Singapore's newest garden is as much a theme park as it is a botanical extravaganza, but regardless of your green-thumb status, this is definitely a garden to visit simply because it presents so many plants in top class condition all year round.

Botanical 'high-brows' will rub shoulders with 'quick-thrill' tourists, but amazingly, both will be well satisfied - such is the achievement of this power-house island state in the creation of Gardens by the Bay on land, only recently re-claimed from the ocean.

Of the 100 hectares in total, only 54 hectares are actively developed as Bay South, which features many open air garden spaces and waterways along with two of the world's largest greenhouse enclosures in the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest.

In amongst these is the Supertree Grove, which may initially seem to be a rather crass concept, but on closer inspection is both an engineering and botanical wonder combined with a high level of artistry.

Mimicking nature, these giant structures are vertical gardens, being home to hundreds of species of tropical plants including exotic ferns, vines, orchids and bromeliads. But they also provide shade, power, cooling, lighting, water collection, air intake and exhaust, though the visitor may be unaware of these secondary capabilities, being all well hidden from view.

An elevated walkway links many of the Supertrees providing excellent views across the gardens along with a close-up view of the plantlife that shroud them. 

At night they glow as a 'Son-et-Lumier' show (Garden Rhapsody) choreographs lights and music to enchanting effect. Yes it is a bit Disney-esque, but immeasurably more classy and impressive in every respect.

Of the outdoor gardens, the six cultural groups that have made Singapore what it is today are all celebrated with a space dedicated to their plantlife and culture. 

These include Indian, Chinese, Malay and Colonial gardens. 

The Singaporeans refer to this as 'edutainment', being motivated to spread knowledge of plants and cultures as a message of peace and hope. 

All are prepared and displayed to meticulous standards and feature a very wide range of fascinating plants, though some areas will take many more years to reach their full mature potential.

Other outdoor gardens include those themed towards:- Discovery, Web of Life, Fruits and Flowers, Understorey, World of Palms, and Secret Life of Trees. 

Whenever you visit, it's going to be hot, so plan this part of your visit for early morning, saving the enclosures for last when you'll need the airconditioning the most.

Everything to this point is free access, but the massive enclosures require an entrance fee, not surprisingly as they require millions of dollars to run and present some of the best plant displays you will find anywhere in the world.  

Of course the concept is well proven with the UK's 'Eden Gardens' first showing the world that massive glasshouses can make powerful tourist attractions. 

The Singaporeans, however have taken the concept to new highs.

The Flower Dome: 

This is the largest, covering around one hectare and replicates a cooler and dryer climate than found on the other side of the glass. 

This super-concentrated plant showcase features many Mediterranean plants along with other cooler temperate zone plants like Baobabs, Palms, Succulents, Rhododendron and unique plants from South Africa, California and Australasia. 

The artistry and skills of the plantsmen and women is superb, with this reviewer being particularly blown-away by the fabulous Fucshsia, stunning orchids and statuesque cactii and succulents. 

Examples of sculpture also abound, some quirky, but mostly culturally tasteful and they have all been combined with the plantlife to enhance rather than distract. 

Quite and achievement.

Cloud Forest: 

is another, welcome, cooler environment covering just short of a hectare of land. It replicates the cooler yet moist conditions found at the higher altitudes of tropical South East Asia, Central and South America. 

Its dominant structure is a towering mountain completely clad in hundreds of species of living plants, all kept moist by a vast network of fine water sprays.   The sight and sound of it is superb and the smell . . . even better. 

Visitors ascend via elevator then can wander slowly down via a network of spiralling pathways, affording great views and an up-close experience of the giant waterfall - all 35 metres of it. 

You'll find so many superb quality plants here from mosses to ferns, anthuriums, bromeliads and a host of shade loving foliage plants - all probably better than you'll see anywhere else.

These two enclosures are reason alone to visit Gardens by the Bay and to re-visit anytime you stopover in Singapore as the displays change on a regular basis.

Floral Fantasy:

A new enclosure opened recently close to the MRT station called Floral Fantasy. We leave this to last as it is an over-the-top extravaganza of floral worship. 

It is very much targeted towards people from this part of the world who are drawn towards 'prettiness' rather than botanical excellence. 

Though, as with everything here, the botanical and florist skills are superb. 

Its all colour, texture and fragrance combined with little taste. 

The fact that it also contains a 4D themed 'ride' perhaps separates it from the horticultural high-points of the rest of the Gardens by the Bay.

So slap on some sunscreen and a hat, get here early and expect to spend a day full of wonder. 

It is gobsmackingly impressive, so don't be a plant snob and miss it.