Stigsdotter, U.A. & P. Grahn, 2002, What makes a garden a healing garden?, in: Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture, 13,
- Author : Stigsdotter, U.A. & P. Grahn
- Year : 2002
- Journal/Series : Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture
- Volume Number (CONSECUTIVE: Counting all Volumes of this Journal ever published) : 13
- Pages : 60-69
- Abstract in English : The authors discuss the healing influences of healing gardens and focus on the people who should use those gardens. They try to find answers concerning the healing benefits of healing gardens. Three concepts of gardens are defined. Research discipline’s theories on the healing influences of healing gardens are summarized. In the conclusion three directions of theory about the effects of healing gardens are recognized: a.) effects derived from experiences of the garden as such, and its design and contents; b.) effects primarily derived from the activities in the garden room (especially in horticultural therapy); c.) effects derived from the experiences of the garden. The authors suggest that the healing garden is about perception as well as activity. In a healing garden it is important to find the balance between the three aspects. Therefore the designer needs knowledge about the target group the garden is intended for. In relation to visitor’s stress level, different garden rooms with different characters should be designed. Eight characters have been suggested: serene, wild, rich in species, space, the common, the pleasure, festive, culture.
- Comments/Notes : KEYWORDS: healing garden, healing garden theory, garden rooms, the healing garden school, the horticultural school, the cognitive school.