Books
Our collection of books offers a stunning look at the Gardens' history and its captivating plant life. Whether you are a nature lover, a history buff, or seeking a beautiful memento, browse our titles to bring the magic of the Gardens home.
Last updated 1 March 2026
Highlights
Tall Tales: Singapore Botanic Gardens Heritage Tree Trail Guide (Second Edition) - by Dennis Sng, Shee Zhi Qiang, Ang Xing Qi, Lahiru Wijedasa, Nigel Taylor
"Tall Tales: Singapore Botanic Gardens Heritage Tree Trail Guide" showcases the Heritage Trees within the Singapore Botanic Gardens, featuring some of the oldest and most remarkable trees in the collection. Serving as both an indispensable on-site trail guide and educational resource, it is filled with captivating stories, historical accounts, botanical insights, and beautiful illustrations that deepen visitors' appreciation for these living legacies of Singapore's UNESCO World Heritage Site. This makes it an ideal souvenir for nature enthusiasts and visitors alike. The second edition has been updated to include all Heritage Trees in the Gardens as of November 2025.
Native Orchids of Singapore : Diversity, Identification and Conservation (Second Edition) - by Yam Tim Wing
The second edition of the best-selling book, "Native Orchids of Singapore: Diversity, Identification and Conservation," is an informative and handy guide that is a must-have for anyone interested in learning more about nature conservation and orchid species in Singapore. The current edition features over 70 beautifully illustrated profiles of native orchid species, including Nervilia singaporensis, a species that was only discovered on our island in 2019 and can be found nowhere else in the world. Through our illustrated case studies, readers will also catch a glimpse of how botanists conserve these amazing plants to ensure their survival in the wild.
Gardens of Perpetual Summer: Singapore Botanic Gardens (Second Edition) - by Bonnie Tinsley
Gardens of Perpetual Summer chronicles the amazing evolution of the Gardens from its establishment as a pleasure garden to a leading tropical botanical institution. Since its inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015, the Gardens has expanded its boundary to include the 18-hectare Tyersall-Gallop Extension, increasing the Gardens’ grounds to a total of 82 hectares – the largest it has ever been. This revised edition celebrates the Gardens’ legacy of more than 160 years of human endeavour and scientific achievement. It sheds more light on the botanical collections, as well as the research and educational outreach that keeps the Gardens on the global map as one of the leading scientific institutions in the tropic.
The Botanists of the Singapore Botanic Gardens: The First 100 Years - by K.M. Wong, S.K. Ganesan, L. Neo & J.I.d.R. Furtado
This book traces the beginnings and scientific journey of the Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, through the accomplishments and writings of 11 illustrious botanists who were involved in the first century of its development. It documents their remarkable contributions to tropical plant science, natural history, plant classification, economic botany, horticulture and conservation—much of which remains exceptionally relevant today. [electronic copy is available for download]
The Nature of Poetry
The Nature of Poetry – is a celebration of nature in our city, and features the work of leading poets and photographers. In this collection, the interactions between nature and people, as well as our biodiversity and green spaces are explored and narrated through unique literary and visual perspectives. As greenery grows to become an integral part of Singapore’s cultural fabric, this publication is an ode to our City in a Garden!
A Guide to the Sculptures of the Singapore Botanic Gardens
The Singapore Botanic Gardens’ landscapes are a living gallery for sculptures of diverse materials and created by local sculptors as well as artists from around the world. Many have been generously donated and mark partnerships with nations, corporations, communities and individuals, making them an important slice of the Gardens’ history. Explore these works of art with this first published guide to the sculptures of the Singapore Botanic Gardens.
A Guide to Macrofungi in Singapore - by Serena ML Lee & Amy MF Choong
A Guide to Macrofungi in Singapore is the outcome of seven years of field work and identification in Singapore by Serena Lee of the Singapore Botanic Gardens and six years of teaching Fungal Biology by Amy Choong of the National University of Singapore. It is written for anyone who wishes to learn about fungi, and how to identify and classify the fungi they encounter. This book aims to introduce people to the fascinating worlds of macrofungi and slime moulds (which may be mistaken as true fungi in their spore-bearing stage). As the first guidebook to Singapore’s amazing diversity of macrofungi and slime moulds, it sheds light on the current state of fungal taxonomy here, and seeks to highlight the importance of these organisms’ role in our ecosystem.
Tropical Plants in Focus: Botanical Illustration at the Singapore Botanic Gardens - by Michele Rodda
In Singapore, the first botanical illustrations were made in the early 19th century, commissioned by Sir Stamford Raffles and Nathaniel Wallich. It was Henry Nicholas Ridley, however, who in 1890 employed the first artist and started the botanical art collections at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Numerous artists followed, engaged to illustrate rare native species, edible and useful plants, and ornamental garden hybrids, each reflecting the changing priorities over the Gardens' history. The collections today include more than 2,000 botanical paintings and hundreds of sketches, line drawings and photographs. This book outlines the development of botanical illustration in Singapore, and in particular at the Gardens. It showcases a selection of illustrations which can be viewed in person at the Singapore Botanic Gardens' Botanical Art Gallery.
Singapore’s Orchid Diplomacy - by Koh Buck Song
Singapore’s diplomatic practice of naming a new orchid hybrid in honour of VIPs dates back officially to 1956, when the Aranthera Anne Black was named after Lady Anne, wife of Governor Sir Robert Black. Since then, more than 280 orchid hybrids have been named after foreign dignitaries and international organisations as gestures of goodwill and friendship. To mark the 60th anniversary of Singapore’s independence in 2025, this book traces the history and practice of orchid hybridisation in Singapore, and presents a selection of 60 VIP orchids, specially curated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Parks Board.
Flora of Singapore (Printed Volumes)
The Flora of Singapore is a comprehensive 14-volume series, with plant families systematically assigned to specific volumes. When all content for a particular volume is completed, the family accounts will be printed with full colour photographs and line drawings. Please note that Volumes 1, 7, and 13 are currently the only installments released in high-quality print.
Vol 1 : Introduction
Volume 1 is the Introduction with chapters on the history of collecting and taxonomic research in Singapore, the relationships of the plants of Singapore to the wider region, the vegetation of Singapore and conservation in Singapore.
Vol 7 : Poales
Volume 7 contains the Poaceae with floristic accounts of the families Typhaceae, Syridaceae, Eriocaulaceae, Mayacaceae, Cyperaceae, Flagellariaceae and Poaceae.
Vol 13 : Gentianales
Volume 13 contains the Gentianales with floristic accounts of the families Rubiaceae, Gentianaceae, Loganiaceae, Gelsemiaceae and Apocynaceae.