Feng Shui Landscape Design

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art, developed more than 300 years ago, which believes that balancing the natural, physical and astronomical energies around us can promote happiness and well being. The words feng shui directly translate to ‘wind water.’ It is easy to imagine why this term came to be used for this art. Good wind and water, i.e. good feng shui, imply a good harvest of crop, whereas a bad feng shui could result in destruction of the crop. However, feng shui is based on the understanding that our entire environment is alive and full of energy (or ‘chi’) and balancing them can result in harmony and prosperity.

Landscape design is not just about putting up plants, trees, shrubs, bushes, adding a greenhouse or a fountain and laying the lawn. It reveals one’s mental attitude in life. The outdoor space is also full of energy and channelizing it will be of advantage to the well being of yourself and your family. Placing every object in your garden according to the principles of feng shui will not only bring about the harmony in the energies that surround, its impact will result natural, healing and prospering environment. Here are some tips to help you apply the principles of feng shui to your landscape design.

The art of feng shui divides every environment into eight directions, or trigrams. Each trigram has specific characteristics and these can be utilized for optimum advantage.

• The North characterizes creativity, inspiration and personal growth. Its influence can be heightened by using placing water i.e. waterfall, fountain, etc. in this direction.
• The Northeast is for knowledge, wisdom and spiritual growth. This place should ideally have items made from earth like stone benches or rock gardens and avoid plants and trees in this region.
• The East is characterized by new life, rejuvenation and health. Wood is the best element to use in this direction. Plants and herbs in this direction are also helpful. This place should ideally have no metal or artificial structures.
• The Southeast is for wealth and prosperity. As with the east, plant trees in this direction and avoid metal.
• The South signifies opportunities or dreams and is a great place for fire. If you were planning on having a barbeque pit, this is the ideal place for it!
• The Southwest is important for romance, marriage and motherhood. This would be a great place to place seating arrangement and avoid plant and trees.
• The West is for children. Metal in items like swings, slides, etc are good in this area. Fire should be avoided here.
• The Northwest is meant for travel, fatherhood and trade. Like the west, use metal in this region and avoid fire.

Here are some more tips for you to understand the feng shui landscape design and to help you create for yourself a feng shui garden:

• Water bodies: Water can bring positive energy into any space, as long as it is not stagnant. Avoid building pond, instead have a fountain or a waterfall installed.
• Types of plants: Avoid thorny or spiky plants. Try and maintain a multicolored flower bed throughout the year.
• Herbs: A lot of focus is placed on the use of herbs with medicinal properties.