Secret Garden

Malaysia abounds with much natural beauty, preserved in its many parks and nature reserves, but now one of Malaysia’s premier shopping destinations, the gargantuan, 1 Utama Shopping center located in Bandar Utama, Damansara, a township in the north of Petaling Jaya, has created its own verdant paradise, its relatively new attraction, the Secret Garden, located on the roof top of the mall
This lush, carpet of greenery which encompasses 30,000 sq. feet, is not really a secret, for its existence has long been known to staff and tenants of the mall. However, access to the garden initially was only by way of a hidden lift, as it was out of bounds for the general public. This has now changed and the public now can enjoy this tropical garden for free on weekends and public holidays.
This lush paradise was conceived and developed by the director of the 1-Utama mall, Datuk Teo Chiang Kok, an avid nature conservationist who worries about issues like preserving the environment for future generations. Datuk Teo’s idea was given life and form, by the project lead, well-known Malaysian botanist and researcher, Dr Francis Ng.
The Secret Garden is home to more than 600 species of rare and unusual plants including cacti, succulents and dry climate plants, climbers like clematis, cool-climate plants like rhododendrons and camellias, flowering plants, accent plants like palms, cyads, century plants and giant aroids, ornamental plants like crotons and begonias, and various other temperate and highland plants along with herbs, spices and water plants like the Madagascar tree arum.These various plants are carefully labeled and arranged according to their categories within 16 zones.
Several innovative methods have been employed in the cultivation and creation of this verdant paradise. These various experimental methods include the use of soil and Biochar (crushed charcoal pieces) as growing agents and the use of a system of hidden sprinklers set on timer, to ensure that the plants are misted and watered even during the driest part of the day. Other revolutionary methods used at the garden include irrigation methods that use water derived from the mall’s air-conditioning system and a rainwater harvesting system to recycle rainwater, so that the entire effort is environmentally friendly as well.
Visitors to the garden can learn about the many plants, trees and shrubs on display as they stroll through this green heaven and relax on the benches that litter the garden’s many pathways.
So remember if you need a respite from shopping on your next visit to the 1-Utama mall, head to its rooftop and relax and rejuvenate, in the midst of the verdant splendor of the mall’s Secret Garden.