You may be wondering what’s happening with Number 3. The garden is in a stage of transformation and I would describe it as being ‘’In the Yin’’. As such the plantings are just taking hold and visually imaging a sea of mulch (browns) and plants (greens) doing their thing, lawn taking hold and in all the garden looking drab and its Chi subsided. This is fine during the establishment period and I’ve deliberately chosen this route to experiment by adding at a later date infusions for life, interest and diversity.
I would describe the garden presently as Yin dominant expressed through the elements of Wood (plants) and Earth (mulch). I hold a trick card up my sleeve to alter its appearance and balance the Yin dominance through infusions of Yang. I propose to introduce elements of Fire and Metal with minor plantings of brightly foliaged plants such as Begonia and New Guinea Impatiens to deliberately infuse the garden with symbols of Yang displayed in the reds and whites of the foliage and flowers. In addition, I’ll install some ‘’embellishments’’ or symbolism to introduce the Metal element. Some figurines for example and a couple of Fudogs near the entry points.
I expect the garden to become visually attractive and encourage people to pause and look in while walking by. The notion of sustainability recognised by the heavy mulching, groupings of like plants, control and balance of light and shade movements, moderation of climate and allowing nature to take its course through natural insect and pest controls. The Australian Eastern Grey Kangaroo is plentiful and likely to keep any grass under control while fertilising it. More interesting is the balancing of Yin and Yang and Chi infusion which provides an environment for all within to be in harmony and balance.