For hundreds of years in China and Japan landscape and garden design has been a way to reflect not only the Tao and Zen philosophy, but also it has been a significant blending of painting, poetry, sound, sculpture, color and movement.

We can create a garden using Feng Shui principles to experience the human connection with nature and achieving a sense of harmony and balance.

That peaceful sense is created in the garden by arranging plants and ornaments in a way that the flow of Chi produces a feeling of peace and tranquility. The symmetry between shapes and patterns in nature are the best source of inspiration; also called Sacred Geometry.

The circle or sphere represents the eternal perfection of the heavens. The strength of the earth is achieved by making squares which also mean foundation and stability. Triangles represent mind, body and spirit. Labyrinths are spiritual paths. A central point in the garden provides orientation and should be an inviting focus.

Autumn in Australia is from May through June and is a time to prepare and have ready the annuals we want to flower in spring. It is also the time to protect or plant the trees and shrubs that will develop during winter. At the time when the perennials are ready to cut back, it is time to start saving water, pruning and remove unwanted foliage.

In Feng Shui gardening, plants that are beneficial to the Chi and Earth energy on the South West side of your garden are those with yellow, pink, orange or red colors.  If you already have a Maple tree or another deciduous tree with fallen leaves, it is time to make them into good compost that will be the nourishment for other areas of your garden. 

Saving is the keyword word in autumn which also is one of the characteristics of the Earth element in Feng Shui. Many people see autumn as the end of a season, but really is the beginning of what will develop and bloom in spring time.

To enhance and promote the benefits of the Earth element on the South West side of your garden, use the plants and objects in the following list:

Trees: Maple, Orange, yellow and pink Banksias, yellow wattles or Cassia Fistula trees.
Shrubs and small plants: Chrysanthemums, pink and yellow roses, bird of paradise, yellow tulips or daffodils, yellow or orange Kangaroo Paw and Cat’s-paw.
If you have a vegetable garden, carrots and pumpkins will keep also the Chi of the Earth element in the South West.

Ornaments: Use square shaped or earth solid objects such as rocks as well as clay or ceramic sculptures or figurines. Use ceramic or clay pots in natural or earthy colors.  

The South West side of your home or garden is perfect for a winding path made of gravel or stone. If light is a feature illuminating your garden at the night, yellow lights are a perfect fit.

Colors: Autumn colors, from pink through orange to dark brown.   

Search the Waterwise link from the Water Corporation for other plants suitable to the Western Australia climate.

The SERCUL link will give you awareness and guidance about the use of fertilizers in your plants http://www.sercul.org.au/pag.html

The Water Corporation link will guide you to select plants that are water wise. You can see the pictures of the plants, as well as its grown habits, flower colors and the most suitable to be planted.  Although it focuses on Perth, you maybe able to apply the information and advice, to your own situation.  Use this link when planning your garden: http://www.watercorporation.com.au/W/waterwise_plants_perth_index.cfm
And if you are not in Perth search to see if your local water provider has similar advice for your area.

For a detailed map of Perth that you can use for planning your Feng Shui garden, look at the brochure “Grow Local Plants”; a list of plants for the five main soil areas in Perth. http://www.localplants.nmcg.com.au/

A NOTE ON TIPS The tips provided in this section only apply outside of your house or building. The external Feng Shui analysis of a place is very different from that for the inside.

• To fix missing corners in a house or building, that is, houses/buildings that don’t have a square or rectangular shape, or to alter an irregular block of land so that it has symmetrical proportions, build a garden or a shape with boundaries or lines that artificially create a connection with the building.
• Avoid too many straight lines; they produce Sha Chi (negative Chi). Garden beds and paths in wavy or curved shapes suggest the flow of water and the wind in slow motion.
• In Feng Shui, in the Later Heaven Ba Gua, West represents the Metal Element, the youngest daughter, the red color, the sunset and also the autumn.