Previously named Orchid & Rose Garden, O&R Garden in Cameron Highlands is one of many flower gardens/ nurseries that you can visit in Cameron Highlands.
We made our first visit here on a weekday at around 9am after having breakfast at Tanah Rata.
Here’s our personal review and guide on O&R Garden!
Table Of Contents:
Location
This inconspicuous garden is off the main road. And just behind Cameron Square.
Parking at Cameron Square’s basement parking by the way, costs RM5 per entry. But if you’re lucky, you can park at the front row for free.
From Cameron Square, go around and walk down a steep road to the nursery. There is a large signboard to point the way.
O&R Garden is within walking distance from other Cameron Highlands’ attractions like the Butterfly Farm (or more accurately, butterfly farms since there are 2 of them).
Opening Hours
O&R Garden is open every day from 9am to 6pm. It’s one of those places that are still open after 5pm.
And hence, you could come here if you want to pass some time before dinner.
Entrance Fees
For Malaysians, it costs RM10 per adult to enter O&R Garden. You can purchase fish food for RM3/ packet too.
Note: Prices as of August 2022
Facilities At O&R Garden
There are toilets strategically placed close to the exit and entrance of O&R Garden.
And for the weary, there are several benches all around the garden.
What To See In O&R Garden
Past the huge statue of a pitcher plant, our initial impressions of O&R Garden were disappointment. It looked like very little for what we paid.
1. Koi Pond
The first attraction that we came to was the koi pond after some photo props like flower carts. Many koi will approach the edge of the pond for food.
Tip: Don’t give all of your fish food to this pond, there are other fish at the exit
Around the pond are seemingly abandoned cages and aquariums. And a table of small potted succulents.
So we were not too impressed at this point.
2. Pitcher Plants
However, the deeper you go in, you’ll see that that the property is actually quite vast.
In fact, there is a map of O&R Garden (we didn’t follow the map, we just randomly wandered around) right after you head down the ramp of hanging pitcher plants.
We had one member in our group who is a keen pitcher plant enthusiast, and he was pleasantly surprised with the variety that O&R Garden albeit the conditions of the plants could be better.
3. Geese And Ducks
Loud honking caught our attention, and if you follow the sound, you will come to another smaller fish pond (fish were not in the best condition) next to an enclosure housing a group of lively ducks and geese.
Note: We’re not so sure that you can feed them the same fish food as before.
There is a small bridge that goes right over their enclosure.
4. Mini Zoo
A few steps from the geese and ducks, there are more enclosures.
Occupants of the small but well-kept cages included helmeted guineafowl, a turkey mama and her chicks, a few different types of chickens, guinea pigs (they looked the most content), etc.
The rabbit hutch looks a little barren at the time of our visit but it was spacious.
After the rabbits, are the goats in their individual (sometimes shared) pens! The pens are clean given that there are so many goats. We hope that they get to go out sometimes, but they did seem healthy.
PS: It smells like mutton in the pen
5. Herbs
We do not have a keen interest on herbs but there is a neat section dedicated to herbs like thyme and rosemary. The herbs are labelled too.
6. Jungle Walk
Surprisingly, there is a jungle walk section in O&R Garden. And some parts actually have a decent amount of moss growing over the roots of surrounding shrubs and trees!
Not unlike what you would see in the Mossy Forest.
The loop track consisting of old tires goes up, around and back down to the start via another path. And where the greenery gives way, you have a view of the vegetable fields.
It’s a very short walk – took us less than 5 minutes to complete. And it is probably doable for kids although those with knee problems may find some parts a bit tricky.
7. Orchids & Other Flowers
During our visit, there were hardly any flowers in the orchid section but it is well presented.
They tend to arrange flowers by family at O&R Garden. There are simply too many to name if you’re just a casual visitor like us!
Their hydrangea setup is simple too pretty for any flower lover to pass on.
As are their archways featuring jade vines and red jade vines.
8. Rose Garden
The rose garden is quite a substantial section with towering bushes of roses (growing in tires) in all imaginable pink shades.
Notes: Tires feature prominently at O&R Garden for pots, steps, fencing or decoration.
9. Photo Spots
Aside from the flower carts and giant pitcher plant statue at the front, there is an old jeep, a wooden hut display, horoscope signs, and other displays just begging you to stop for a selfie!
If you have a group of photogenic friends, you’ll likely be here for an hour as every corner of the garden is a delightful photo opportunity.
10. Views
Just before the exit, there’s a balcony that looks out to the hills and farms. It’s a nice view seeing that O&R Garden is quite high up.
11. Shop
Yes, there is a shop at the very end of O&R Garden. The plants and other gardening knick-knacks here are for sale and we did enjoy going around the small but attractive displays.
When you leave the shop, there’s one more pond and this one holds some pretty large local catfish.
Conclusion
Overall, we did really like visiting O&R Garden.
Maybe it has something to do with going in the morning on a weekday when there are no crowds about. We could take our time and not have to hurry along like sheep with other tourists.
There is plenty to see for the entrée fees. And compared to pricier gardens like CH Flora Park or Lavender Garden, we think a visit to O&R Garden is great value for money.
