Landscape design is not just about putting up plants, trees, shrubs, bushes, adding a greenhouse or a fountain and laying the lawn. It reveals one’s mental attitude in life. The outdoor space is also full of energy and channelizing it will be of advantage to the well being of yourself and your family. Placing every object in your garden according to the principles of feng shui will not only bring about the harmony in the energies that surround, its impact will result natural, healing and prospering environment. Here are some tips to help you apply the principles of feng shui to your landscape design. The art of feng shui divides every environment into eight directions, or trigrams. Each trigram has specific characteristics and these can be utilized for optimum advantage.

• The North characterizes creativity, inspiration and personal growth. Its influence can be heightened by using placing water i.e. waterfall, fountain, etc. in this direction.


• The Northeast is for knowledge, wisdom and spiritual growth. This place should ideally have items made from earth like stone benches or rock gardens and avoid plants and trees in this region.
  
  
• The East is characterized by new life, rejuvenation and health. Wood is the best element to use in this direction. Plants and herbs in this direction are also helpful. This place should ideally have no metal or artificial structures.
  
  
• The Southeast is for wealth and prosperity. As with the east, plant trees in this direction and avoid metal.
  
  
• The South signifies opportunities or dreams and is a great place for fire. If you were planning on having a barbeque pit, this is the ideal place for it!
  
  
• The Southwest is important for romance, marriage and motherhood. This would be a great place to place seating arrangement and avoid plant and trees.
  
  
• The West is for children. Metal in items like swings, slides, etc are good in this area. Fire should be avoided here.
  
  
• The Northwest is meant for travel, fatherhood and trade. Like the west, use metal in this region and avoid fire.
  
• Here are some more tips for you to understand the feng shui landscape design and to help you create for yourself a feng shui garden:
  
  
Water bodies: Water can bring positive energy into any space, as long as it is not stagnant. Avoid building pond, instead have a fountain or a waterfall installed.

Types of plants: Avoid thorny or spiky plants. Try and maintain a multicolored flower bed throughout the year. Herbs: A lot of focus is placed on the use of herbs with medicinal properties.

The Green Dragon


The Dragon is the most powerful protective symbol in the house Feng Shui. This celestial animal is the major provider of luck, and is responsible for happiness and well-being. The Green Dragon’s structures are located to the left of the house (when looking at the front door from the outside). Their task is to add to the family’s wealth.Something higher than the house should be located to the left of it to attract luck and wealth. It can be a building, a hill, or a tree. If such an element is missing, a picture or a figurine of a dragon should be placed on the internal left-hand wall of the house.

The White Tiger

This Feng Shui animal symbolizes a reliable protection. It constrains the negative, and balances the Dragon’s power. The White Tiger’s structures are located to the right of the house, opposite to the Dragon’s structures. They protect home from thefts, murders, and ruining. The Tiger's structures should be lower than structures on the left side. If they aren’t, it might be a good idea to place some low-level lighting along the right side of the house. Placing a picture or a figurine of a tiger on the internal right-hand wall of the house is also a way of improving the house Feng Shui.

The Red Phoenix

The Phoenix symbolized rebirth, success, recognition, and new opportunities. It is located in front of the house, and protects home from negative external influences.

This celestial animal can be represented by a low fence, an open space, or a mound in front of the house. Since the Phoenix is associated with red color, adding more red to the area around the front door will reinforce the energy of this Feng Shui animal. If there is a wall or a high building in front of the house, put something in between. A bird house can be a good variant because birds neutralize negative energy. A peacock feather in the front door area will also help: its rich colors will restore the normal energy flow.

The Black Turtle

The Turtle symbolizes support, stability, and longevity. It protects home from everything negative. It is located behind the house, and can be represented by a flat hill, or some other solid structure. This Feng Shui animal provides luck, and is responsible for the success of the home owner. A little picture or a figure of a turtle on the back wall of the house will add to the home’s well-being. The ideal variant is to have a live turtle living in an aquarium near the back wall. Use representations of the Four Celestial Animals of Feng Shui to protect home from negative energy, and reinforce the influence of positive one. Well-represented and balanced, the animals' power will fill the house with wealth, health, success, and well-being.