Horticultural Therapy at the Blossom 

The Blossom’ foundation is built on the belief that nurturing a garden is nurturing ourselves.   The Blossom draws on the rich history of Horticultural Therapy as a natural tool for connecting with mindfulness, healing, and general well-being.   It is also a tool for working with, and helping with, difficult times in life. For people living with dementia, garden activities, whether inside or outside, provide a calming of the mind.* The tasks that are required to complete a botanical activity or garden activity become both engaging and meaningful. This is purpose driven activity, and its what we all want in our lives, regardless of our current cognitive abilities. There is also a strong connection to the work of Maria Montessori, who was a proponent of respectful, purpose driven work for all people.  Most days at the Blossom, the program will include an element connecting to nature through Horticultural Therapy, whether this is sewing seeds, mixing soil recipes, creating a leaf mobile, or participating in the myriad of garden tasks in our therapy/sensory garden. 

All the spaces associated with the Blossom at St Johns will be filled with plants. We will have a veritable indoor garden wherever you look.  Our participant friends and care-givers will share in maintaining our plant collection. Simple instructions will always be given, and task lists will be used to keep us all working as a team.

Fred Ellman, the director of the Blossom will bring his passion for Horticultural Therapy to these activities.  Fred is a Horticultural Therapist, with a certificate in HT from the New York Botanical Gardens, where he teaches on working with HT for people with dementia.

* a preliminary study focusing on indoor gardening for people with dementia