How Memories Live in a Garden?

Memories Live in a Garden

Gardens, flowers and plants are present throughout our lives impacting differently on us all and playing changing roles as we grow and age. For some gardening is a way to produce food, add value to the family home or earn a living, for others plants are a fashionable home styling accessory with air cleaning benefits. For many more flowers and gardens often form the basis of happy memories and are a key way to stay positive, healthy, remain in touch with nature and being active with friends and loved ones.

Flowers, plants and gardens create memories by impacting all our senses be it a colourful pot of flowers at our front door, the sweet taste of a home grown apple, the sounds of birds in the trees, or a scratch from a rose thorn. The sense of smell in particular has been shown to stir up significant memories and emotions from the garden, such as the scent of fresh herbs as you brush by them or the beautiful fragrance of daphne on a cool winter’s morning. The cherished memories are those created by sharing all of these experiences or reminiscing about them with a loved one.

Reminiscence therapy has been used since the early 1960’s as a means to increase psychological wellbeing, life satisfaction, communication and have a positive impact on daily life whilst reducing depressive emotions and feelings of loneliness. It has gained far more widespread use now as research continues to provide more evidence of its positive impact. Reminiscence therapy involves the discussion of past activities and experiences with the use of tangible prompts and it dictates that both young and old need to reminisce to maintain good mental health.

Garden Releaf Day Australia 2020 is Sunday March 22. It aims to raise awareness of the numerous health benefits of plants, gardens and gardening and provide ideas and inspiration to encourage people young and old to get in a garden or to make the home a little greener and to have fun. We will be one of over 40 garden centres across Australia hosting an in store plant party in the lead up to and as part of Garden Releaf Day. We will be having informative talks, hands on activities, a raffle and lots of fun in the garden. Come and join us to celebrate Garden Releaf Day.