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.