i've been extremely tardy with my updates, mainly because work has been keeping me busy, plus most weekends are now spent fussing over the construction of my house. The last 6-months or so has seen me attending weekly site meetings, driving all over town in search of fittings such as lights, sanitary ware, iron-mongery and of course, not forgetting the all important plants and trees.
Given that I do have quite a bit of land for the garden, I decided to go all out with my order. I went around checking out numerous nurseries but eventually settled for World Farm. I didn't like the boss at Goldenhill because he kept discouraging me from all my choices, preferring instead that I go for convenience. The last straw was when he told me I should just grow potted plants at the patio! Come on, he's not talking to a plant ignoramus here! And he kept changing his prices about the soil, especially after he came on site to check out the garden.
I considered Pioneer and even selected my trees with the help of a very affable Mr Ng. However, I found their prices to be a little on the high side. Their large plumerias start from $500 whereas World Farm's start from $250 depending on species. Their tall bucidas are about $450 whereas World Farm's start at $350. By saving a $100 here and a $100 there, I end up saving thousands.
So I settled for World Farm with the help of my friend Guan and the general manager Mr Lee whom Mr G seems to have quite good chemistry with. I've ordered quite a few palms and trees like the Phoenix Sylvestris, Euterpe oleracea, Cratophylum cochinensis, Livistonia chinensis, Fragea fagrans, Areca catechus etc. I'm also considering getting a lemon-scented gum (Eucalyptus citriodora) and the Copernicia alba from Eden nursery. Will see how it goes!