At Gardens by the Bay, flowers are always in bloom. An afternoon spent among unusual plants from around the world inevitably leads to discovering the many wonders of this horticultural treasure trove located at the heart of Singapore’s downtown. With a diverse collection of over 1.5 million plants, it’s no surprise that Gardens by the Bay is ranked eighth in Tripadvisor’s 2024 Travelers’ Choice Awards, establishing itself firmly as a top global attraction loved by millions.

Its success is backed by a multidisciplinary team of professionals dedicated to curating and growing the Gardens. Among them is Chong Ren-Huang, Paul, a Gardens by the Bay Scholar. As an Assistant Manager of Gardens Operations, he oversees landscape management and the nursery. Paul earned his Master of Professional Studies in Integrative Plant Science (Public Garden Leadership) from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.

We catch up with him for a behind-the-scenes glimpse into his work at the Gardens, where passion meets expertise.

What inspired your passion for horticulture?

Some of my earliest memories involve a deep fascination with plants. I distinctly recall observing ants crawling around an inflorescence of a Calathea lutea at Fort Canning Park when I was about five years old. My grandmother also nurtured this interest in plants by taking me to parks, gardening with me, and gifting me succulents on my birthdays. Ultimately, my family encouraged me to pursue my passion by taking up the Gardens by the Bay scholarship and studying about plants abroad.

Could you tell us more about the support you received through the Gardens by the Bay Scholarship?

Thanks to the scholarship, I had the opportunity to pursue a Master’s programme while exploring renowned gardens around the United States. I visited Bloedel Reserve, known for its serene and contemplative landscape; Heronswood Garden with its radical hybrids and eclectic collection; and Portland’s International Rose Test Garden, home to an array of vibrant roses.

My experience at Cornell University was further augmented by a passionate and supportive community of students and professors from diverse backgrounds. The countless conversations and exchanges of ideas greatly enriched my educational experience there.

Can you take us through a typical workday?

My day begins with inspecting the areas I manage to ensure there are no obstructions for visitors and traffic, as well as to prioritise the horticultural work for the day. The rest of my day is typically filled with various project meetings, conducting tree inspections to assess the health and safety of the trees in my area, and, if time permits, propagating plants in the nursery and maintaining the water lily collection.

How has Gardens by the Bay supported your professional development?

I have been involved in the research and conceptualising of various projects at the Gardens, including selecting plant palettes and developing educational signage for changing floral displays. I’ve had the opportunity to rotate through various horticultural departments which has given me a comprehensive understanding of how the organisation functions. Additionally, I have also participated in courses on managing work at height and arboriculture.

Tell us about the projects that you’ve enjoyed working on.

I was involved in some of the floral displays presented in the Flower Dome, particularly “Orchid Extravaganza: Orchids of the East Tropics” and “Impressions of Monet: The Garden.”

It was exciting to plan and put together different garden landscapes that visitors can enjoy in the cool comfort of the Flower Dome. After ”Impressions of Monet: The Garden” ended, I planted the water lilies from the floral display in the outdoor gardens, where they have flowered consistently. Some of these varieties were the very ones that inspired Monet and were planted in his gardens!

Give us the scoop on an interesting part of your job!

I split my time evenly between the office and the gardens. I can be quite hands-on—sometimes even wading into the pond to tend to the plants. While there is plenty of planning and coordination involved for each flower display, horticulturists do have significant autonomy in choosing the plants, as long as they align with the colour palette proposed by the designers.

What keeps you inspired at work?

The Gardens is a thriving ecosystem that is always growing, evolving, and renewing itself. I enjoy the various rejuvenation projects across the outdoor gardens that contribute to realising the Gardens’ vision of our world of gardens for all to own, cherish and enjoy. It brings me delight to see visitors relaxing in Gardens by the Bay, alongside denizens like waterhens and monitor lizards going about their day!

If you could pick three adjectives to describe the work culture at the Gardens, what would they be and why?

Collaborative – Many projects involve working with colleagues within the same department, across different departments, and even with external stakeholders.

Optimistic – The Gardens is always focused on improving the visitor experience and expanding its offerings.

Educational – There is access to a wealth of learning resources and employees are encouraged to continue learning and upskilling as part of their professional development.

Any advice for our readers considering a career with the Gardens?

You should enjoy working in a team, as there are frequent collaborations both within and between departments. One must also have the drive to constantly expand their knowledge base. Lastly, dare to dream and be passionate about creating a sense of wonder to elevate the visitor experience at the Gardens.