Health
Cultivating Wellness: Tips for a Healing Garden This Spring

As spring approaches, horticulturalists and herbalists are encouraging individuals to consider the health benefits of cultivating their own gardens. Gardening is more than just a leisure activity; numerous studies suggest it can significantly enhance physical and mental well-being. The act of gardening—whether through shoveling soil, pulling weeds, or simply enjoying fresh air—has been linked to reduced rates of hypertension and heart disease, as well as improved mood and mental health.
Many gardeners overlook the potential of their plants to provide direct health benefits. According to Devon Young, a blogger at NittyGrittyLife.com and author of The Homegrown Herbal Apothecary, “People are often surprised by how many plants have medicinal and therapeutic value.” In an age dominated by pharmaceuticals, the healing properties of common backyard plants are often ignored. A quick online search can reveal that flowers and shrubs like roses, hibiscus, and even Douglas fir needles can have various health benefits.
Despite the allure of these plants, some can be toxic. Precaution is necessary, and resources such as the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and the Plants for a Future database can provide guidance on safe selections.
Creating a Healing Garden
For those looking to design a garden that promotes health, Bridghe McCracken, the founder of Helia Land Design in Massachusetts, suggests prioritising native plants. These species not only thrive in local climates but also require less maintenance, including watering and fertilisers. Additionally, native plants support local ecosystems, benefiting pollinators and other beneficial insects. “When you’re working with native plants, you’re going to have a garden that is amazing for bees… for pollinating butterflies, for a whole spectrum of insects,” McCracken noted.
Some of her recommended plants include purple angelica, spiky Veronicastrum, and various types of Monarda, commonly known as bee balm. “Monardas are really beautiful to design with,” she added. Bee balm can be used as an antiseptic, mouthwash, and cold remedy, demonstrating the dual benefits of aesthetics and health.
Choosing the right combination of flora involves understanding the land and the plants that thrive in it. In her garden, McCracken places “tea plants” used for herbal remedies in secondary zones while keeping ornamental blooms closer to her living space for enjoyment.
Designing for Wellness
In Pennsylvania, Ethan Dropkin, a designer at Larry Weaner Landscape Associates, often employs a similar philosophy. He designs gardens with “aesthetically structured, human-centric areas” near homes, while more naturalistic plantings are placed further away. His firm is known for its meadow landscapes, showcasing native grasses and flowers like Echinacea and Rudbeckia, which also have herbal applications.
Dropkin highlights the therapeutic properties of native mints, including Monarda and mountain mint, which can spread aggressively but are valuable for their medicinal uses. He also recommends yarrow for its antibacterial properties, suggesting it can be used in poultices for cuts or brewed as tea, while also supporting pollinator populations.
When preparing herbal remedies, Young explains that different preservation methods are suited to various plants. “Anything with a fairly thin leaf or delicate flower can hang dry,” she said. For thicker plants, a dehydrator or low-oven setting is more appropriate. “As an herbalist, I like to use the whole plant — the roots, the stem, the leaves, and the flowers,” she added, particularly noting the immune-boosting qualities of Echinacea and Rudbeckia.
Interest in wellness gardening is diverse, as described by Dara Saville, author of The Ecology of Herbal Medicine and founder of Albuquerque Herbalism. Her students often seek knowledge about ecology, Indigenous healing traditions, or alternative treatments for chronic illnesses that mainstream healthcare has not effectively addressed. Saville embraces a more organic gardening style, allowing plants to establish themselves naturally.
One of her favourite native plants is yerba mansa, known for its extensive medicinal uses, including anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. “It just does all of these things simultaneously, invigorating your whole body to be healthier and more vital,” she explained.
The visual appeal of native plants has also inspired Mihalis Petrou, a landscape designer in New York City. After transforming an abandoned lot in Astoria into a thriving garden, he began incorporating native species into fashion photo shoots for major brands. Petrou harvests plants like bee balm and Echinacea for their aesthetic and culinary qualities, often using them in fresh herbal teas.
Art and wellness are intertwined for Petrou, who draws parallels between gardening and fashion. “Having a wellness garden that is beautiful, that’s medicine in itself,” he stated.
Creating a garden that not only beautifies spaces but also contributes to health can be a rewarding endeavor. As spring unfolds, embracing the healing potential of plants may enhance both physical and mental well-being, turning gardens into sanctuaries of health.
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