Definitions and Positions - Horticultural Therapy

Definitions and Positions Introduction Over the past decade many people have become aware of the positive benefits of human interaction with plants and gardens. The recent surge of interest in this relationship in combination with a great increase of... More

Definitions and Positions Introduction Over the past decade many people have become aware of the positive benefits of human interaction with plants and gardens. The recent surge of interest in this relationship in combination with a great increase of horticultural activities in treatment programs have led to the use of numerous terms for these programs and activities such as therapeutic horticulture, garden therapy, social horticulture, and therapeutic gardening to name a few. Because these terms are used interchangeably it is difficult to distinguish one from another and horticultural therapy has often been used as the catch-all phrase. There are in fact some crucial differences between terms. Likewise, gardens designed to support people-plant interactions and human well-being have been referred to as healing gardens, therapeutic gardens, and restorative gardens, among others. There are, however, some essential differences among garden types that can provide clarity to their desi Less