Healing Gardens
Lynne Forbragd, Anoka County Extension Master Gardener
Have you ever entered a garden and immediately felt the stress leave your body? Did you take a moment to identify what made you feel that way? Maybe the space had some of the same features as a Healing Garden. Healing Gardens have been around for centuries but have recently gained more interest because of their therapeutic qualities.
Nature, in itself, is healing. People who spend more time taking walks, gardening and participating in other outdoor activities are more connected with nature. In hospital settings, studies have shown that patients who had a view of a tree with greenspace recovered much faster compared to patients who had a view of a building.
Five types of therapeutic gardens have been developed in hospital settings and public areas:
Healing Gardens are designed for Alzheimer and dementia patients. The primary components are intended to stimulate the senses, trigger memory, and encourage interaction.
Enabling Gardens provide patients with activities to increase their strength and mobility.
Meditative Gardens such as memory, veteran’s, and mother’s gardens are created to ease the pain of loss and to relieve stress.
Rehabilitative Gardens emotionally bring communities closer together. They restore damaged areas, mostly in urban settings, bringing them back to a place with purpose.
Restorative Gardens are designed for healing people who are experiencing stress from traumatic injuries.
Remedial gardens don’t need to be restricted to hospitals and public spaces. We can design our own gardens with some of the same therapeutic elements by including plants, trees and objects that speak to our senses. Here are some ideas for adding healing elements to your garden space:
Enhance your garden entrance. Inviting entrances create curiosity about what is on the other side. A simple trellis with a vine and sweet-smelling flowers or a gate with a fun design will welcome visitors into your garden. Add scented plants, such as calming lavender and thyme.
Add sound. Bring in the sound of soothing water by incorporating a small water feature. Add bird baths to attract birds for their songs. Choose trees, shrubs and grasses that make sounds in the breeze. Aspen leaves create a wonderful noise when they sway in wind, and pines have a peaceful and calming effect.
Incorporate color. Develop a color palette that is pleasing to you. Use your favorite color combinations and repeat these colors in a variety of plants to create new and interesting textures and focal points.
Create texture. Bring in rocks and trees and include elements that invite touch. Smooth out hard edges, using plants with soft textures such as lamb’s ear. Garden art can enhance focal points and provide fun, whimsical surprises that will encourage curiosity and discovery.
This summer, try adding some healing features to your garden to make it a personal oasis of calm and serenity! For more ideas, you can tour a sensory garden at The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska: Sensory Garden | Minnesota Landscape Arboretum (umn.edu)
Do you have yard and garden questions? Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinics are held at Bunker Hills Activities Center on Wednesdays, through August 16, from 6 - 8 p.m. Ask a Master Gardener Online is held the first Tuesday of each month, through December, from 6:30 - 8 p.m. Visit anokamastergardeners.org for more information.