Gardening for Wellbeing
Being out in the open air and gardening during these troublesome times is beneficial for both physical and mental wellbeing, helping to lift our spirits and bring a sense of calm, turning negatives into positives.
Any size of outside space, whether it’s a large or small garden, or a patio or balcony with containers planted with colourful, scented flowering plants and edibles, can become an oasis of tranquility and relaxation. If you don’t have access to any outdoor space, houseplants are a good alternative.
A variety of plants for wellbeing available from our online plant shop.
Engage Your Senses with Plants
Choose plants and features to engage all the senses: scented and aromatic plants for fragrance, and edibles for a healthy diet.
The sounds and sights of nature are therapeutic and peaceful, so grow plants rich in pollen and nectar like Calendulas, Foxgloves, Buddleja, and Bottlebrush to attract bees, along with Verbenas, Daisies, and Gazanias, which are loved by butterflies.
Birds are attracted by grasses, both for the seeds on seed-bearing varieties and as useful nest-building material. A birdbath will be greatly appreciated by birds, and you can enjoy watching them drink and bathe.
Nothing will lift your spirits more than the fragrance of plants like Lavender, which is renowned for its calming scent. Rosemary has a fresh, aromatic smell, while Lemon-scented Thyme and beautifully fragranced Pelargoniums are delightful.
Plant these in containers around a seating area to fully enjoy the scents. Lemon Verbena is a delight to the senses, along with Borage, Basil, and Fennel planted among perennials like Salvia africana-lutea and Plectranthus.
There are always a few tasks around the garden to keep you absorbed, especially weeding, which can actually be very satisfying. Deadheading plants encourages new blooms, and planting some Diasca seedlings or indigenous Spring-flowering bulbs will bring next season’s colours.
Planting new roses now will give them time to settle in over Winter, ready for Spring.
