The ancient Chinese established a code for creating comfort in the garden that can also guide Western gardeners. The discipline is known as feng shui.

Harmony in the garden

Feng shui was developed to bring balance, harmony and serenity to people's lives. Its theories are applicable everywhere: workplace, home and garden. In the garden, it gives you an opportunity to take advantage of your environment, ameliorating energy-flow problems that result from the way your house and property are situated.

Feng shui principles can be applied to a formal, traditional, cottage, prairie, naturalized, woodland, rock or any other kind of garden. You need not adhere to all of the principles. Decide which ideas make sense for you.

According to feng shui principles, the ideal spot for a home is halfway up a mountain, with a gentle river in front. This is not possible for most of us.

Feng shui experts have developed cures that symbolically represent the ideal placement and surroundings. A hedge of trees at the back property line represents mountains, and a curving walkway in the front yard stands in for a river.

South is the best direction for a house to face, and ideal lot shapes are squares or rectangles because qi, or ch'i, flows best in symmetrical spaces. Oddly shaped spaces must be adjusted to assist energy flow.

The front yard represents active -- yang -- energy, public space. Yang colors are warm reds, yellows, oranges and bright whites. The front yard should face south because yang energy corresponds to sunlight, which is positive.

The backyard represents passive -- or yin -- energy, representing privacy. Yin colors are cool blues, purples and greens.

Yin also corresponds to darkness or negative, the opposite of yang, which can be good or bad. Most important is balance. A little yang in the backyard and a little yin in the front yard are necessary.

Improve your glow

Here are a few common problems and ways to fix them:

• Driveways and garden beds should curve. If the ones at your home are straight, you can install plants that feather, which creates softer edges.
• Narrow passages on the sides of the house should be lit.
• Anchor houses that stand out architecturally to the landscape by adding plants.
• Screen a road that is aimed straight at your front door with shrubs.
• Attract qi to your front garden entrance with sweet-smelling plants. Avoid thorny plants.
• Make sure the front door is well lit and inviting.
• Focus on making all entrances attractive and make sure gates open inward toward the garden.
• Light paths and gateways, as well as south-facing garden areas. Garden lighting creates yang energy.
• Maintain the garden for all seasons.
• Keep the yard free of debris, clutter and dead wood, as these create an unsettled feeling.
• Keep water features functioning. They are best in the north, south and east.