How to Create a Serenity Feng Shui Garden Design

Diagram the Garden With the Feng Shui Octagon

• 1

  Lay the picture of the feng shui octagon, the Ba Gua, on top of the drawing of the area you wish to plant.

• 2

  Observe where each of the feng shui life areas falls within the garden drawing. The feng shui octagon should be positioned so that the bottom of the octagon is at the front of the garden. The nine feng shui life areas include Helpful People, located at the right front of the octagon; Career, which is center front of the octagon; and Knowledge, located at the left front. Family resides at the center left of the octagon, Wealth/Money at the back left and Fame/Reputation at the back center. The Marriage/Partnership area is located in the back right, Children are at center right and Health occupies the center of the octagon.

• 3

  Look at each section of the garden and what life area influences it. Each of these life areas corresponds to areas of your personal life. Although the octagon works best on top of a square, it doesn't matter what shape your chosen garden is. Make the octagon drawing large enough to encompass the garden diagram to determine what life areas influence which parts of the garden.

Plotting Out What to Plant

• 4

  Go out to the garden area with your drawings. Observe what is already located in each life area of the garden. Consider moving things that are easy to relocate if they don't fit into the life area influence. For instance, if your garbage can is located in the Marriage/Partnership area, find a different place for it to reside.

• 5

  Observe the light and soil condition of your garden. Look at the garden to see which areas get sun and which get shade. Pick up a handful of the soil to determine its condition. Write this information on the garden diagram; it will help you choose plants to put in each space.

• 6

  Choose colors to put into each section of your garden, as defined by their corresponding life areas. Write this information on your garden diagram. Use different colors and materials in each of these areas to help increase the energy flow within the plotted area. Colors can be part of a plant, a garden ornament, a fixture, a piece of furniture or a garden-enhancing object, such as a fountain or birdbath. Specific color suggestions include black and dark blues for the Career area; black, blues and greens for Knowledge; and green, blues and blue-green for Family. Wealth/Money welcomes greens, blues, purples and reds; Red invokes Fame/Reputation; Marriage/Partnership seeks pinks, reds and white. Children are represented by white; Helpful People by white, gray and black; while yellows, oranges and earth tones represent Health.

• 7

  Visit your local garden center and consult with a plant expert to confirm that your chosen plants will do well in your garden.