Guide to feng shui garden

Designing a garden is not just a matter of planting trees and scattering rocks amongst flowers. Ancient Chinese beliefs would state that it is a means of revealing a person’s attitude to life by altering certain parts of the landscape aesthetically.  Whether the garden is restrained, gentle and understated or boldly dominated with flowers will always engage a person with a more intimate experience in their garden.

Being Practical

Whether you live in a flat or a mansion and are positioning your potted plants or having your many acres landscaped, getting everything in the correct placed according to feng shui principles will help create a harmonious and natural environment.

The Four Elements

The four main elements of feng shui landscaping are

•  Mountain
•  Water
• Plant
•  Building

These are matched with the Ying and Yang of the landscape, which consist of;

•  Stillness and movement
• Unity and variety
• Locality and generality
• Scenery and subjective reactions

Beginning

To begin you should equip yourself with a compass and stand in the middle of your garden. Note down the north, northeast, east, southeast, south, southwest, west and northwest. Each of these directions will point to the general area that you will begin to decorate with the correct items and plants to encourage the correct “energy” you want to encourage within your garden.

North

The north encourages creativity, personal growth, new ideas, inspiration, prospects, careers, music and art.

• Use water elements here.
•  This is the best place for metal tool sheds, ponds, Jacuzzis.
• You should avoid stone, clay and earthen objects.

Northeast

Encourages knowledge, wisdom, meditation, intellectual growth and nature.

•  Use earth elements here.
•  This is the best place for stone benches, rock gardens, stones, brick.
• Avoid plants and trees in this area.

East

The east comprises of new life, growth, rebirth, harmony, health, family life and healing.

• Use wood elements.
• The best place for fruit trees, play equipment and plants.
• Avoid patio furniture, tools and white flowers.

Southeast

This area inspires wealth, material possessions and communication

•  Use wood elements.
• The best place for show plants, flowers and fish.
• Avoid metal garden accessories, tools and white flowers.

South

Encourages opportunity, dreams, awards, fame, happiness and longevity.

• Use fire elements.
• Best place for barbecues, fire pits, trees, flowers.
• Avoid water elements.

Southwest

The southwest comprises of marriage, motherhood, love and romance.

• Use earth elements.
• Good place for seating and team sports.
• Avoid patio furniture and gazebos.

West

The west should be an area that inspires creativity, harvest and socialising.

• Use metal elements
• Best place for outdoor entertaining, children’s playground and sunbathing.
• Avoid barbecues and red flowers.

Northwest

The northwest comprises of trade, international travel, fatherhood, mentors and supporters.

• Use metal elements
• This is the best place for angels, cherubs, animals and wind chimes.
• Avoid barbecues and red flowers.

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