Miami,Florida: Orchids and Singapore have become even more firmly entwined on the world stage.

At the prestigious 19th World Orchid Conference in Miami, orchids from Singapore picked up 26 awards for individual plants as well as two top display awards.

The event which is the most significant and largest regular event in the international orchid calendar saw the garden display created by Singapore’s National Parks Board in partnership with the Orchid Society of Southeast Asia, taking the Gold Medal for International Display and Best of Show award, along with two other top awards.

The design titled "Orchids in Harmony" is a 50 sqm display of a modern Asian courtyard garden which also reflects the cultural diversity of Singapore through the use of different colours and types of tropical orchids.

Describing Singapore's success in Miami as "an outstanding win" the CEO of NParks said the award is also an affirmation of the calibre of local talent. "The win also could not be timelier, especially since Singapore is hosting the next World Orchid Conference in 2011” said Mr Ng Lang.

The World Orchid Conference is held every three years and the last time Singapore played host was in 1963.

The winning Singapore display was created by Alan Tan Chye Soon, Assistant Director of NParks. This is the second Gold Medal win at the World Orchid Conference by 37 year-old horticulturist who designs gardens and floral displays for NParks.

The Singapore orchid display is set to dazzle visitors in Miami when the World Orchid Conference opens to public on Wednesday.

Singaporeans should get a glimpse into similar winning designs by the NParks team later this year at the biennial Singapore Garden Festival. The festival will be held at the Suntec Convention & Exhibition Centre from 25 July to 1 August. - CNA/sf