Singapore Botanic Gardens Special Part

Abstract

Producing this special part of Curtis's Botanical Magazine featuring Singapore Botanic Gardens has been a great pleasure.

I have never been to Singapore, though I've been aware of the excellence and history of its Botanic Gardens since I was an undergraduate: the works of E.J.H. Corner were much favoured by one of our tutors. And in more recent years the reputation of Singapore as a green city has continued to grow, demonstrating what could be done anywhere if only there was the will. The impressive nature of the Gardens, and the rich diversity of its collections are clearly demonstrated here, alongside the active research and conservation work undertaken to protect the native flora. The development of the Suppression-release Technique for managing seedlings of tropical trees is most exciting, and it is good to be able to publicize it here in this Magazine whose aim has always been to blend botany with horticulture – and art. The flourishing state of fine botanical art in Singapore is abundantly proved here too. Thanks are due to Masumi Yamanaka, a regular artist for Curtis's Botanical Magazine, who gave a workshop on producing plates for this issue for the artists involved, with the excellent results being evident here.

This issue has been made possible by the generosity of the Singapore Botanic Gardens, and the input of a very large number of staff and artists who have contributed to this series of articles. The artwork has been orchestrated by Michele Rodda, and the text by Timothy Utteridge, who was also responsible for the original suggestion (discussed with Martyn Rix and Masumi Yamanaka) to do a special part in this important year of anniversaries for Singapore Botanic Gardens. As a former staff member, and now Honorary Research Associate at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, he has maintained the long-standing link between the two gardens and their research. I most sincerely thank him and everyone involved for their assistance in bringing this publication together.