A wild garden tucked within an HDB estate in Woodlands is gaining attention for its focus on native plants and wildlife.
TikTok creator Breeeyani visited the garden during a recent trip to Singapore, taking part in a private tour led by local guide Wilson.
Unlike community gardens that focus mainly on growing vegetables or decorative plants, the Woodlands garden was designed with nature as a priority. According to Breeeyani, residents chose native plants that could attract butterflies, bees, and birds instead of primarily using manicured plants for human viewing.
The approach is known as rewilding, which involves reducing human intervention and allowing nature to develop its own ecosystem.
From Barren Hill to Wild Garden
Breeeyani said the area was a barren hill about six years ago before one resident decided to start a garden there.
The resident then worked with other residents to develop the space into a wild garden. Rather than creating a traditionally manicured landscape, they selected native plants that could provide a habitat for local wildlife.
During the tour, Wilson shared information about the garden’s plants and the wildlife they attract.
Breeeyani said she learned that bees can see ultraviolet light and are particularly attracted to white, blue, and purple flowers. Butterflies, meanwhile, are drawn to brighter colors, including red, orange, and yellow.
She also learned that butterflies have long, rolled-up tongues that allow them to reach nectar inside tube-shaped flowers.
According to Breeeyani, the garden is home to more species of butterflies than the entire United Kingdom.
A Space For The Community
The garden’s role extends beyond providing a habitat for wildlife.
Following the tour, Breeeyani had a picnic with Wilson, who shared how the garden had affected his life since it was created.
She said Wilson described the garden as a small oasis where he could sit and unwind.
Breeeyani also said she felt calm while spending time in the garden, surrounded by butterflies and birds.
The experience led her to reflect on the relationship between nature and community spaces. She said the visit showed her how gardens could be shared with nature rather than designed solely around human use.
She also highlighted the project’s development over six years and its impact on the well-being of people in the surrounding community.
Viewers Call For More Wild Spaces
The video attracted comments from viewers, including some who were familiar with the garden.
One commenter said they were “blessed” to live next to the hill, while another said residents were lucky to have the person who started the project and invested their own money and effort into transforming the area.
Another viewer revealed that they had previously volunteered at the garden.
Several commenters expressed interest in seeing similar spaces in other neighborhoods.
“We need this in every neighborhood 🙏,” one person wrote.
Another described the garden as “an oasis” and said it was the kind of space Singapore needed more of.
One commenter said they had not known about the garden before seeing the video and described it as a “gem.”
The comments also included discussion about community planting projects elsewhere. One viewer mentioned banana trees planted on town council grounds in their neighborhood and asked whether Wilson could help with the area.
For those interested in visiting, Breeeyani said she booked the private wild garden tour through travel platform SeedSophie.
The Woodlands project has taken shape over six years through the efforts of residents who chose to create a garden centered on native plants, wildlife, and a less manicured approach to landscaping.
See the video here:
@breeeyani One of the highlights of my recent Singapore trip was visiting this wild garden hidden within the compound of an HDB estate in Woodlands. Community gardens are not new, but many focus on growing vegetables or decorative plants meant for viewing. This garden, however, is designed for nature first. That means planting native plants and reducing human interference so that nature can return and manage its own ecosystem. This process is called rewilding. (I learned this during the tour!) My time with my guide Wilson was truly rewarding. I got to hear about how this project started, their six-year journey growing the garden into what it is today, as well as their future plans. But the thing that touched me the most was hearing the impact the garden has had on the wellbeing of the community. It made me think about what I too, can offer my own community back home in KL. If you’re interested in this tour, I booked it via @seeksophie. Tour link is in my bio, and my code BREE10 gives you $10 off your first booking sitewide. P.S. This is an affiliate link, which means I make a small earning when you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. Thank you! @SeekSophie @Visit Singapore
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