Dear Master Lee,

I would like to know how to create a peace & harmony frontgarden and what type of flowers is good for the kind of garden.if house is in the period 8, the front entrance is facing NE. There are 8 steps of the first flight of stair following a square landing and 1 more step before we get to the porch. The above landscape is just a drawing.

Thank you for your enlighten.

Trudy

Dear Trudy,

Frankly, there is no hard and fast rule in garden design.

Even for gardening, there are many factors involved:

1. plot size
2. weather conditions: Tropics / Four Seasons
3. owner's preferences

The type of trees /plants or shrubs would depend on the country we are all in.

In Singapore, especially in the 1970's, it is very common for many landed properties to grow a mango tree in one's compound. In many instances, the mango tree (depending on the garden area) is often planted at the corner of one's garden either at the front-of-the-home or at the back. When this tree is often around 10 to 15 years old, they can be as tall as 3 storey's high and leave quite a large "dark" footprint below the tree, because of it's thick foliage. Good or bad depending on the location. Good as it helps shade homes that directly face the afternoon sun. Bad if the home is north-south facing - as it affects the amount of light entering such a home.

In many instances,a well trimmed or properly maintained garden need not have"jungle" like plants or trees. It (the garden) should be appealing to the us.

If not sure, go for moderation or get a respectable company (professionals) to help design your dream garden! Usually, theywill putup proposals or show some samples of their work and also recommend some "hardy - reliable" plants/trees that suit your country.

Interms of Feng Shui, some use cactus but often this is placed "strategically" at corners or vulnerable locations where someonecan easily climb into the home. - Especially for those who stay ina fenced up home. But inmost parts of America, it seems such full fencing is quite rare..

Warmest Regards,
Cecil