Garden Design Tours with Irene Chen
15 Episodes
Designer and plantsmith Irene Chen takes you from messy beds to museum-worthy gardens—without the fuss. In each episode, she breaks down layout, color, hardscape, and plant selection for every climate and budget, then shows how to execute with step-by-step, weekend-friendly projects. From curb-appeal makeovers and edible borders to small-space sanctuaries, Irene blends beauty, function, and sustainability so your garden looks great year-round. Fresh ideas, clear checklists, and real results—welcome to Garden Design with Irene Chen.
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S1E1 Exploring the Timeless Elegance of Howie's Villa
Howie's Villa showcases a hundred-year-old aesthetic with a five-acre garden that takes five years to mature. The design emphasizes cozy corners and smaller spaces for a welcoming atmosphere. Key tips include using non-planned elements and hardscaping for balance. The villa features art-filled in...
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S1E2 Exploring Dreams, Gardening, and Culinary Delights
Engage in a friendly exchange that covers dreams, fears, and the enchanting qualities of a whimsical garden. Discover how the COVID lockdown influenced gardening activities and learn about various plant types and care techniques. Explore creative ideas to enhance garden aesthetics and delve into ...
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S1E3 Transform Your Tropical Garden: Tips and Techniques
Irene embarks on a garden makeover, sharing her recent plant purchases and design inspirations. She navigates challenges in plant placement and visibility, while building a simple planter and discussing drainage techniques. The importance of using an odd number of plants for aesthetics is highlig...
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S1E4 Tiny Tropical Garden Makeover!
A channel dedicated to tropical plants and gardens showcases how to prepare a garden for visitors. It highlights the transformation of a planter area and the significance of heartscaping. The planting process involves selecting the right potting mix and plants, focusing on root health. Insights o...
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S1E5 Creating a Beautiful Balcony Garden
Explore the journey of cultivating a balcony garden that emphasizes artistic expression through plant selection and arrangement. The focus is on challenging plants and the importance of proper care, including watering techniques. Despite space limitations, vertical arrangements create a lush atmo...
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S1E3 Inside a Landscape Architect’s Garden Shaped by Light and Resilience
Episode 3
Irene Chen visits a private garden in Taba designed by landscape architect Keith, where resilience and creativity guide every choice. The garden blends hardy plant selections with careful water management and alternative soil approaches suited to the local climate. Recycled materials are reimagin...
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S1E4 A Lush Borneo Garden Where Tropical Plants Take Center Stage
Episode 4
In this episode, Irene Chen visits a remarkable private garden in Borneo guided by owner Ong, where tropical plants thrive in layered abundance. As they walk through the garden, Ong shares practical insights on potting media, fertilizer use, propagation methods, and adapting care to shifting weat...
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S1E5 Inside an Award-Winning Tropical Home Where the Garden Leads
Episode 5
In this episode, Irene Chen tours an award-winning tropical home in Borneo where architecture and garden design are deeply intertwined. The surrounding landscape features easy-care tropical plants chosen for resilience and beauty, while natural forms and materials shape the home’s structure and f...
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S1E6 Inside an Award-Winning Singapore Garden Designed for Art and Intimacy
Episode 6
This episode explores an award-winning private garden in Singapore where planting, art, and atmosphere are carefully layered into a compact space. Irene Chen walks through the garden she created with Ronnie, sharing how dense planting, sculptural elements, and water features work together to crea...
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S1E7 A Super Lush Tropical Garden Grown with Patience and Personality
Episode 7
In this episode, Irene Chen visits a deeply personal tropical garden cultivated over 11 years by her plant friend Juni. As they walk through layers of lush growth, Juni reflects on her hands-on journey—sharing practical insights on pruning, repotting, propagation, and understanding each plant’s i...
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S1E8 Inside a Secret Rooftop Garden Where Rainforest Meets Research
Episode 8
High above the city, this episode uncovers one of Southeast Asia’s largest rooftop gardens—an ambitious landscape designed as both living rainforest and experimental growing space. Irene Chen tours the garden created by Dr. Francis Ung, where distinct plant zones coexist atop a lightweight soil s...
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S1E9 Oxford Botanist visits DIY Tropical Garden
Episode 9
Join a personal garden tour that showcases tropical plants and highlights recent changes and new additions. Insights from botanist Dr. Francis enhance the experience, as the host shares their four-year gardening journey. The discussion covers practical gardening skills, care tips for slow-growing...
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27:33Episode 10
S1E10 A Borneo Private Garden
Episode 10
A private garden in Coing, Malaysia showcases an impressive collection of tropical plants. The owner creatively arranges unique specimens, including a large philodendron beier and various begonia varieties. The tour features rare anterium, jade ventilation blocks, and diverse acacia species. View...
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S1E11 Inside a DIY Jungle Garden Where Art, Plants, and Wildlife Coexist
Episode 11
This episode explores a 7,300-square-foot DIY jungle garden woven seamlessly into an art-filled home. Irene Chen visits the private garden of Russell Low, who has shaped the space as a personal retreat rooted in biodiversity and balance. Dense tropical planting attracts birds and local wildlife, ...
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S1E12 Inside a Beautiful Garden Designed for Balance and Self-Sufficiency
Episode 12
This episode visits a tranquil private garden shaped around self-sufficiency, care, and thoughtful design. Irene Chen explores the space with Mr. Chow, where a living pond supports edible fish and plays an essential role in the garden’s ecosystem. As they walk through the garden, conversations un...