Although Wydra focuses on a more rigorous application of feng shui practices, the purpose of these articles is to explore the ideas as they relate to general garden design. These are my thoughts on some of those ideas. In the last two articles, I talked about design elements that contributed to clarity. In this article, I want to explore complexity, mystery and refuge. Complexity feeds the curiosity.
Complexity is built of diverging details, luring the visitor s attention and senses.
Complexity is not the shock of opposites or the clash of wild colors. Colors, textures, shapes, sizes should be related. A micro-mini rose planted next to a cryptomeria is a lost soul, not a discovery. Think of complexity as seasonings. Meat and potatoes would be inedible without at least some salt, quite tasty with the right types and amounts of seasoning, but overpowered by too much.