When looking through your seed catalog to pick plants and trees, consider the design of the garden as well. Feng Shui is the balance of energy and harmony through elements such as placement, water, color, shape and texture. It originated 3000 years ago in China and is used indoors as well as outdoors.
The Idea is to connect with the higher powers that bring positive energy, prosperity, peace and balance to one’s life.
1 – Avoid square & boxy design where the energy flow is obstructed or confined.
2 – The left side (looking out from the front door) of the house represents the male energy as the right side represents the female energy. The balance is achieved by balancing or evening out the heights of the landscape so that the forces balance one another.
3 – Water represents wealth and equity, therefore consider a small pond that flows toward the entrance door.
4 – Mountains symbolize protection, to use this design element you can: have relatively tall trees around the property (not too close to the house). Or sloping hills that flow the negative energy away from the property.
5 – The East represents health, longevity, honoring family and very much associated with the wood element. Bare in mind that wood was once a plant and plants in general can be subcategorized as male and female. The light and delicate plants are considered feminine energy as the bulkier and hardy plants are considered masculine energy. These should be balanced and placed for proper energy flow.
6 – The West is associated with creativity and empathy as well as the element of metal. To incorporate this you can plant white and grey colored plants as well as wrought iron fence
7 – North represents spirituality and mentorship, life’s journey and is depicted by the element of water. Be sure to have at least a bird bath in your yard. Birds add yet another dimension to the yard in the form of freedom.
8 – Walkways and paths should flow with curves rather than straight lines. This can mimic the water element in case you decide not to incorporate a live water feature. Straight lines are not natural creations.
9 – To represent partnership pairing works really well. When planting a single flower, consider planting two pots of the same flower instead of the one solitary plant.
10 – Bamboo is very commonly used in Feng Shui gardens because it represents power, the ability to get along and flexibility.
With this you have enough to start planning your garden design and some of the elements you would like to introduce to your own gardentopia. There are many great books if you’d like to pursue the art of Feng Shui.
~ Improve your world with balance and harmony ~
Aaron Ohan