Feng shui is the ancient Chinese practice of arranging objects to let chi or life force flow freely in the space. This helps create balance and harmony between the individuals and their environment. Having good feng shui also promotes prosperity and good fortune, which is why many people apply the practice in different areas of their homes.
While feng shui is popularly associated with the placement of objects indoors, you can also use its principles in creating a more comfortable and inviting garden. This way, you can promote good feng shui in every corner of your home.
If you’re located on the West Coast and need some help with your garden, you can try consulting with a feng shui consultant California residents trust. But if you prefer doing practicing feng shui on your own, you can also get started with applying some of these do’s and don’ts to improve the feng shui in your garden.
Do: Dedicate a Focal Point of the Garden
The focal point of your garden is what draws the energies surrounding the area and allows you to feel more at ease. Having a focal point also helps create the kind of energy you want the space to have. There are different types of energy you can cultivate in your garden. If, for example, you want something soothing, a fountain will help achieve that. On the other hand, a fire pit can be inviting and promote a feeling of warmth.
Do: Focus On the Elements You Want to Invite
To create harmony in a space, feng shui practices a balance of the five elements in a space. You can do something similar in your garden or focus on a few of the elements to bring the type of energy you want into the space. The five elements important in feng shui are wood, fire, earth, water, and metal. The following are what they represent and how you can invite them into your garden:
Wood Element for growth and vitality
This is very easy to incorporate in any garden because you’ll likely have plants and trees in the outdoor space. The element is also linked to the color green, and if you want to ensure the element is always present through the color, you can plant evergreens—which can hold the green hue throughout the year.
Fire element represents warmth and kindness
While sunlight will provide you with plenty of the element, you can still enhance this further. You can place plants with red accents or triangular-shaped leaves such as Japanese maple, red geraniums, or purple lead sand cherry.
Earth element for grounding energy
If you want to cultivate grounding energy in your garden, do so by placing rocks as decor. You can also get big boulders or some pebbles. Finally, you can try using yellow-colored items to bring the earth element into the garden.
Water evokes cooling and calmness
To add the water element into your garden, place water features like a small fountain or a birdbath. In terms of color, black is associated with the element. So when looking for new outdoor furniture, black is a good color to consider.
Metal element for clarity
This element is linked to the color white. If you want to add the metal element, put plants with white blooms like bridal wreath spirea, potentilla flowers, or Shasta daisies.
Do: Let Chi Flow with Curvy Paths
In the garden, you need to practice letting positive energy move easily and calmly. The best way to do this is by making sure you can walk through your garden without feeling blocked or constricted. Design well-placed pathways that can help guide the flow of chi throughout the outdoor space.
For the smoother flow of chi, use rounded edges for garden beds. Also, create a meandering path with irregularly-shaped flagstones rather than paths with hard lines. This way, chi can calmly flow in the space instead of having abrupt movements in sharp straight lines.
Don’t: Neglect Proportions
When placing plants, shrubbery, and decorative pieces in your garden, make sure to play with the proportions. Plant trees and shrubs of varying heights in your outdoor space. If you only plant very tall trees, you can lose balance and harmony in the garden. Aside from achieving good feng shui, having plants of different heights can add to the visual appeal of your landscaping.
Don’t: Plant Large Trees near Your House
Avoid having large trees close to your house. Ideally, they must be planted away from your home where the branches don’t touch your roof. The reason for this is that large trees can trap the energy that’s meant to flow into your home and send it to their roots. If you want to block outside noise and pollution, place smaller plants and some shrubs instead. They make beautiful and effective natural fences as an added bonus.
Don’t: Group Things In Even Numbers
Whether you’re adding multiples of certain blooms or potted plants, remember not to group them in even numbers. Instead, choose odd numbers to promote movement and vitality in your garden. Many feng shui practitioners recommend placing items in groups of three or five because these numbers are more dynamic and have softer chi.
When it comes to promoting good feng shui in your garden, make sure to keep the abovementioned do’s and don’ts in mind. Whether you have a small or a spacious garden, these tips can help promote good fortune. They are also great ways to have a more comfortable and visually pleasing outdoor space.
