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Harmony, balance is key to creating Asian-style garden
BY GEORGIA TASKER
Tea roses and hibiscus are from China, but growing them doesn't make a Chinese garden. There are techniques to bring a touch of Chinese gardening to South Florida.
You can incorporate tenets of Feng Shui, the Chinese tradition of placing objects and plants in certain areas to increase the flow of positive energy and harmonious balance.
Miami Feng Shui instructor and professional interior designer Jami Lin, author of six books on the subject, explains the ancient Chinese ideas of harmony and balance by drawing a circle. Earth, represented by the color yellow, is in the center of the circle. It is the chi, energy of life. At four points around the circle are the four cardinal directions.
North is associated with winter; its element is water and its color black. East corresponds to spring, wood and the color green. South is summer, and its element is fire, its color, and red. West is autumn; its element metal and its color is white.
"In every vista, if you have one of the five elements or colors represented, you get a balance and interesting design," she said.
Each direction also is associated with personal aspirations. Fame is enhanced by red flowers or fruit trees; wealth by wood, green and flowing water; health by the color yellow and stone paths.
Such tips are what Lin calls baby Feng Shui. "It's a lifelong study and the learning never ends---and it is fun to keep learning!" | 
