Living Garden
The Feng Shui Wonder

Your living garden will create harmony and balance in your life. It comes to us directly from China’s mysterious past filled with mysticism and harmony. The result of their intimacy with nature has given birth to a philosophy born of a long history of introspection. We are the lucky recipients of this long evolution that has given us such great systems of thought as acupuncture, feng shui, the Tao, and more.

Let’s start building our living garden and try to go about it as simply as we can. After all, gardening is a fun activity and incorporating a novel system should be at once challenging and interesting.

The Feng Shui design – or bagua - is an octagon, and each of the eight sectors spreads evenly; the center of the plan will be the ninth area, the Tao. It is the center of the circle, the chi, the energy of life. Before I discuss the plants to use in each sector, I want you to understand that these are only suggestions and should in no way be used rigorously. This is the basics of Feng Shui, you don’t have to follow it to the letter to achieve amazing results. The main thing is: discover, try out new aspects of gardening, and have fun experimenting with the living garden.

To add an almost mystic atmosphere in your garden, I would suggest this very special wind chime that will bring a soothing sound from the least wind movement. The All Natural Handmade Bamboo Chime - Etched Three Tube Design

South – Its element is fire; and it is associated with fame and future. In this area, the colors of choice will be red, orange and blue. Some of the flowers that bring fame will be: poppies, roses, bluebells, and violets. You could plant strawberries, leeks, chili peppers. It would be a good place to string up lights, put a BBQ or have a little hearth for fire. Include outdoor lights, and wood furniture.

Southwest represents marriage and personal relationships. The predominant flower color should be yellow. Some of the flowers known to help emotional stability: lilies, tulips, and bleeding hearts. Include basil, mint, thyme, ginger, and tomatoes. This is a good place for a stone statue or a large rock.

West represents children and creativity. The predominant flowers should be yellow and white. I would use lavender, lily of the valley, morning glory. Include carrots, cucumbers, mustard. Provide an area for children and for your hobbies. The element of West is metal: include metal decorations, wrought iron furniture. This area would also benefit from wind chimes and small silvery objects that catch the rays of the sun. The shapes associated with West are circles and arches.

Northwest is the sector associated with helpful people, mentors. The predominant flower colors would be white, yellow and orange. Use sunflower, iris, sweet pea. Consider a lemon tree, dogwood, peppers, pumpkins, and squash. This corner is a good place to put a table and chairs to invite help into your life.

North governs career and prospects. The flowers would be predominantly dark purple or blue. Some of the flowers that boost career are honeysuckle and jasmine. Include ferns, grapes, onions, peas. This area represents water, so it is the ideal place to put a fountain or a pool. Add fish to it and it will double your luck. Metal chimes would bode well in this area. The shapes associated with North are waves and curves.

Northeast represents knowledge and wisdom; its colors are turquoise and beige. The flowers here should be predominantly yellow and orange; consider marigold, iris, and sunflower. Grow some celery, onions, and grapes. Include Rocks, stone statues, stone benches, a rock garden and it is a good sector for a bird bath. The shapes associated with Northeast are flat, square or rectangular.

East is associated with family and health. Its element is wood and its colors are green and beige. The foliage here should mainly be green and filled with bush or trees, especially pines and spruces. Include morning glory, violet, daisies, and herbs; a deck and wood furniture. The shapes associated with East are columns and tall rectangular shapes. It is good to have at least one big tree here or a tree house.

Southeast represents wealth and abundance. Its colors are green and purple. Some of the flowers that bring wealth would include camellia, golden rod, and honeysuckle. Plant fruit trees, pecan, pine, ferns, basil, mint, lettuce, onions. This area would benefit by windmills, a swing. Movement is important here, as it circulate the energy.

Garden Paths – In a living garden, paths that meander gently are important, they help to circulate the chi. Traffic in front of the home should be light or steady but not busy. Place two trees on either side of the door for protection. The trees should not hide the home from the street but rather be used as an accent. Trees represent wealth, prosperity, and abundance, therefore it is important to keep them healthy and strong.

Using Feng Shui for your living garden creates an outdoor space in harmony with nature where you can relax and enjoy the beneficial flow of energy you've helped to create. You may not see the point at all, or believe any of this, but why not give it a try. It is still just a garden after all and the results might surprise you. While your plants are growing, something else will also happen in your life, something that will surprise you beyond bounds, the energy of life will follow you around and bring magic in your life.