Feng Shui Garden Landscape Design

From LoveToKnow Feng-Shui

Using feng shui garden landscape design creates a peaceful serene place where chi flows freely and the beauty of nature surrounds you.

Sun beams streaming into a feng shui garden

Creating a Serene Feng Shui Garden

Design your garden using the ancient art of feng shui for a tranquil place in nature that is inviting, relaxing and energizing. The use of the feng shui elements, the arrangement of color and the placement of each object or plant has an important role in the balance and harmony you are creating. Curvy areas and paths, raised flowerbeds and levels of rock all help the flow of chi. With chi flowing freely, your garden will be in tune with nature and you will feel the beneficial effects of the positive energy.

Another important aspect of creating a feng shui garden design is following the nine life areas of the bagua, which is your energy map. Divide your garden space into the sections of the bagua, also called pakua, and follow the same principles you would use if it were applying the principles to an indoor space. The Florida Gardener has an excellent bagua map that you can use for your garden site plan. Another excellent resource for planning your feng shui garden using your bagua map is the online feng shui magazine, WOFS, founded by Lillian Too.

Feng shui gardens need to have three key features represented - mountains, greenery and water. Raised flowerbeds, shrubbery or trees can all symbolically represent mountains. A water feature can represent water such as a fountain, pond or birdbath. You can even create a symbolic river of stones and rocks to represent water.

The Five Elements of Feng Shui

The five elements of feng shui are represented in your garden by various plants and objects. The following are some of the ways to bring the elements into your garden.

Earth - soil, rocks and boulders, clay flowerpots
Wood - arbor, planting boxes, bench
Water - fountain, birdbath,
Fire - lights, lanterns, fire pit
Metal - wind chimes, arbor, planters

The Use of Color in Feng Shui Garden Landscape Design

Colors play an important role in a feng shui garden. They should bring you pleasure when you look at them as they reflect back to you positive healing energy. Different colors have different energy levels and affect our feelings and moods. For example, cool colors such as purples and white have a soothing effect while hot colors like reds and bright yellows make your energy level rise. Both types of colors are wonderful in a feng shui garden but they should never be mixed together or in the same area.

In feng shui the yin colors are healing and relaxing. These colors include:

Blue
Black
Purple
White

The yang colors represent the elements of wood and fire. They provide motivation, enthusiasm and positive energy to get the job done.

Orange
Yellow

Avoid Clutter in Your Garden

Feng shui gardens must be free of clutter so the chi has an unobstructed path throughout. A garden should have order, with everything having a specific purpose and place. Each tree, plant and object is there to balance the five feng shui elements.

Remove fallen tree branches, dried leaves or decaying plants right away as their presence disrupts the flow of chi and lowers the energy level of the area.

Examples of Feng Shui Garden Design

The following are links to several examples of beautiful, tranquil feng shui garden designs.

Scroll down to see the before and after pictures of a rooftop that was converted into an urban feng shui garden.
A peaceful garden from Chi Essentials
The entrance to the Chinese garden at Healing Harmony