Bringing Balance to Your Plant Garden Using the
Bringing the four elements to the plant garden can open up many avenues into oneself. Just as Feng shui corrects the positive and negative influences of interior placement, incorporating the elements of Fire, Water, Air and Earth can bring balance and peace to the plant garden.
The first element of Fire, representing the South, opens the flow of chi to the head, neck, shoulder and arms. Its color is commonly red and can be found in the fire from a fire pit or candles Knockout Double Red Roses, Japanese Red Maple, Weigela Wine and Roses, Echinacea Tomato Soup, Monarda Fire Ball, Pineapple Sage, Arctic Fire Dogwood, Nishiki Willow, and the Cotoneaster Coral Beauty. Presence of Fire in the garden can increase Productivity.
The second element of Water, representing the West, opens the flow of chi to the abdomen and human emotion. Its color is commonly blue which can be applied to a water fountain, bird bath, blue reflection ball, Russian Sage, Nikko Blue Hydrangea, Purple Dome Aster, Veronica Royal Candles, Hibiscus Blue Satin and Hibiscus Blue Chiffon. The presence of Water brings Serenity.
The third element of Air, representing the East, opens the flow of chi to the chest and lungs. Although yellow is the color commonly used, air can also be found through the use of whirligigs, wind chimes, windsocks and fragrant plants such as Lavender plants, Lemon Thyme, Rosemary Arp, and Mock Orange. Yellow can be found in the plants Lilium Painted Pixie, Yarrow Moonshine, Forsythia, Sungold Cypress, Knockout Sunny Roses, Angelina Sedum, and Black-Eyed Susans. The presence of Air in the garden brings Happiness.
The fourth element of Earth, representing the North, opens the flow of chi to the feet, legs and lower abdomen. Earth is green; the color of nature, but can also be found in objects taken from Earth such as rocks/stone for a path or wood from a fallen tree might be used to build a bench. Green can be found in plants such as Heucheras Electric Lime Heuchera, Ornamental Grasses, Hostas, Ferns, SkyRocket Juniper, Emerald Green Arborvitae, Thuja Green Giants, and Boxwood Wintergreen. Build Confidence with Earth in the garden.
The fifth element, and most forgotten, is Akasha. This element will open the flow of chi to the human aura and the brain. Akasha, the center of the universe, is the only element that we can't see, feel, smell or touch. It is energy or inner spirit. The colors of white and/or purple are the associated colors for Akasha. Center your garden with Mock Orange, Hydrangea Incrediball, Shasta Daisy, Black Knight Buddleia, Old Fashion Lilac, Persian Lilac, Hibiscus Diana, Hibiscus Morning Star, Viburnum Japanese Snowball and Lavender plants. Akasha in the garden creates harmony with the mind, body and spirit.
Yes, I do have Russian sage in the Western area of my garden, Moonshine Yarrow in the East, ornamental grasses in the North, Japanese Red Maple in the South along with Mock Orange for Akasha and those are just the beginning. Maybe that is why I feel so centered when I retreat to my garden.
Other ways to make your garden magical is to add plants that provide fragrance and plants whose leaves or blooms will reflect the moonlight. Fragrant plants will include: Lavenders, Rosemary, Lemon Thyme, Oregano, Spice Bush, Shrub Roses, Mock Orange, Old Fashion Lilac, Persian Lilac and Sweetbay Magnolia. Plants whose leaves or blooms will reflect moonlight will include: Variegated Solomon's Seal, Burgundy Lace (Japanese Painted) Fern, Incrediball Hydrangea, Russian Sage, Pink Muhly Ornamental Grass, Pee Gee Hydrangea, Heuchera Mystic Angel, Fire & Ice Hosta, Patriot Hosta, and the Nishiki Willow.
Whether you get your compass out and place the elements to their corresponding colors and directions or just include these plants within your garden or landscape, you can still reap the benefits of their presence. To keep the positive/negative balance, place at least one plant in each of the corresponding elements direction. This will allow the elements to work together in unity.