Your Serenity Garden

Article by Cheryl D. Jones

Bringing the four elements to the 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 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, Gaillardia Burgundy, 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, English Country 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, 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 Heuchera Lime Ricky, Ornamental Grasses, Hostas, Ferns, Spartan Juniper, Emerald Green Arborvitae 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, Hibiscus Violet Satin, Hydrangea Incrediball, Anemone, Shasta Daisy, Echinacea White Swan, Black Knight Buddleia, Old Fashion Lilac, Persian Lilac, Hibiscus Diana, Hibiscus Morning Star, White Profusion Buddleia, Viburnum Japanese Snowball and Lavender. Akasha in the garden creates harmony with the mind, body and spirit.

Russian sage is 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.

Whether you get your compass out and place the elements to their corresponding colors and directions or just include these colors within your garden or landscape, you can still reap the benefits of their presence. To keep the positive/negative balance, place at least one corresponding plant in each of the corresponding elements direction. This will allow the elements to work together in unity.

The Garden Corner started with 84 hanging baskets
Filed under: japanese garden wind chimes
Grab a latte and follow the curved wooden walkways to browse containers, fountains, wind chimes, garden art and, of course, plants: shrubs, conifers, succulents, edibles (herbs and veggies), ornamental trees, and Japanese maples. … Read more on OregonLive.com (blog)

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