top) which will feature a piano, cello and harp.

There will be exhibits with creations by award-winning gardening luminaries from around the world, vibrant cut-flower displays and floral masterpieces, and an Orchid Extravaganza at Flower Dome showcasing the rich heritage of orchids.

New displays, such as the World of Terrariums, will feature 100 creative displays put together by the public. Plant species on display include sunflowers, orchids, golden lotus bananas and torch gingers.

Apart from enjoying the horticultural displays, visitors can also check out The Marketplace, which has 100 booths selling plants, gardening and landscaping products and services, arts and crafts, food and drinks.

There will be nightly performances by local musicians such as Jack & Rai, Jumpstart and Gentle Bones, and talks on various horticultural topics, such as creating your own miniature underwater garden and Japanese floral art.

SUSTAINABLE GARDENS

Gardener John Tan, 56, who has more than 20 years' experience in horticulture, will be taking part in the Fantasy category for the first time this year with his colleague, Mr Raymond Toh, 55.

Mr Tan had taken part in the Landscape Design category at SGF 2010 and 2012. He won a silver Award at SGF 2012, and a Best of Show Award and Gold Award at SGF 2010. He was also awarded a Silver Gilt Medal in the Show Garden Category at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2015.

This year, his garden, consisting of a floral display, will be titled Dare to Dream because he wants to inspire people who see his art to "dare to dream and make their dreams a reality".

He also wants to create a garden that is sustainable, and not just a show garden.

Expressing his concern for environmental sustainability, Mr Tan said: "We are losing so many natural landscapes in Singapore that Singaporeans have to travel overseas to see and experience nature.

"Also, the hot and humid weather discourages us from promoting a gardening culture. I hope to inspire Singaporeans to take an interest in gardening. This is my hope for SGF 2016."