Email
PrintFeng Shui
Artfully applied to the garden, this ancient Chinese philosophy can enhance your life
Have you ever walked into a room and felt instantly at ease? If you recognize this connection between your emotions and your environment, you are on the path to understanding, the ancient Chinese art of placement.
In the Chinese language, the various energies of nature are collectively called chi. Through the careful arrangement of furnishings, art, plants, and other
objects in the home, feng shui (fung-shway) creates a living environment with an optimum flow of chi. The unfettered tide of nature’s energy promotes health, success, and inner happiness, practitioners say, while blocked or unbalanced chi can contribute to illness, misfortune, or pain.
Traditionally used in interior design, feng shui, which translates to “wind water” from Chinese, is now being applied to garden landscaping as well. Nancilee Wydra, author of Feng Shui in the Garden and co-founder of the Feng Shui Institute of America, explains: “The wisdom contained within feng shui can be applied to aid us in securing the best for ourselves as we cross the threshold from our indoor to outdoor home. How and where you place the elements in your garden will reflect back to the areas of your life.”
Similar to techniques used in organic gardening, feng shui supports the use of native plants, natural barriers, and companion planting, and advocates avoidance of synthetic chemicals. Jackson landscape architect Allison Fleury explains, “Introducing plants to your garden that require a lot of maintenance, like needing a lot of watering, is not ideal because it uses up natural resources. It’s better to use native, healthy plants.” Fleury and her friend, John McMullen, have applied feng shui to gardens and yards. McMullen, who is also a landscape architect, studied feng shui under Master Larry Sang, who founded the American Feng Shui Institute.
“A beginning student of feng shui will find many different schools of thought,” McMullen explains. “Master Sang’s teachings are derived from the ancient science of feng shui and will not necessarily align with the work of Ms.Wydra.
“Although simply creating a pleasing outdoor environment is good feng shui, only a complete analysis of the home, its occupants, and the surrounding
environment can lead to truly integrating the principles of feng shui into the landscape,” McMullen continues. “A thorough analysis of the environment surrounding the home would result in recommendations to enhance the beneficial flow of chi and mitigate any unbeneficial sha energy.”
When applying the principles of feng shui to a yard, Fleury suggests using natural barriers rather than fencing as a way to deter unwanted visitors. Thorny bushes and densely foliated trees or shrubs all serve as barriers, she says. She also recommends companion planting instead of harsh pesticides to help prevent visits from unwanted insects. Certain plants have properties that attract some insects, she explains, and thereby can relieve a neighboring plant that is under attack. Other plants repel bugs and can be used as a shield or buffer.
“Marigolds are good at repelling insects, for example,” Fleury says. “Nasturtium is another good option that attracts pests away from plants, especially green peppers; the round, yellow and orange flowers are nice and can even be used in salads,” she adds. These and other pesticide alternatives can help protect your garden without harming the environment.
Plants and other elements that stimulate and feed sensory reactions can enhance the garden experience. Sight is obvious, but many plants also sound, feel and smell fantastic. Fuzzy lamb’s ear, for example, is a pleasure to touch; rosemary and other aromatic herbs release tantalizing smells; and aspens, willows and certain varieties of grasses provide rustling sounds in the wind. Plants that attract birds and butterflies are often delightfully fragrant and have vibrantly colored blooms and/or small, bright berries.
Water, essential to feng shui, is a pleasant addition to any garden, Fleury says. It should be gently moving—not rushing—to encourage an even flow of energy. Water in a garden also attracts birds for your auditory and visual delight, and contributes a soothing sound.
Feng shui strives to maintain the delicate balance of nature. In her book Wydra explains, “Being out of balance implies some breakdown, some interruption in the flow of energies.” Feng shui, in its analysis of the garden design best suited to an individual, prescribes personalized combinations of the five basic elements: earth, water, fire, metal and wood. Used in various arrangements and degrees, the resulting balance of elements can inspire happiness and inner peace, help resolve personal conflicts, and even bring about good luck.
After analyzing a home, its occupants and the property, a feng shui consultant may introduce different elements to a garden such as sculptures for metal; stones and rocks for earth; and plants, trees and shrubs for wood, Fleury explains. The element fire can be incorporated with a lit fire pit or by candlelit lanterns.
If the element itself cannot be used, an associated color can be used in its place, Fleury says. Red is associated with the element fire and Fleury suggests red twig dogwood, which also provides visual relief to the winter landscape. Crabapple, which grow well in this climate, also adds red to the garden view. White corresponds to the element metal and can be a refreshing color in the summertime. Fleury’s choices for white include snowberry and white columbine. Green goes with the element wood and any plant will do, but native sagebrush is a good option, Fleury says. The earth element can be represented by yellow foliage like potentilla (a shrub) and the native willow. Blue is associated with the water element and lupine, columbine and delphinium are Fleury’s favorite choices.
Overall, the aim is to create the most beneficial, comfortable environment for yourself and family. Whether you choose a professional designer’s help or read about feng shui on your own, remember that your garden is a personal space that should bring you hours of peaceful contemplation and contentment. The optimum design is one that embraces you with a natural energy in tune to your emotions.
