early in the nation's independence, singapore botanic gardens' expertise helped to transform the island into a tropical garden city, an image and moniker for which the nation is widely known. in 1981 ,the hybrid climbing orchid, vanda miss joaquim, was chosen as the nation's national flown. singapore's "orchid diplomacy" honors visiting head of states, dignitaries and celebrities, by naming its finest hybrids after these are displayed at its popular VIP orchid gardens.