6 Photo-Worthy Places To Catch Singapore’s ‘Sakura’ Trumpet Flowers

Our recent rainy weather is not only good for naps, it also brought about the blooming of Singapore’s own ‘sakura’ trees. The beautiful trees, which usually yield crowns of soft pink and white flowers, are commonly found along streets and in parks here. When in full bloom, the fallen flowers form a pretty pastel carpet on the ground.

Although it’s nicknamed as “Singapore’s cherry blossoms”, the tree is actually in the begonia family. It is also known as the “Trumpet Tree”, or Tabebuia Rosea, due to its wispy trumpet-shaped flowers that grow to about 5cm to 8cm.

According to NPark’s Flora Fauna Web guide (nature lovers should bookmark this excellent directory of Singapore’s plants), the trumpet trees are planted islandwide as they provide good shade.

They usually flower in March/April and August/September, and are triggered by “ heavy rains after a long hot and dry spell”. Which is like, now. The blooms usually wilt after just a few days, so catching them is an ephemeral experience.

On Facebook group Singapore Hikers, eagle-eyed hiking enthusiasts are sharing photos of trumpet flowering spots. Below are six places to bask in the brief beauty of these flowers:

Photo: Jean Ho

The park along Bishan Road and Ang Mo Kio Ave 1 is home to lots of flora and fauna, plus a scenic little bridge that will make you feel like you’re in a Studio Ghibli movie. Bishan Park is also where former actress Jazreel Low opened her yakitori bar ToriYard.

Photo: Susan Lew

Did you know that Hougang houses the largest Japanese cemetery in Southeast Asia? Built in 1891 by three Japanese brothel-keepers, the cemetery is now a memorial park holding the ashes of Japanese soldiers, marines, airmen and karayuki-san (Japanese women who were brought into prostitution).

Photo: Jo Lau

Other than camping, East Coast Park is also good for trumpet flower-watching, like this rustic view near the National Sailing Centre.

Photo: Wen Ch

The Punggol Reservoir runs through Sengkang Riverside Park, which also has a man-made marshland that’s home to many wildlife species. You can also find plenty of fruit trees there, plus trumpet trees.

Photo: Cornelia Coreen Buslon

If you stay in the west or central area of Singapore, Tiong Bahru Park is another spot to gaze at trumpet flowers. The park also has a Therapeutic Garden divided into four zones, Fragrance, Biodiversity, Edibles and Medicinal, and Colours and Textures, so you can educate yourself on plants there.

Photo: Nicole Sun

Easties can head to Simei to view this particularly lush tree located opposite the Simei Green condominium.

Photo: Gemma Cacho