Outdoor Sanctuary Design Concepts Influenced by Feng Shui for Peaceful Garden Environment

In the heart of San Francisco, master gardener Teo Spengler shares her knowledge and passion for horticulture with the public, hosting tours at the city's renowned Botanical Garden. With over two decades of study under her belt, Teo is an expert in creating harmonious outdoor spaces that embody the principles of Feng Shui.

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art that aims to balance yin and yang energies and improve the flow of positive chi within a space. In a landscape, this can be achieved by strategically placing elements that represent the five fundamental Feng Shui elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.

Wood can take the form of trees and shrubs, with their strong, upright growth symbolising growth and expansion. Fire can be represented by vibrant flowers or an outdoor fireplace, embodying warmth and energy. Water can be found in moving water features or flowers with cool colours, symbolising the flow of life and nourishment. Metal can be present in metal lawn chairs, wind chimes, or other metallic decorative items, representing stability and strength. Lastly, earth is represented by soil, rocks, and pottery, grounding the space and providing a sense of stability.

The foundations for creating a Feng Shui landscape include dividing the garden into nine zones based on the Bagua map, ensuring good energy flow (Chi), balancing the five elements, and harmonising the Yin and Yang opposites. The garden's orientation can be determined by either the compass method aligning with geographical directions or the three-doors Bagua method aligning with the main entrance axis.

Placement of items near entryways or passages is particularly important in Feng Shui landscaping since these are the ways that energy enters or leaves from a space. Increasing yang in a garden with too much yin energy can be resolved by planting trees or foliage plants, growing a garden, or cutting back trees to allow in more sunshine. Conversely, decreasing yin and increasing yang in a garden with too much yang energy can be achieved by bringing in a water feature or planting a lush lawn.

Balancing yin and yang elements improves the flow of positive chi and keeps away negative sha. This balance is crucial in creating a serene and harmonious outdoor space. Many gardeners find peace and harmony in their outdoor space, but using Feng Shui for gardens may increase that serenity and the benefits it brings.

Teo Spengler's passion for trees is evident in her outdoor garden, where she tends to over 250 trees. Her extensive experience gardening in a range of climates, having been raised in Alaska and currently splitting her life between San Francisco and the French Basque Country, allows her to offer valuable insights and advice for creating a thriving Feng Shui garden.

For those interested in learning more about Feng Shui landscaping, Teo hosts public tours at the San Francisco Botanical Garden, offering a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience and insights into this ancient art. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, Teo's tours provide a valuable resource for creating a beautiful, balanced, and harmonious outdoor space.

Outdoor Sanctuary Design Concepts Influenced by Feng Shui for Peaceful Garden Environment