In a world dominated by screens, noise and deadlines, gardens help to reconnect with a slower pace. Listening to the birds, deadheading flowers, watering containers at dusk or nurturing herbs to grow in terracotta pots, all encourage mindfulness almost without you noticing.
Many people like to start their day by walking out into their garden with bare feet, to stand on the grass. This makes them feel connected and grounded taking those few moments to pause and be present before carrying on with their day.
Gardening has become widely recognised as beneficial for mental wellbeing and helps to ease anxiety and create a sense of purpose and calm. It can also reduce stress, encourages movement and spending time outdoors has been shown to improve and lift your mood.
More Than Just Beautiful Spaces
Every path border and carefully chosen plant carries meaning, emotion, and memory. This was evident at this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show where many of the gardens have moved beyond designs and planting for aesthetics, but instead focusing on wellbeing, human connection and accessibility.
Across the showground designers were using gardens and planting to tell deeply personal stories about resilience, climate awareness, community and mental health.
A Garden for Every Parkinson’s Journey
One of this years show gardens was for Parkinsons UK “A garden for every Parkinson's journey” designed by Arit Anderson
It was created not only to raise awareness but to show how outdoor space can support people living with neurological conditions.
The garden was designed around lived experience, wide accessible pathways with contrasting planting schemes. The use of tactile handrails and flowing water features to provide sensory cues for movement and orientation.
The space was divided into uplifting, restful and nighttime zones acknowledging the complex symptoms that many people with Parkinson's experience including anxiety, insomnia and sensory changes.
The Role of Gardens in Dementia Care
There was also the Alzheimer’s Society: “Microbes and Minds Garden” Gardens have long been liked to dementia care by offering therapeutic benefits, evoking memories and connecting people to nature
A person very close to Sharons heart, John, sadly passed away in 2019. John had Dementia.
In those last month’s together, good times were had and those good times were supported by a wonderful care home that understood the importance of accessible outdoor spaces for those with dementia. The outdoor space supported John to keep enjoying life with family and friends.
Sharon’s Story: Cherished Moments with John
Read Sharon memories below 👇🏻
“The last fun picture I have of John and I. John passed away some 6 months later and this was probably one of the last times we managed to get him outside in the fresh air. In the garden at the care home John was in, they had a fun summer BBQ for all the residents and family, we had a great BBQ and had silly hats and glasses to dress up in.
The care home had a lovely accessible garden, raised beds for the elderly to plant strawberries and veggies, grass areas to sit, seats dotted around in hidden places so you could go and sit quietly with loved ones. They also had a summer house, which they used as a craft room, so residents could go and sit out in the garden and paint or craft. It was a lovely place for him to spend his last 18 months, and for us to visit too, dementia care can be fun in the right environment.”
Sharon Norman
Company Director
Nurturing Young Minds Through Nature
Another garden featured at this year show was “Youngminds garden”. Plant diversity throughout the garden, shared the range of experience young people bring to the space.
Stepping stones created from waste stone was used to create a pathway leading young gardeners to the heart of the garden.
The use of yellow flowered plants symbolised the light and hope.
This garden was inspired and designed by Charlie Chase who used his own journey through mental health challenges that he faced in his youth which was shaped by grief.
The garden reflected the impact and healing power of plants, while asking visitors to consider how environments can be nurtured so that young people can truly thrive.
Gardening reminds us that buds become flowers, seeds become food and neglected corners come back to life. Seasons remind us that changes happen, but growth is possible.
However large or small your outdoor space is, in the warmth of summer it can be a space to relax, unwind and feel safe. Being surrounded by living things that continue to grow, despite uncertainty, you may find yourself doing the same.