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Why this landscape designer never wants you to see a garden all at once
🇸🇬 Singapore /Culture & Society

Why this landscape designer never wants you to see a garden all at once

From CNA · () English

Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Thai landscaper Jirachai Rengthong designs gardens to unfold gradually through layered planting, mature trees and distinct garden rooms.
  • His projects include Capella Ubud, The Siam in Bangkok and Shinta Mani Wild in Cambodia.
  • Rengthong, who studied political science and is self-taught, began his long partnership with landscape architect Bill Bensley in 1988.

“I just want you to feel relaxed.” For Thai landscaper and horticulturalist Jirachai Rengthong, that simple aim guides gardens designed not to be seen all at once, but discovered slowly.

I just want you to feel relaxed.

— Jirachai RengthongHe explains the basic purpose he wants his gardens to serve.

Rengthong has spent four decades planting across Southeast Asia. His projects include Capella Ubud in Bali, where the surrounding forest remained untouched during construction; The Siam in Bangkok, which combines antiques with vertical gardens; and Shinta Mani Wild in Cambodia, set within Cardamom rainforest along the Tmor Rung River.

It’s self-taught.

— Jirachai RengthongHe describes how he learned landscape design without a formal horticulture degree or apprenticeship.

His approach grew from experience rather than formal training. “It’s self-taught,” he said, describing a path built on books, hard work and a long collaboration with landscape architect Bill Bensley. Rengthong grew up in Uthai Thani, where his police officer father and housekeeper mother cared for a garden filled with ornamental plants. “I guess I got the green thumb from them.”

I guess I got the green thumb from them.

— Jirachai RengthongHe reflects on his parents’ influence and the garden he grew up with.

Gardening was not initially his career plan. He studied political science until he met Bensley in Bangkok in 1988 and watched him create gardens. Their first project together was the Royal Garden Village in Hua Hin, now Anantara Hua Hin Resort & Spa. The pair divided the grounds into themed rooms, including a palm garden and a garden built around yellow flowers. “It felt more like a playground than a job,” Rengthong recalled.

It felt more like a playground than a job.

— Jirachai RengthongHe recalls the freedom of his first project with Bill Bensley.
About this summary

Originally published by CNA. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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