Colors are probably the most powerful design factor in garden design. And plants are generally the easiest and most dominant element where color and contrast can be achieved and manipulated.

However, for many gardeners and landscapers in their quest for the perfect color combinations, there is another side to plants that is often overlooked. And that would be the contrast of the many wonderful and varied textures of plants. Specifically and for the sake of this article, green plants. And yes, green is a color.

Green plants not only serve as a color element just as any other color, but can also be used as a neutral transitional color that ties other elements and colors together. Or in other words, as a filler or where one area of the garden transitions to the next. Natural transition is very important in garden design.

I was reminded the other day as I spoke with a client of how so many people actually overlook green as actually being a color design element in garden and landscape design.

As we talked about her project I pointed out that we now had four colors in her plan and that we needed to repeat them throughout the design to create some balance. Remember, balance and repetition are principles of landscaping. She questionably stated that we only had three colors in her design.

At first I was puzzled but soon understood what she meant. Green isnt really a color. Its just the medium that holds the real colored parts in place.

Now if we looked at green as just being a neutral medium, I might be able to go along with this. However, as a designer, I see it in a much different way. There are many shades of green that hold many different textures that can create such wonderful contrasts that can de designed with.

Some of the most vibrant and lush gardens Ive ever seen have simply displayed this one color in many variations. Light greens, dark greens, yellow greens, etc. And I havent even touched on texture here. Even the same shade of green in different textures creates a wonderful contrast for designing purposes.

Try and picture the lushness and beauty of a dark jungle. Their beauty and contrast are generally created by the variations of shade and texture and not bright colors. Shady gardens that resemble a deep forest or jungle are absolutely beautiful in their own right.

Keep this in mind when planning your next garden. Just as one example, a mixture of Hostas, Ferns, and Ornamental Grasses can create a very memorable and eye catching display using the color green.

Yes green is a color.

Colors are probably the most powerful design factor in garden design. And plants are generally the easiest and most dominant element where color and contrast can be achieved and manipulated.

However, for many gardeners and landscapers in their quest for the perfect color combinations, there is another side to plants that is often overlooked. And that would be the contrast of the many wonderful and varied textures of plants. Specifically and for the sake of this article, green plants. And yes, green is a color.

Green plants not only serve as a color element just as any other color, but can also be used as a neutral transitional color that ties other elements and colors together. Or in other words, as a filler or where one area of the garden transitions to the next. Natural transition is very important in garden design.

I was reminded the other day as I spoke with a client of how so many people actually overlook green as actually being a color design element in garden and landscape design.

As we talked about her project I pointed out that we now had four colors in her plan and that we needed to repeat them throughout the design to create some balance. Remember, balance and repetition are principles of landscaping. She questionably stated that we only had three colors in her design.

At first I was puzzled but soon understood what she meant. Green isnt really a color. Its just the medium that holds the real colored parts in place.

Now if we looked at green as just being a neutral medium, I might be able to go along with this. However, as a designer, I see it in a much different way. There are many shades of green that hold many different textures that can create such wonderful contrasts that can de designed with.

Some of the most vibrant and lush gardens Ive ever seen have simply displayed this one color in many variations. Light greens, dark greens, yellow greens, etc. And I havent even touched on texture here. Even the same shade of green in different textures creates a wonderful contrast for designing purposes.

Try and picture the lushness and beauty of a dark jungle. Their beauty and contrast are generally created by the variations of shade and texture and not bright colors. Shady gardens that resemble a deep forest or jungle are absolutely beautiful in their own right.

Keep this in mind when planning your next garden. Just as one example, a mixture of Hostas, Ferns, and Ornamental Grasses can create a very memorable and eye catching display using the color green.

Yes green is a color.

Trees are important life source and vital members of our outdoor community. Often called the lungs of the Earth, trees take the carbon dioxide that we breathe out and return it to us as oxygen. They also prevent groundwater run-off and soil erosion. It is obvious that trees are a crucial part of our living Earth and treasured members of our landscape family.

Besides being beautiful, they provide us with shade, beauty, and a wonderful place to climb or swing from. Fruit and nut trees give us good things to eat. On a less tangible level, trees also exert a powerful influence on the feng shui of our homes. For this reason, it is important to look at the trees surrounding your home. What else do trees have to offer us? Lets take a look at the feng shui of trees.

1. Trees give excellent support. Planted at the rear of a house, trees provide important Mountain support at the rear of a property. Ideally, all homes and businesses are situated on a lot with a rise at the rear of the property. If this rise is missing, or if the landscape is flat, or if there is nothing taller or larger than your house or building, vital support can be missing, making you have to struggle in key areas of your life. This rear support is a critical element in feng shui. Planting a row of 5 trees across the back of the property can simulate the missing support.

2. Plant bamboo for the best luck of all. Bamboo is considered a tree although its habit is more like that of a hedge. At the back of a property, bamboo gives solid support. At the left or east side of the property, it gives excellent dragon energy considered the best energy of all. At the front of the property, bamboo gives very auspicious energy for wealth and opportunity. The front is considered its most auspicious planting location. So, consider potting bamboo to put in the front of your home!

3. Flowering trees bring reward. Orange trees are believed to bring wealth and are especially beneficial when planted in the SE corner of the garden. Lime trees are also helpful and bring wealth, particularly to SE facing homes. Lime and oranges planted at the front of the house bring great opportunities in the form of wealth and advancement.

Apple trees are believed to promote good relationships in the home. Plant pomegranates to stimulate love even pregnancy. Planted in the south, pomegranates and apples can also bring recognition luck. Plant peaches in the west for excellent and lasting childrens luck and family happiness.

4. Plant trees to raise beneficial chi. If your home or business slopes down on the left side (as you look out of the house) or is low here, trees can be planted to raise the chi. This puts the auspicious dragon more in control, rather than the tiger (or right) side of the house. Be sure to have trees planted on both sides of the house to keep the household harmonious. Trees on the left control the husbands anger and trees on the right control the wifes anger.

5. Trees promote growth and good health. Planted on the east side of the house, trees can stimulate personal growth and good health. Select large hardwood varieties for this side of the house.

6. Plant pines for longevity. Want to grow to be a ripe old age? Plant pine trees. These are considered to be especially auspicious when planted in the east corner of the yard.

7. Remove dead trees. Dead or decaying trees can draw a tremendous amount of energy from a home. Be sure to remove any dead or dying trees, especially if someone in the home is ill or elderly.

8. Trees must not touch the house. Any tree touching a house will give the house yin energy which is negative energy. Make sure there are no limbs touching the house.

9. Keep trees away from earth corners. Earth corners include the SW, NE, and center locations. Strenuously avoid having trees at the center of your lot or home (either in a container or in an inner courtyard) as this causes severe financial difficulties. Trees planted in the SW corner of the garden create relationship difficulties and trees in the NE create educational problems.

10. Use trees to block negative energy. If there is a view of something that is unappealing, or a church, hospital, or cemetery directly across from your house, plant a row of trees to block the energy. They can also be planted to block poison arrows created by roads.

11. Trees must not be planted in front of the door. Trees that block a door, block opportunities and promote personal struggles with finances and career. Either remove the tree or if you cant cut the tree down, then place a gazing ball or mirror that pushes the tree energy back.

12. Plant weeping willows in the water sectors. Weeping willows and other weeping plants are generally not considered to be good feng shui. However, I believe they can be planted as long as attention is paid to where they are planted. For instance, they should not be planted in front of the house or there will be problems with career and constant stress and sadness. They should also not be planted at the rear, as they suggest water, and water at the rear of a property is not beneficial.

Instead, plant them where their fountain effect is utilized, such as the SE, N, or E sectors of the garden, unless these areas happen to be at the front or the rear of the property.

Kathryn Weber is the publisher of the Red Lotus Letter feng shui e-zine and is dedicated to helping her readers develop successful, prosperous, and supportive environments with feng shui. To subscribe, logon to www.redlotusletter.com and receive this special report Fr*ee 16 Feng Shui Secrets for Greater Prosperity.

kweber@redlotusconsulting.com