Regardless of what you think about Feng-Shui, you will agree that the main purpose of any garden is to provide a relaxing area. You are hoping to relieve some of the stress and recharge your batteries. This is done through positive effects of nature and the aesthetic value of your garden. As Feng-Shui revolves around the principles of attracting positive energy it does not hurt to try it out. There is no need to be skeptical, as at the end of the day, there is no single unattractive Feng-Shui garden and if nothing else, you will end up with a beautiful backyard.
Provide protection
As Feng-Shui dictates, your garden should be protected from negative energy and impacts. The idea is hidden behind the notion that a valley protected by mountains is the one that thrives. Create your own oasis of privacy by planting trees and hedges around your garden. In order to get the results as quickly as possible, you should plant Leylandii as it is the fastest growing hedge and it is also evergreen.
Build no barriers
Feng Shui is all about Qi (Chi), the energy of life force, and you need to allow it to freely move around your garden without getting blocked. The Qi should also “enjoy” your garden as it needs to move from one pleasantness to another. It should not get stuck, but it also should not go through the garden too quickly. If the energy gets stuck, you will have to use one of the cures to set it free again. The trees, for example, are known as the barriers and they should not be planted near your house as they will block the energy.
Build a body of water
Build a water feature. The size and the style of the water feature do not matter all that much. You need it to be placed East for health, Southeast for wealth, or North for career success. You can keep a modern swimming pool, or add something more in tune with the philosophy such as a goldfish pond.
A gradual scale
Watch the scale of elements you implement in your garden. You can and should have a variety of plants of all heights but their heights should only be slightly different. Don’t be tempted to plant a big tree in the middle of your lawn without providing a gentle transition. While the open space is desired, this could cause for the Qi to fly straight through it or get tangled in the tree. Shrubs of different sizes and styles should smooth the transition.
The patio
Luckily the patios in most gardens are commonly placed right outside the back door of a house. The layout of the house in the back, chairs facing the garden and the water in front, should allow you to enjoy the energy. Do not arrange your chairs in the traditional circle around the table, nor put them in a straight line. A semicircle should provide the right setting. The furniture should be very comfortable and if possible, made of materials as dictated by the energy map (Bagua) for that area.
Avoid simplicity of shape
The modern design trends outline simple geometrical features and straight lines. While one would imagine that simplicity is a structural part of serenity, it cannot be applied to shapes in Feng-Shui. The philosophy is all about smooth transitions and flow. This is why curves are the desired lines. Use them when you are paving your patio or the path through your garden.
The Arches
Adding to the idea of using curves, implement arches throughout the garden. An excellent example of this is a wooden arched bridge across a pond or making passageways using arched pergolas. Also, if certain shrubs are naturally tangled to form an arch, but still eye-pleasing, leave them that way.
The simple plants
Use the Bagua color theory to organize the plants in your backyard. Each of the 5 elements of Feng-Shui has its colors so you should distribute them accordingly. However, make sure that you enjoy each of the plants used. Even though hard work is a desirable tool for growing your character, the goal of your garden is to allow you to relax. Choose native plants and plants that grow easily and naturally on the type of soil you have in your backyard. The last thing you want to do is stress out about a withering garden.
The rocks
Rocks have a great aesthetic value, particularly if you are looking for a natural style. According to the energy map, Southwest, West, Northwest, and Northeast are the best positions for building rock gardens and implementing rocks. Rocks are solid and they are strong earth elements, which is exactly what these areas need.
The balance
Feng-Shui is all about balancing. There should not be too much of anything in your garden, apart from the greenery. There are two criteria to watch out for. The controlling cycle, which does not allow for either of the elements to become too dominant, is the first one. The second one is Yin-Yang, the balance of the energy of different qualities. For example, balancing between light elements and dark elements, or soft textures and rough textures.
The fire
Taking the balance into consideration and having suggested that a Feng-Shui Garden requires a body of water, we should also talk about fire. Adding a fire pit in your garden and possibly on your patio is an excellent way of balancing these two energies. Lanterns are another option. Azoogi lighting supplier explains that a good way of incorporating modern design and Feng-Shui is by using gentle solar garden led lights. This way, you will be harvesting the energy of the sun, which is essentially fire, to attract more energy, and still, preserve a part of the modern aesthetics.
With these basic ideas and the Bagua energy map to know how to implement them, you will be a good way to create a Feng-Shui garden of your own. That is, you will create a basic garden. However, with just a bit more effort invested into understanding the philosophy and its basic principles, you will be able to create a sanctuary of your own.
Author: Neil White
