South-East Asia

After discussing exoticism-inspired use of tropical plants in Western (mainly 'jungle') gardens, Monty sets out for SE Asia, where the real paradise garden might exist. In Thai capital Bangkok, pragmatism dominates, even in the royal palace gardens, despite the generous climate. In Singapore, even a government-project to turn the whole city state into a garden ends up rather soulless. In Indonesia, the Hindu remnant on Bali comes closest in temple - and communal ('kampong') gardens, yet not in the Western sense of ornamental gardening.