Horticultural Therapy Reading List ~ American Public Gardens Association ` For more information, Please see websites below: ` Organic Edible Schoolyards & Gardening with Children = http://scribd.com/doc/239851214 ~ ` Double Food Production from your School Garden with Organic Tech = http://scribd.com/doc/239851079 ~ ` Free School Gardening Art Posters = http://scribd.com/doc/239851159 ~ ` Increase Food Production with Companion Planting in your School Garden = http://scribd.com/doc/239851159 ~ ` Healthy Foods Dramatically Improves Student Academic Success = http://scribd.com/doc/239851348 ~ ` City Chickens for your Organic School Garden = http://scribd.com/doc/239850440 ~ ` Simple Square Foot Gardening for Schools - Teacher Guide = http://scribd.com/doc/239851110 ~

1. Horticultural Therapy
* includes information about therapeutic programs utilizing horticultural practices
to develop positive health and well-being outcomes in participants.
Last updated 5/30/07
Adil, J.R. (1994). Accessible gardening for people with physical disabilities: A guide to
methods, tools and plants. Woodbine House: Bethesda, MD. (*CBG)
Austin, M.E. & R. Kaplan. (2003). Identity, involvement, and expertise in the inner city:
Some benefits of tree planting projects. In S. Clayton and S. Opotow (Eds.)
Identity and the natural environment. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. p. 205-225.
Bennett, E.S. (1995). The psychological benefits of public gardens for urban residents.
University of Delaware thesis.
Breault, J.P. & C. Shoemaker. (1994). The paradise garden. A model garden design for
those with Alzheimer’s disease. In Wells, S.E. (Ed.) (1997). Horticultural
therapy and the older adult population. Haworth Press: New York. (*CBG)
Briggs, George. (1993). Building access to friendships and gardens. The Public Garden
8(3):24–27
Buma, Donald R. (2000). Garden: Safe haven in a postmodern world. Viewpoint. The
Public Garden 15(3):30–32
Chambers, N.K. & P.N. Williams. (1991). Housing and outdoor spaces for the elderly. In
C.C. Marcus & C. Francis (Eds.), People Places. (*CBG)
Chambers, Nancy. (1997). What is an enabling garden? The Public Garden 12(3):24–25
Chicago Botanic Garden. Barrier-free gardening with containers. Garden For Life series.
No. 11. (*CBG)
Chicago Botanic Garden. Designing your home enabling garden. Garden For Life series.
No. 2 (*CBG)
Chicago Botanic Garden. Enabling tool resources. Garden For Life series. No. 6 (*CBG)
Chicago Botanic Garden. Healthy habits for gardening. Garden For Life series. No. 10
(*CBG)
Chicago Botanic Garden. Horticultural therapy: Helping people grow. Garden For Life
series. No. 1 (*CBG)

2. Chicago Botanic Garden. Horticultural therapy resources. Garden For Life series. No. 8
(*CBG)
Chicago Botanic Garden. In our nature: Cultivating health and harmony. Horticultural
therapy program offerings. (*CBG)
Chicago Botanic Garden. Paving alternatives for the accessible garden. Garden For Life
series. No. 5 (*CBG)
Chicago Botanic Garden. Raised bed gardening. Garden For Life series. No. 9 (*CBG)
Chicago Botanic Garden. Sensational plants. Garden For Life series. No. 3 (*CBG)
Chicago Botanic Garden. Universal design. Garden For Life series. No. 7 (*CBG)
Chicago Botanic Garden. Vertical gardening. Garden For Life series. No. 4 (*CBG)
Cook, Robert E. (1993). Preserving the past, adapting for the future. The Public Garden
8(3):18–19, 45
de Vries, S., Verheij, R.A., Groenewegen, P.P., Spreeuwenberg, P. (2003). Natural
environments—healthy environments? An exploratory analysis of the relationship
between greenspace and health. Environment and Planning A35: 1717-1731.
Econome, Avery. (2005). Just what the doctor ordered. The Public Garden 20(2):27–29
Eidson, Steve, and Eden Foster. (1993). Building a garden for everyone. The Public
Garden 8(3):28–30
Finch, C.R. (1995). Green Brigade: Horticultural learn-and-earn program for juvenile
offenders. HortTechnology 5(2): 118-120. (*SM)
Flagler, J. & R.P. Poincelot. (1994). People-plant relationships: Setting research
priorities. Food Products Press: New York. (*CBG)
Gabaldo, M.M., M.D. King, & E.A. Rothert. (2003). Health through horticulture: A
guide for using the outdoor garden for therapeutic outcomes. Chicago Botanic
Garden: Glencoe, IL. (*CBG) Includes activity plans.
Gassaway, B.M. (1990). Measuring arthritic hand skill performance during horticultural
activities. Kansas State University: Master’s thesis.
Grese, R., R. Kaplan, R.L. Ryan, & J. Buxton. (2000). Psychological benefits of
volunteering in stewardship programs. In P. Gobster and B. Hull (Eds.) Restoring
nature: Perspectives from social science and humanities. Covello, CA: Island
Press. p. 265-280.

3. Hamilton, S.L. & K. DeMarrais. (2001). Visits to public gardens: Their meaning for avid
gardeners. HortTechnology 11(2): 209-215. (*SM)
Haas, Karen L. (1997). What is an enabling garden? The Public Garden 12(3):26–27
Haller, Rebecca. (1993). How a 40-year-old botanic garden addressed the needs of people
with disabilities. The Public Garden 8(3):14–17, 34–35
Harder, B. (2004). Nature reduces kids’ signs of attention disorder.
http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20040918/note16.asp
Held, Annette. (2005). Revitalizing communities (and oneself) in Public gardens: Sources
of personal transformation. The Public Garden 20(2):34
Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture, American Horticultural Therapy Association,
Denver Botanic Gardens, 909 York Street, Denver, CO 80206-3799 (*CBG)
Hobbs, B.B. (1999). Increasing the 4-H participation of youth from high-risk
environments. Journal of Extension, 37(4).
http://www.joe.org/joe/1999august/rb1.html. (*SM)
Kamp, David. (2006). An expanding horizon: Gardens for everyone. The Public Garden
21(2):28–30
Kaplan, M. (1994). The senior gardening and nutrition project: Development and
transport of a dietary behavior change and health promotion program. Journal of
Nutrition Education. Williams & Wilkins: Baltimore, MD. Nov/Dec 1990. 22(6):
262-270. (*CBG)
Kaplan, R. & S. Kaplan. (2002). Adolescents and the natural environment: A time out? In
P.H. Kahn, Jr. and S.R. Kellert (Eds.) Children and nature: Theoretical,
conceptual, and empirical investigations. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. p. 227-
257.
Kaplan, R. (1985). The analysis of perception via preference: A strategy for studying how
the environment is experienced. Landscape Planning 12: 161-176.
Kaplan, R. (1993). Environmental appraisal, human needs, and a sustainable future. In T.
Gurling and R.G. Golledge (Eds.) Behavior and environment: Psychological and
geographical approaches. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier Science Publishers.
p. 117-140.
Kaplan, R. & S. Kaplan. (1989). The experience of nature: A psychological perspective.
New York: Cambridge University Press.

4. Kaplan, R. & S. Kaplan. (1987). The garden as restorative experience: A research
odyssey. In M. Francis and R. Hester (Eds.) Meanings of the Garden Conference
Proceedings. Davis, CA: Center for Design Research, University of California. p.
335-341.
Kaplan, R. & S. Kaplan. (2003). Health, supportive environments, and the Reasonable
Person Model. American Journal of Public Health 93(9): 1484-1489.
Kaplan, R. (1984). Human needs for renewable resources and supportive environments.
In G. A. Bradley (Ed.) Land use and forest resources in a changing environment:
The urban/forest interface. Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press. p. 133-
140.
Kaplan, R. (1985). Human response to plants and landscapes. In D.F. Karnosky and S.L.
Karnosky (Eds.) Improving the quality of urban life with plants. (Proceedings of
the First International Symposium on Urban Horticulture). New York: The New
York Botanical Garden. p. 45-60.
Kaplan, R. (1995). Informational issues: A perspective on human needs and inclinations.
In G. A. Bradley (Ed.) Urban forest landscapes: Integrating multidisciplinary
perspectives. Seattle: University of Washington Press. p. 60-71.
Kaplan, R. (1985). Nature at the doorstep: Residential satisfaction and the nearby
environment. Journal of Architectural and Planning Research 2: 115-127.
Kaplan, R. (2001). Nature in the eye of the beholder. Michigan Quarterly Review 15(1):
207-217.
Kaplan, R. (2001). The nature of the view from home—psychological benefits.
Environment and Behavior 33: 507-542.
Kaplan, R. & M.E. Austin. (2004). Out in the country: Sprawl and the quest for nature
nearby. Landscape and Urban Planning 69(2-3): 235-243.
Kaplan, R. (1977). Preference and everyday nature: Method and application. In
D. Stokols (Ed.) Perspectives on environment and behavior: Theory, research
and applications. New York: Plenum. p. 235-250.
Kaplan, R. (1992). The psychological benefits of nearby nature. In D. Relf (Ed.) The role
of horticulture in human well-being and social development. Portland, OR:
Timber Press. p. 125-133.
Kaplan, R. & S. Kaplan. (1990). Restorative experience: The healing power of nearby
nature. In M. Francis and R.T. Hester, Jr. (Eds.) The meaning of gardens.
Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. p. 238-244.

5. Kaplan, R. (1993). The role of nature in the context of the workplace. Landscape and
Urban Planning 26: 193-201.
Kaplan, R. (1983). The role of nature in the urban context. In I. Altman and J.F.
Wohlwill (Eds.) Behavior and the natural environment. New York: Plenum.
p. 127-161.
Kaplan, R. (1973). Some psychological benefits of gardening. Environment and
Behavior 5: 145-152.
Kaplan, R. (1974). Some psychological benefits of an outdoor challenge program.
Environment and Behavior 6: 101-116.
Kaplan, R. (2001). Some psychological benefits of nearby nature. In M.R. DeHart and
J.R. Brown (Eds.) Horticultural therapy: A guide for all seasons. St Louis, MO:
National Garden Clubs. p. 8-11. (Adapted from R. Kaplan, 1992)
Kaplan, R. (1977). Summer outdoor programs: Their participants and their effects. In
Children, nature and the urban environment. USDA Forest Service General
Technical Report NE-30. p. 175-179.
Kaplan, R. (1993). Urban forestry and the workplace. In P.H. Gobster (Ed.) Managing
urban and high-use recreation settings. St. Paul, MN: Forest Service, USDA.
General Technical Report NC-163. p. 41-45.
Kaplan, R. (1984). Wilderness perception and psychological benefits: An analysis of a
continuing program. Leisure Sciences 6: 271-289.
Kaplan, R., S. Kaplan, & R. L. Ryan. (1998). With people in mind: Design and
management of everyday nature. Washington, DC: Island Press.
Kaplan, S. & R. Kaplan. (1977). The experience of the environment. Man-Environment
Systems 7: 300-305.
Kaplan, S. & R. Kaplan (Eds.) (1978). Humanscape: Environments for people. Belmont,
CA: Duxbury. (Republished by Ann Arbor, MI: Ulrich's, 1982.)
Kennedy, Karen. (2005). Holden’s wellness program. The Public Garden 20(2):24–26
Kim, J. & R. Kaplan. (2004). Physical and psychological factors in sense of community:
New urbanist Kentlands and nearby Orchard Village. Environment and Behavior
36(3): 313-340.
Kuo, F.E. & Sullivan W.C. (2001). Aggression and violence in the inner city: Impacts of
environment via mental fatigue. Environment & Behavior 33(4): 543-571.

6. Kuo, F.E. (2002). Bridging the gap: How scientists can make a difference. In Bechtel,
R. & Churchman, A. (Eds.), New Handbook of Environmental Psychology.
Wiley & Sons.
Kuo, F.E. (2001). Coping with poverty: Impacts of environment and attention in the inner
city. Environment & Behavior 33(1): 5-34.
Kuo, F.E., & Sullivan, W.C. (2001). Environment and crime in the inner city: Does
vegetation reduce crime? Environment and Behavior 33(3): 343-367.
Kuo, F.E., Sullivan, W.C., Coley, R.L., & Brunson, L. (1998). Fertile ground for
community: Inner-city neighborhood common spaces. American Journal of
Community Psychology 26(6): 823-851.
Kuo, F.E., & Faber Taylor, A. (2004). A potential natural treatment for Attention-
Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Evidence from a national study. American
Journal of Public Health 94(9): 1580-1586.
Kuo, F.E. (2003). The role of arboriculture in a healthy social ecology: Invited review
article for a Special Section. Journal of Arboriculture 29(3): 148-155.
Kuo, F.E., Bacaicoa, M., & Sullivan, W.C. (1998). Transforming inner-city
neighborhoods: Trees, sense of safety, and preference. Environment & Behavior
30(1): 28-59.
Lalli, V.A., D.J. Tennessen, & K. Lockhart. (1998). Using plants to bridge generations:
Horticulture and intergenerational learning as therapy (HILT). Cornell
Cooperative Extension: Ithaca, NY. (*CBG)
Lewis, C. (1996). Green nature/Human nature: The meaning of plants in our lives.
Chicago, IL: University of Illinois Press. (*SM)
Lewis, J.F. & R.H. Mattson. (1988). The effects of choice and enhanced personal
responsibility for the aged: A field experiment in an institutional setting. Journal
of Personality and Social Psychology. 34(2): 191-198. (*CBG)
Lineberger, S.E. & J.M. Zajicek. (2000). School gardens: Can a hands-on teaching tool
affect students’ attitudes and behaviors regarding fruit and vegetables?
HortTechnology: 11(3): 593-596. (*SM)
Louv, R. (2005). Last child in the woods: Saving our children from nature-deficit
disorder. Algonquin Books: Chapel Hill, NC. (*SM)
Majewski, Janice. (1993). Accessibility for people with disabilities. The Public Garden
8(3):8–9

7. Marcus, C.C. & M. Barnes. (1999). Healing gardens: Therapeutic benefits and design
recommendations. Wiley: New York. (*CBG)
Mattson, R.H., L.E. Doxon, & S. Moore. (1986). Gardening may reduce blood pressure
of elderly people: Activity suggestions and models for intervention. Journal of
Therapeutic Horticulture 3:25-38. (*CBG)
Mautz, R.K. and R. Kaplan. (1974). Residential modifications as a mode of
self-expression. In D. H. Carson (Ed.) Man-environment interactions: Evaluations
and applications. p. 55-65. (Published by Dowden, Hutchinson and Ross, 1975.)
McGinnis, M. Outdoor time calms hyper kids.
http://www.prevention.com/article/0,5778,s1-6-73-4-4880-1,00.html
Migura, M.M., Whittlesey, L.A., & Zajicek, J.M. (1997). Use of sensory stimulation with
Alzheimer patients in a garden setting. In Flagler, J. & R.P. Poincelot (Eds.),
People-plant relationships: Setting research priorities, A national symposium
(proceedings), Hayworth Press, Inc: New York. (*CBG)
Miles, I., Sullivan, W.C., & Kuo, F.E. (2000). Restoring the restorationist. Ecological
Restoration 18(4): 218-227.
Moore, B. (1989). Growing with gardening: A twelve-month guide for therapy,
recreation, and education. University of North Carolina Press: Chapel Hill, NC.
(*CBG)
Niehaus, Juliet, and Lynn Hassler. (2005). Programming for the community. The Public
Garden 20(2):20–23
Nyberg, Jonathan. (1992). Horticultural therapy in action. Special Report. The Public
Garden 7(1):30–32
Ostenson, Patricia. (1993). Let me use what I have. The Public Garden 8(3):20–23, 34
Ottosson, J. & P. Grahn. (2005). A comparison of leisure time spent in a garden with
leisure time spent indoors: On measures of restoration in residents in geriatric
care. Landscape Research 30(1): 23-55. (*CBG)
Parson, R., T.C. Daniel, & L.G. Tassinary. The importance of exterior environment for
Alzheimer residents: Effective care and risk management. Plant Science 5(2).
(*CBG)
Phibbs, E.J. and D. Relf (2005). Improving research on youth gardening. HortTechnology
15(3): 425-428.

8. Plankinton, H.S. (1973). Horticulture as a work program for therapy. University of
Delaware thesis.
Please, P., ed. (1990). Able to garden: A practical guide for disabled and elderly
gardeners. Batsford: London. (*CBG)
Poston, S.A., C.A. Shoemaker, & D.A. Dzewaltowski. (2005). A comparison of a
gardening and nutrition program with a standard nutrition program in an out-of-school
setting. HortTechnology 15(3): 463-467. (*SM)
Rahm, J. (2002). Emergent learning opportunities in an inner-city youth gardening
program. Journal of Research in Science Teaching 39(2): 164-184. (*SM)
Raised bed gardening: A resource manual for patients, families and professionals.
(1988). Craig Hospital: Englewood, CO. (*CBG)
Relf, D., ed. (1992). The role of horticulture in human well-being and social
development. Timber Press: Portland, OR. (*CBG)
Robinson, C.W. and J.M. Zajicek. (2005). Growing minds: The effects of a one-years
school garden program on six constructs of life skills of elementary school
children. HortTechnology 15(3): 453-457.
Robinson, Frank. (1996). The people-plant connection. The Public Garden 11(2):18–19,
43
Rothert, G. (1994). The enabling garden: Creating barrier-free gardens. Taylor
Publishing Co.: Dallas. (*CBG)
Rothert, Gene. (1997). What is an enabling garden? The Public Garden 12(3):27–28
Rothert, Gene. (1999). What are universal design guidelines? The Public Garden
14(4):33
Salisbury, K.V. (2000). Enhancing the experiences of blind and visually impaired visitors
in botanical gardens. University of Delaware thesis.
Salisbury, Kathleen V. (2000). How well does your garden meet the needs of visually-impaired
visitors? The Public Garden 15(2):19–22
Schuman, H. (1998). Gardening within arm’s reach. Bartimeus: Zeist, Netherlands.
(*CBG)
Scott, Mary K., and Ann B. Parsons. (2005). Reaching out to at-risk youth. The Public
Garden 20(3):29–31

9. Shair, Gail. (1999). A history of children’s gardens. The Public Garden 14(3):9–11
Shoemaker, C.A. (ed). (2002). Interaction by design: Bringing people and plants together
for health and well-being. Proceedings of the Sixth International People Plant
Symposium, Glencoe, IL, 2000. Iowa State University Press, Ames, IA.
Shoemaker, C.A. (1994). Plants and human culture. Journal of Home and Consumer
Horticulture I(2/3): 3-7.
Shoemaker, C.A. (2002). The profession of horticultural therapy compared with other
allied therapies. Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture 13: 74-81.
Shoemaker, C.A. (2002). Research methodologies for studying human responses to
plants. Journal of the Japanese Society of People-Plant Relationships 2(1): 22-28.
Shoemaker, C.A., P.D, Relf, & V.I. Lohr. (2000). Social science methodologies for
studying individuals’ responses in human issues in horticulture research.
HortTechnology 10(1): 87-93.
Simson, S.P. & M.C. Straus, eds. (1998). Horticulture as therapy: Principles and
practice. Haworth Press, Inc: Binghamton, NY. (*SM)
Singer, Elayna. (1997). Healing plants. The Public Garden 12(3):18–20
Snell, M.B. (2003). Life study: How nature nurtures students at an inner-city high school.
Sierra 88(6): 36-43, 49. (*SM)
Strauss, M. (1994). Horticultural therapy: Horticulture's contribution to the quality of life
of disabled people. In E. Matsuo & P.D. Relf (Eds.), Horticulture in human life,
culture, and environment, A national symposium (proceedings), Acta
Horticulturae, IHC Proceedings Number 391, January 1995, pp.65-76. (*CBG)
Stine, S. (1997). Landscapes for learning. New York: John Wiley and Sons. (*CBG)
Sutter, M.J. (1990). Reaching the forgotten ones. Public Garden 5(2): 18-19. (*SM)
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senior citizens’ longevity in megacity areas: The importance of walkable green
spaces. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 56: 913-918.
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residents. International Journal of Aging and Human Development 33: 119-130.
Talbot, J.F. and R. Kaplan. (1984). The need and the danger: The response to nature in
the inner city. Journal of Arboriculture 10: 222-228.

10. Tanck, Sandy. (2006). On being a place that connects people and plants. The Public
Garden 21(3):25–27
Tanner, T. (1980). Significant life experiences: A new research area in environmental
education. Journal of Environmental Education 11(4): 20-24. (*SM)
Taylor, A.F., Kuo, F.E., & Sullivan, W.C. (2001). Coping with ADD: The surprising
connection to green play settings. Environment and Behavior 33(1): 54-77.
Taylor, A.F. & Kuo, F.E. (2006). Is contact with nature important for healthy child
development? State of the evidence. In Spencer, C. & Blades, M. (Eds.),
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Evidence from inner city children. Journal of Environmental
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gardens? Field Notes. The Public Garden 11(2):27–28
Taylor, Jane. (1999). Designing a garden for kids. The Public Garden 14(3):8
Tims, J. (2003). Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Children’s Gardening Program: Its meaning
and impact on adult alumni. University of Tennessee thesis.
http://etd.utk.edu/2003/TimsJayme.pdf. (*SM)
Tyler, Cindy, and Gene Rothert. (1999). The Buehler Enabling Garden. The Public
Garden 14(4):32–38
Tyson, M. (1998). The healing landscape: Therapeutic outdoor environments. McGraw-
Hill: New York. (*CBG)
Ulrich, R.S., Simons, R.F., Miles, M.A. (2003). Effects of environmental simulations
and television on blood donor stress. Journal of Architectural and Planning
Research 20: 38-47.
Waliczek, T.M., J.C. Bradley, & J.M. Zajicek. (2001). The effect of school gardens on
children’s interpersonal relationships and attitudes towards school.
HortTechnology 11(3): 466-468. (*SM)
Waliczek, T.M., P. Logan, & J.M. Zajicek. (2003). Exploring the impact of outdoor
environmental activities on children using a qualitative text data analysis system.
HortTechnology 13(4): 684-688. (*SM)
Walker, Janet. (1999). The youth gardening program. The Public Garden 14(3):18–20

11. Waylen, K. (2006). Botanic Gardens: Using biodiversity to improve human well-being.
Botanic Gardens Conservation International: Richmond, UK.
Waylen, Kerry Ann. (2006). Botanic gardens and human well being. The Public Garden
21(1):22–23
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functioning. Environment and Behavior 32: 775-795.
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children. Environment and Behavior 35: 311-330.
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Press: New York. (*CBG)
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Stackpole Books: Mechanicsburg, PA. (*CBG)
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limitations. Storey Communications: Pownal, VT. (*CBG)
Zuk, Judith D. (2002). Gardens: Part of the constructive, enduring activities of mankind.
Viewpoint. The Public Garden 17(1):8–9
*CBG: submitted by Chicago Botanic Garden
*SM: submitted by Susan Morgan