A simple desire to improve her home’s aesthetic has blossomed into an oasis for entrepreneur Caril Hosang. Her garden, now a tapestry of flora and fauna, serves as both a hobby and a perfect place to entertain. SO Gardening (SOG) was invited by Hosang to her home near Barbican to explore the unique elements that make her garden a standout.

A vibrant welcome awaits: Buttercups, bougainvilleas, and bromeliads line the driveway. In the backyard, Hosang’s labour of love is on full display. The space is a tropical haven, with orchids, red gingers, and hibiscuses blooming around a serene pool. Tucked among the unique flora, you’ll even find banana, mango and lime trees, a testament to a truly fruitful passion.

In 2008, after her home renovations left the front and backyards in a sorry state, Hosang took matters into her own hands. Inspired by her sister-in-law and with guidance from the late Stephen Jones, owner of Boone Hall Oasis, she embarked on a mission to transform her outdoor space.

“I attended a home and garden expo at the National Arena and Jones had his display at the front, and I was blown away at what he had created in the space,” Hosang shared with SOG. “I called him in and he transformed the yard, planting my perimeter walls and did a lovely paved area under my mango tree. Most of the tropicals he planted did not last because of the various droughts we’ve had, So through trial and error I have been replacing them with the ones that did survive.”

Since then, she has cultivated a garden that is both a haven for her creativity and a home for her favourite plants, including Schefflera, Dracaena Red Ruby, and Monstera.

“My garden is a place to connect with nature and find peace, a canvas for expressing my creativity through plant choices and design and a space to experiment and try new things,” Hosang said.

Join us next week for more from this garden.

Red ginger (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Ti plant (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Lantana camara (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Hibiscus (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Aranda Noorah Alsagoff (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Vanda tricolour (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Indian Head Ginger (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Carruthers’ Falseface (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Waling-waling (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Canna indica (Photo: Garfield Robinson)