Using Flowers to Bring Calm

One of the nice things about summer is the richness of
the colors of flowers that are abounding. Daisies, lilies,
roses, petunias, and so much more. Even the most
cynical among us is touched by the burst of colors.

Many people mistakenly think that plants and flowers
are just something nice to look at. A female thing. If
you're thinking that way, you're missing some of the
most important benefits of plants and flowers.

Studies have shown that lots of green leafy plants help
calm you and help relieve depression. This in turn helps
you focus better and think more clearly. May be it has
to do with the oxygen they give off?

Similar studies show that just looking at flowers reduces
stress. The scent of flowers is also calming. Lavender is
especially known for it's calming qualities.

In Feng Shui, flowers are said to strengthen family
harmony and keep the flow of affection in all directions.
When you get deeper into feng shui, there are different
energies produced by placing certain colors in certain
areas of your home. Green leafy plants in the entryway
draw good energy into the house.

If you have a lot of arguments in your house, you may
have too much chi energy in your home. Feng Shui
suggests putting plants in rich black soil in the south
portion of your home to calm things down.

Bathrooms in the south part of the house are believed to
increase your chances of getting sued. Feng Shui
prescription is to decorate with tall plants and wood.

Yellow flowers are said to have healing qualities in
general. When you place them in the center of your
home they keep you centered and balanced.

For financial harmony, surround yourself with red
flowers. Fruit bearing branches represent abundance
and good fortune. To keep the berries from falling off
longer, scrape the bark off the bottom of the stems
before putting them in water so that more water flows
up to them. One of the hottest decorating trends this
year is to put single

buds in small juice glasses. Place them across a mantle
or shelf, or at everyone's place at the dinner table to
keep things calm. Think that will look good in my
Pokemon Welch's jelly glasses?

Or how about a prosperity centerpiece?

* Place a presoaked floral foam cylinder on a plate. For
a small centerpiece, use a 4 inch cylinder.

* Spread a little of that moss stuff around the bottom
edge, or cover the bottom edge with a piece of yellow
or red ribbon.

* Cut your red or yellow (or combination of both) roses
to 3 inches long. For the small arrangement, you will
need 4 nice sized roses. Push them, evenly spaced, into
the top floral cylinder.

* Now fill in with flowers, leaves, and berry branches.

* Stick a candle in the center.

For best energy results, use fresh flowers. (But Michaels
has a 50% off sale on silk flowers pretty often too.)

If you're looking for some fresh ideas for your gardens
outside- here are more feng shui tips-

* Purple flowers planted in the south part of your garden
increase passion. Petunias are a good low maintenance
choice.

* Deep red flowers planted in the west part of your
Garden bring success in business. I have red lilies, of
course.

* Creamy white flowers planted in the north part of your
garden (not the north side of your house) quiet anxieties.
I like either lilies or fragrant roses.

* Ferns and grasses planted in the east part of the
garden keep you feeling fresh and vitalized. I have
Yucca. Not exactly a fern, actually it's an evergreen, but
I like it.

Next year I want a cutting garden so I can enjoy the
benefits of flowers even more!

And for you men reading this thinking, I don't want to
mess with flowers.... I've known many manly men who
have put together great gardens. My grandfather and my
next door neighbor are two of them. And what about
that funny guy who does the gardening show on HGTV?
I love that show!

Whether indoors or out, and whether you believe in
such things as feng shui, working with plants and flowers
really is therapeutic. It can be as expensive or as
inexpensive as you want. It can be a large project, or a
very small one. It can be in any colors. Get creative!

Gardening is not only a good mental exercise, it's great
physical activity too.

And then kick back in your easy chair with the beverage
of your choice and relax and enjoy the fruits of your
labor.