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Practical
Planting in a Feng Shui Garden
This
will be modified somewhat by the Pa Kua numbers of the people who
use the garden and more complicated formulae, which will be explained
later in this course.
But let
me apply basic principles now, which can be adapted later. The final
layers of personal astrology and particular formulae may be laid over
the basic principles, as they can too in a house or office. Dragons,
the most powerful and lucky animals in Feng Shui are seen to live
in undulating, rolling land. They will never live in completely flat
areas of land. Gardens need to contain the symbolic dragon, different
levels to be interesting and also to provide the Oriental approach
of 'hide and reveal', in other words, the garden should never be able
to be seen fully from one vantage point, should never be completely
flat.
The
dragon's breath, 'Sheng Chi', is important to encourage, and sorockeries
and even small hills 'Shan' are to be included in your design whenever
you can.
Use
of The Pa Kua Sectors in a Feng Shui Garden .
In the SOUTH EAST, Pa Kua number 4, element 'wood', plant lots of
small leafy shrubs, mainly evergreens. Herbs are ideal. Greens and
blues are excellent colours to use. It is said however that blue
flowers in a front garden symbolise the flowing way of wealth and
so they should be avoided if the South East sector falls into the
front garden. This would equally apply to the Northern sector.
 A
water feature in this sector [or the North for Career] is excellent
as it is the wealth corner. A waterfall should always flow in towards
the house and be seen from the house, bringing prosperity with it.
If placed in a front garden, a water feature is best positioned
on the Left Hand Side of the front door as you face outwards. Frog
and fish ornaments are good in this zone as are real fish. Real
fish can be goldfish [baby dragons] or Koi [which turn into dragons].
Nine fish is the best number, eight gold and one black, or use multiples
of nine. In a very small water feature, have three fishes, two gold
and one black. Any that die are thought to have absorbed bad chi
and should be replaced at once.
The SOUTH,
your 'Bright Hall', symbolising Fame, Public Recognition and Reputation
should be as well lit as possible. This could be with garden lighting,
or with Japanese Lanterns. The Lanterns must be lit, to be useful---in
the same way that candles in the house must be lit to be called 'light'
remedies.
Flowers
and shrubs in the South, Pa Kua number 9, should be bright and fiery.
Fuchsias are excellent, not only are they fiery colours, they also
look like little lanterns. A bird sculpture in the South is good,
a Phoenix, or a Cockerel, Pheasant, or even Flamingo. The element
is Fire, so reds, yellows, oranges and even purples, are all good
colours to have in flowers and leaves. Acers, 'Garnet', 'Bloodgood',
'Atropurpureum' and 'Osakazuki,' are all perfect.
In China
and to some extent in Japan, it was a tradition to have a Pear Tree
outside a theatre and the actors were often known as 'Children of
the Pear Tree'. If you have someone in the family particularly interested
in showbusiness then a Pear Tree, 'Pyrus', would be very useful planted
in the South, and you can get dwarf ornamental varieties which are
really lovely.
The
SOUTH WEST is the Earth Mother corner, symbolising physical relationships,
earth element, and Pa Kua number 2. Any plants here should be bright
and thriving, with orange, yellow, pink and red flowers. Peonies are
especially useful in this sector and after a Chinese wedding a bright
red peony is planted in the South West corner of the newly married
couple's home. This South Western corner can be really Oriental in
flavour with gravel, pebbles, rocks and Japanese lanterns. You may
wish to place a Buddha, Kuan Yin, the female Buddha of Compassion
in this area. She could also go in the West, area of Children.
 Any
ornaments here should be preferably be made of stone and any pairs
of birds or people, especially lovers are very good. Also in this
sector ornaments of mandarin ducks are excellent. These ducks are
believed to mate for life and so represent a long, happy and deep
relationship with a loved one. A pair of cranes are also good, one
preening while the other stands on guard!
Any
windchimes used here would be best in crystal or pottery.
The
WEST needs to contain rounded shapes to enhance its metal element.
This is the sector of children, new projects, pleasure, joy and
creativity. It is interesting that in Japan and to a certain extent
in Ancient China, 'houses of ill repute, of pleasure', always had
their gateways in the West!
The number
of the West is 7 and it is also the realm of the White Tiger.White
fragrant flowers in this sector are excellent to keep the Tiger dozing.
If a pathway enters this sector then small lanterns along it will
keep the power of the Tiger away. Metal windchimes and tinkling bells
are excellent in this sector as are the colours of white, silver,
cream, gold and bronze.
 The
NORTH WEST is once again a metal sector, zone of influential people,
important meetings, mentors and networking, Pa Kua number 6, so
the colours previously mentioned would also be very good here, as
well as grays. Stone and metal sculptures are good, especially of
warrior protectors. Wind chimes and bells made of metal can also
be used in this sector.
The
NORTH---your Career and Life Journey sector could be used to place
a water feature. Any blues, especially dark blues are good in this
zone. Blacks can be used as well but do not overdo them. Perhaps
a clump of Dragon Grass,' Ophiopogon Planiscapus 'Nigra'! What a
great name.
A Tortoise
ornament here would be well positioned, as would be a warrior figure.
You could also have a birdbath here, which would count as a water
feature [as it would also in the South East].
The
NORTH EAST, area of study, learning, spirituality and inner self is
an earth element sector, Pa Kua number 8 and should contain pebble
gardens, small rockeries and any stone buildings. Stone Buddha shrines
are also good in this area. It is a good place for a quiet reading
zone, particularly if the reading material is about spiritual or philosophical
matters.
Herbs
and alpines are a good choice of plants to have here and the colours
can be very earthy, oranges, reds, pinks, and yellows. Plants in terra
cotta pots are excellent in this zone. A barbecue is well positioned
in this zone.
Finally,
the EAST is the sector of Family, Health, Longevity and the realisation
of ambitions. It is a wood element area with the number three. The
colours here should be green and yet more greens of all shades. A
bamboo here placed here is excellent. Bamboo was thought to be very
good for health and longevity and the pine tree specifically for longevity.
A
Buddha of Ho Tai[the Laughing Buddha] or Shakymuni[the Indian Buddha]
would be good here. Yellow Chrysanthemums are thought to be good in
this area.There is a town in China where a lot of people live beyond
a hundred years. In the same area are loads of Chrysanthemums and
it is thought their essence permeates the water supply, thus helping
with longevity.
In this
zone you could have other symbols of longevity, including cranes or
deer. Ornamental fruit trees are thought to be good Feng Shui in this
area. Throughout the compass directions of the Pa Kua, any 'poison
arrows' can be deflected by using plants, trees, ornaments or a combination
of all three. Any prickly plants such as roses, holly or berberis--if
you must have them--- are best located on a boundary, where they can
be described as protectors.
Also
useful on noisy boundaries are large empty pots. They seem
to help 'quieten down' any noise.
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www.fengshuidoctor.co.uk
Paul
is
in great demand for his wide ranging skills as a consultant,
speaker and writer. With a Ph.D in Oriental Philosophy[1996],
Paul, a Buddhist, speaks with avid enthusiasm on all things
oriental. Paul is a registered consultant with the Feng Shui
Society(U.K.) and is a member of its Executive Committee.
He is a member of the Japanese Garden Societies[UK and America].
Writes Advanced Feng Shui and Oriental Philosophy courses
for The British School of Yoga as well as courses on Japanese
Garden Design for The
Horticultural College, Wiltshire. He also writes a regular
Feng Shui Doctor advice page in The Feng Shui Society Journal.
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