Feng Shui in the Garden Part II

Feng Shui in the Garden Part II

Placement

Planning the height and layout of vegetation to create a layered effect is an effective way to produce a visually pleasing outcome. Good design in garden feng shui suggests the size and height of foreground plants should gradually segue towards the taller foliage positioned at the rear. This creates an attractive view with the trees or shrubs ‘framing’ the scene and helps to enhance and focus the aesthetic qualities and beauty of the prospect.  

            Compare the relative merits of evergreen versus deciduous species; and consider their appropriateness when planning and in planting. Evergreens provide a year-round ‘freshness’, generally with low maintenance – but there are many beautiful deciduous trees and shrubs that can supply that blaze of russet autumn glory. These may drop their leaves in winter, but recycling leaf-fall into compost and mulch is an eco-savvy way to help reduce our overall carbon footprint and put some goodness back into the soil.

              ‘Go native’; by planting endemic species; plants that are indigenous to your district. These have the added advantage of being naturally adapted to the soils, climate and rainfall of your particular area. This is especially relevant as further climate change is inevitable. Caution! Do consider the final height of any shrub or tree that you may plan to grow. Be wary of roots invading foundations or pipes; and of branches or leaves creating a hazard as the tree or shrub reaches full maturity.  

Time

Luck changes over time, and feng shui therefore, has a time dimension. Feng Shui has many layers. It begins with the basic study of landform, compass direction, environmental influences and how these affect the people living nearby. Then it moves to more complex examinations, deeper levels: such as ‘Nine Palaces’ feng shui and the ‘Bagua’ or ‘Black Hat’ schools of thought. There is also ‘Five Elements in Healing’, a philosophy that we touched on earlier. And becoming increasingly popular is ‘Flying Star’ feng shui, and its interpretation of the natural flow of energy. Flying Star Feng Shui incorporates the dimension of time, as well as that of space, in order to define and categorise influential energies. Taking a holistic approach accepts the basic premise that time is significant in good garden function and design. Flying Star feng shui explains that there are specific (time) cycles. The basic period is a twenty year cycle.  

            Each twenty year period has been allocated a special, designated number: (from 1 – 9) and that number has predictable and distinctive cosmic influences. The present sphere of influence is the number 8 ‘star’; which covers the period from 2004 through to 2023. What does the number 8 ‘star’ mean? Well, each star is not really a physical star, but a representation of the energetic qualities or Nature’s influences. So between 2004 and 2023, the characteristic energies of this star influence our opportunities, finances, relationships, even our general health and well-being. That’s it for this article. Stay tuned for article III in the series: ‘How we can use the 8 Star to advantage in the garden.’ And for more information on holistic gardening techniques; Google “miles trench”. Bye - smiles from miles

 

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