Nature: how to create your own healing garden without breaking the bank

Budget therapy: How to create your own healing garden without breaking the bank

Studies have shown that healing gardens can have a profound effect on our mental health and well-being. Despite being around for centuries, healing gardens are now becoming more popular, with more hospitals offering horticultural therapy. But where can you feel the benefits of a healing garden in the UK?

The botanical alchemy specialists, Three Spirit Drinks, have revealed the best healing and therapy gardens in the UK and, along with expert tips from Mr. Plant Geek and Ellen Mary, how you can create your own at home.

In the UK there are plenty of healing gardens you can visit that benefit the local community:

1. Encourage wildlife

Creating a garden that is a safe space for wildlife is ideal for building space with healing energy. The Plant Geek says: “To entice animals, choose plants that attract birds, butterflies, bees and even moths after dark. This will add a touch of life and brightness to your garden”.

If you’re creative and want to keep the family busy, get everyone involved and make your own birdhouse or ‘insect hotel’. You’ll get to see your creations and remember the good times you had making it whenever you sit outside to enjoy your healing garden.

1. Green plants

Healing gardens are boosted by the presence of nature, so ensure to choose a wide variety of plants, flowers and trees.

Gardening is classed as a form of exercise, therefore it is no surprise that it’s been proven that gardening can help improve your mental health, alleviate stress, lower blood pressure and cholesterol. So why not get out into your garden this weekend?

1. Sensory spaces

Stimulating our senses through touch, sight, scent, taste and hearing can instil a sense of calm within people. Ellen Mary suggests: “Moss and Lamb’s Ear are great for a sensory space as they are soft, velvety and easy to grow. Sweet pea are also great for an eruption of fragrant, cottage garden blooms in the summer”.

1. Water features

The sound of water can encourage outward thoughts over extroverted feelings, therefore a water feature is a great addition to your healing garden.

If you have a larger space to work with, try incorporating a pond or waterfall. This will also provide a desirable area for wildlife and unique plant life. If you’re working with a smaller space, Ellen Mary recommends pond buckets for small spaces: “Make sure the bucket has stones up to the top and plants all around so wildlife can get in and out again. Add oxygenating plants to keep the water clean and some plants for interest.”

1. Medicinal plants

Although healing gardens don’t literally mean creating gardens with healing plants, it’s important to remember that lots of medicines come from plants.

Growing a few common herbs into your healing garden will not only be great for cooking, but they’ll add a delightful fragrance and form. Ellen recommends incorporating herbs in your garden too such as Oregano which is full of antioxidants, Echinacea which helps stimulate the immune system and Feverfew which treats migraines.

1. Create a focal point

A common trait of a healing garden is creating a focal point in your garden for meditation and reflection. Mr Plant Geek suggests, “Include fragrant plants that rustle peacefully in the breeze, or plants with soothing shades of green or with furry, sensory foliage.” He also adds, “Sculptures and other artistic structures can also offer shady spots for seating areas, reading nooks and meditative areas”.

Creating your own healing garden at home doesn’t have to break the bank, Ellen Mary explains, “As long as you choose the plants that provoke feelings of calm and relaxation creating a place where you feel safe, able to meditate, take time out and enjoy the magic of nature around you, a healing garden is very achievable in any size space”

For more information on how to create your home healing garden, please visit: https://threespiritdrinks.com/blogs/blog/create-a-home-healing-garden