Therapeutic Horticulture: Applications to Different Populations

Abstract

Horticulture therapy is the. use of gardening and horticultural activities to help people of all ages and mental and physical abilities to improve their quality of life. This form of complementary therapy develops social, educational and physical benefits. The profession and field of horticulture therapy is relatively young and still has not gained acceptance. The history and background of therapy through horticulture will be discussed. Past and recent research applying to horticulture therapy is explored and applied first to the elderly and then to substance abusers in order to see the different dynamics of horticulture therapy for different populations.