Diana Duff is a plant adviser, educator and consultant with an organic farm in Captain Cook.
BY DIANA DUFF | SPECIAL TO WEST HAWAII TODAY
Local feng shui expert Clear Englebert has a new book out. This one, “Feng Shui for Hawaii Gardens,” is of special interest to local plant-lovers. It can help you learn ways to design and manage a garden that can draw positive energy to your property, balance the energy that exists and protect your home.
The wonderful thing about this book is that it can be useful to those of us who know very little about feng shui. Englebert’s earlier book, “Feng Shui for Hawaii,” covers the fundamental principles while this latest tome provides information on using the principles with specific facts and instructions.
In chapter one, “Inviting Chi Energy,” Englebert advises against installing sharp, thorny plants near the entrance to your property. Not only does he give advice, he also includes photos and descriptive information for more than 40 plants with rounded leaves that would be good choices for use along the road, your drive and up to your front door.
Leaf shape and color are important features to consider near the entrance to your home. He recommends splashes of red to attract positive energy and likens using colorful plants in shades of red at your property’s entrance to enhancing your face by applying lipstick.
His advice to use water features as a way of attracting wealth is also valuable. In Hawaii, this feng shui principle is part of the language. Wai in Hawaiian means fresh water. Waiwai means wealth.
In addition to describing ways to attract positive energy to your property, Englebert describes the feng shui principle that incorporates the dragon, tiger, turtle and bird to create a protective balance around your home. Again he specifies and describes plants to help you achieve the goal of feng shui balance.
The book contains many gardening suggestions that can help protect your home from disturbing influences. Negative chi can be blocked, reflected back or disbursed and Englebert offers numerous ways to do that, again by suggesting a variety of readily available plants and objects.
Many of the problems you might come across in pursuing feng shui in your garden are clearly and summarily addressed in the book. Several suggestions for dealing with foreboding elements like a littered lot next door or disturbing neighbors are included. Plant suggestions are also made.
The second half of the book is dedicated to the many elements that play a part in the overall feng shui of your property. The shape of your lot, as well as the placement of buildings on it, are discussed.
Hardscapes, including pathways, bridges, s ponds, outdoor lighting and the addition of furniture and art all play important parts in creating an ideal garden. “Feng Shui for Hawaii Gardens” elaborates on ways to use these garden additions as part of your feng shui plan.
A chapter on plant symbolism offers ways to use plants to help you achieve goals in your garden, as well as in your life. Tips abound in the section on maintenance, which focuses on ways to keep your garden well maintained with minimal disturbance to the peaceful, quiet place you are creating.
The last chapter, “Special Gardens,” is a particularly fun read with food, Zen, lanai and fragrant gardens included. In this chapter and throughout the book Englebert offers plant suggestions that include descriptive information and photos of plants to consider.
Even if you see no need for changes to your garden, this book offers information on a wide variety of tropical plants that many of us already have in our gardens. The book is available at Kona Stories bookstore where Englebert will be giving a seminar at 1 p.m. Saturday. He will also be appearing to sign books at Tropical Edibles Nursery on March 21 and 24. Call them at 328-0420 for times and more information.
Tropical
gardening helpline
Ronnie asks: I want to plant the native Hawaiian tree ohe makai in my landscape and wanted to know if it has and medicinal or cultural uses. Does it?
Answer: Ohe makai, Reynoldsia sandwicensis, is an endemic Hawaiian tree in the Arialaceae family. It is a good tree to plant at lower elevations in Kona since it does well there in full sun or partial shade and needs very little water.
It is a deciduous tree that loses its leaves during our dry winter, but as it matures the branches can twist and turn into intricate designs, which can make the bare tree look like a work of art.
No medicinal uses were indicated in my research but mention was made of the use of its soft, white wood being used to make stilts.
The leaves of the ohe makai are attractive, as are the flower buds. It can grow to 30 feet tall so leave it plenty of space. Enjoy the tree for its beauty and install other natives like mamaki or kookoo lau as well so that you can make some tea from them and relax while enjoying your lovely ohe makai.
Email plant questions to konamg@ctahr.hawaii.edu for answers by certified master gardeners. Some questions will be chosen for inclusion in this column.
Diana Duff is a plant adviser, educator and consultant with an organic farm in Captain Cook.