Feng Shui is the art of directing positive energy and deflecting negative energy. In the garden, this is done through the use of natural elements, orientation and location of plants and water features in the landscape.
A front yard is the welcoming face of the house. In Feng Shui it’s considered the hall to the house and nothing should obstruct the flow of positive energy into the house.
Feng Shui garden designers recommend the views should be pleasant, both looking out from the house to the front yard and looking back to the house from the street.
There are several Feng Shui garden design ideas that can be used to create positive energy in your garden. Below are some to get you started.
Natural Pathway
Direct the flow of energy with a pathway of natural stones. This should go from the street to the center of the yard and leading up to the entry of the home.
It’s also a good idea to have the driveway on either side of the house rather than up the middle. Edge the pathway with scented flowers or herbs that release a pleasant fragrance as you brush by.
Also, be careful of using too many hard surfaces which attract negative Chi or energy.
Low Growing Plants
If the center of the front yard is directly in front of the entry to the home, use plants that won’t block the energy flow into the home. That means low-growing plants, ground covers or lawn.
A tree might seem aesthetically pleasing, but it will grow tall enough to block the entry, so is not advisable. Place trees on the sides of the house.
Colorful Flowers
Color draws in energy. Flowering plants do as well. Blue, white and purple colors are calming. Try delphiniums (Delphinium elatum) and larkspur (Delphinium consolida) with a border of petunias (Petunia axillaries). The taller flowers contrast with the lower growing mounding petunias. The spikes of the delphiniums and larkspur complement the round petunia flowers.
Yellow and orange flowers attract goodwill. Try both African (Tagetes erecta) and French marigolds (Tagetes patula) or zinnias (Zinnia elegans).
A low flower bed of red tulips (Tulipa) welcomes spring. Red zinnias and snapdragons (Antirrhinum Majus) bring in the summer.
Red also represents fire, one of the elements of Feng Shui. Earth is represented by yellow. Metal by white and water by blue.
Neat, Uncluttered Garden Beds
Disorder, clutter and dead plants attract negative energy not just in the center of the front yard but any place. Weed the entire yard. Rake the beds and cover with mulch for a neat look. The plants do better with mulch as well.
Trim any dead branches and remove debris from under shrubs. Edge the beds and borders. The view from the street to the entry way should be visible and welcoming.
These Feng Shui garden design ideas are simple to do and will create positive energy for your home.