3,000 SUNFLOWERS BLOOM AMID ICONIC LANDMARKS FROM INDIA’S PINK CITY OF JAIPUR TO MARK 60 YEARS OF SINGAPORE-INDIA TIES
Twenty sunflower varieties are on display this year, with over half making their debut at Gardens by the Bay, including blooms in uncommon shades of brown and pink.
The splendour of India and the golden brilliance of 3,000 sunflowers take centrestage in Flower Dome as Sunflower Surprise (恋恋向日葵) returns to Gardens by the Bay. Visitors can admire sunflowers in radiant hues of classic yellow and uncommon shades of red and brown, set against a landscape inspired by the famed Pink City of Jaipur in northwestern India.
The India-themed floral display is Gardens by the Bay’s first collaboration with the High Commission of India in Singapore, and marks 60 years of bilateral ties between Singapore and India, in this milestone year of SG60.
The floral display was officially opened by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Finance and National Development Ms Indranee Rajah, in Flower Dome today. Sunflower Surprise will run until November 16.
Gardens by the Bay CEO Mr Felix Loh said, “Through our floral displays, Gardens by the Bay brings a world of culture to Singapore. Sunflower Surprise celebrates not only the vibrancy and beauty of India, but also six decades of friendship between Singapore and India. The sunflower – a symbol of happiness, positivity, and resilience – perfectly embodies the warm and enduring bond that connects our two nations.”
Sunflower varieties beyond the expected
Sunflowers were introduced to India in the 1960s through agricultural research and have since become both an oilseed crop and an ornamental plant.
This year, 3,000 sunflowers across twenty varieties are featured, with more than half new to Gardens by the Bay. About half of the sunflowers on display are grown in-house by Gardens by the Bay researchers.
Visitors can look out for blooms in hues besides the common yellow, including pink and brown, with some reaching an impressive height of 1.8 metres. Notable varieties include:
- Helianthus ‘Chocolate’ – a dramatic variety featuring rich crimson-brown velvety petals with a hint of yellow on the underside and darker brown centre. Grown in-house by the Gardens’ researchers, this sunflower can attain a height of 1.8 metres
- Helianthus ‘Gold Lite’ – the perfect-looking sunflower with deep golden petals and a light green golden centre
- Helianthus ‘Lemonade’ – a fully-double, bright lemon-yellow sunflower appreciated for its feathery-looking petals
- Helianthus ‘Strawberry Blonde’ – a bi-coloured sunflower with pink petals, yellow tips and a dark hue centre
- Helianthus ‘Sunfill Purple’ – a novel sunflower that is admired for its unique green sepals with purple tips. Grown in-house by the Gardens’ researchers, this sunflower can grow up to 1.8 metres in height
A rich cultural journey amidst sunflowers
Jaipur earned its nickname, the Pink City, when its buildings were painted pink in 1876 to welcome the Prince of Wales. Today, it is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage City for its architectural icons, some of which have been recreated in this floral display.
Taking centre stage in Flower Dome is a striking recreation of the Hawa Mahal, standing 5 metres tall and spanning 10 metres wide. A must-visit at the heart of Jaipur’s Old City, Hawa Mahal, also called the Palace of Winds, is one of India’s most recognised and photographed landmarks. Other highlights include the symmetrically beautiful Amer Stepwell, constructed in the 16th century as a rainwater reservoir before piped water existed, and the Patrika Gate, a popular attraction that reflects the architecture and culture of Rajasthan through its detailed carvings and bright paintings.
Authentic Indian craft items are also featured, including traditional wooden string puppets known as Kathputli – a folk art form most representative of the state of Rajasthan, of which Jaipur is its capital city. On special loan from the High Commission of India in Singapore are cultural artefacts such as the Bobbili veena, a string instrument carved from a single piece of jackfruit wood; terracotta horse figurines that reflect Bengal’s pottery tradition; and tussar silk stoles which are woven from naturally golden tussar silk.
The floral display also features a set of peacock sculptures co-created with senior beneficiaries from the Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA), who participated in a community outreach session. Adorned with over 550 feathers made from fabric and glass beads – a popular embellishment in Indian clothing – the peacocks symbolise well-wishes such as good luck, prosperity, and protection in Indian culture.
Sunflower Surprise
📅 22 Oct to 16 Nov 2025
🕙 9am – 9pm
📍 Flower Dome (Admission charges apply)
You can get tickets via Klook, Fever, Pelago and KKday.
For more information, visit here.
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