This document discusses how horticultural therapy can help people cope with grief through activities involving plants. Specifically, it describes a topiary project where participants shape ivy plants into symbolic forms using wire. As the plants grow, it provides an opportunity for creative expression and allows people to process their grief by reflecting on their loved one and how their life has changed since losing them. The goal is for the tending of the living memorial to help improve mood and promote positive coping skills during the grieving process.

1. Growing Through Grief Karen L. Kennedy, HTR Horticultural Therapist [email_address]

2. “ Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike.” John Muir

3. Plants and Life Flowers and other plants are intertwined in both celebratory and commemorative cultural rituals Fragrance as well as specific plants are linked to memories of events, places and people Generally, gardens are places where people seek relief from stress, relaxation and joy

4. So what do we know about the people/plant response?

5. Responding Naturally to Nature Even young children are curious about nature and love to explore outdoors Children and adults seem to intuitively know that being outdoors makes them feel better

6. Passively interacting with plants impacts physical health by: Decreasing pain Decreasing blood pressure Decreasing anxiety (Ulrich, 1984, Lohr & Pearson-Mims, 2000)

7. The term “soft fascination” was coined to describes how the brain attends to the details of nature , providing a break from daily stress and resulting in a restorative experience

8. Nature Deficit Disorder “ Nature-deficit disorder is not an official diagnosis but a way of viewing the problem, and describes the human costs of alienation from nature, among them: diminished use of the senses, attention difficulties, and higher rates of physical and emotional illnesses. The disorder can be detected in individuals, families, and communities.” — Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods

9. Horticultural Therapy Is a professionally conducted treatment method that utilizes horticulture activities to meet specific therapeutic or rehabilitative goals.

10. HT, a Catalyst for Coping with Grief Lifecycles in nature often parallel the human existence Actively growing and tending plants provides opportunities to improve mood and positive coping skills. Container and garden projects provide ample opportunity for creative self expression, enhanced communication , reminiscence and stress management.

11. Topiary: the art of fashioning plants into ornamental shapes

12. Stuffed Topiary

13. Pruned Topiary

14. Table-top Topiary

15. Supplies 14 gauge coated solid electrical wire, in 5’ lengths Wire cutters 6” pots Soil-less growing media Ivy plants, small leaved varieties best for intricate shapes Decorating supplies such as chenille stems, ribbon, dried flowers, markers or other materials to decorate the pot Optional: additional florist wire, floral tape, fishing line

16. Using the topiary project to facilitate the grieving process:

17. Selecting the Shape If you could send a message to your loved one, create a symbol or shape that conveys that message. What do you value or treasure about the person you lost? What did they leave you? What stories are left to tell? Create a shape that symbolizes an interest or passion of the person you lost.

18. Tending the Topiary As the ivy plant grows, continue to wind the stems gently around the wire Place topiary in bright light but out of direct sun Water when dry Use the kitchen sprayer or a gentle garden hose spray to rinse the leaves off now and then As your plant grows and fills in the frame, notice the growth in your life since you first created it.

19. References The American Horticultural Therapy Association (ahta.org) Haller, R.L., Kramer, C.L., (2006) Horticultural Therapy Methods, Making Connections in Health Care, Human Service, and Community Programs. Binghamton, NY: Haworth Press. Simson, S.P., Straus, M. C., (Eds.). (1998). Horticultural as Therapy, Principles and Practice. Binghamton, NY: Haworth Press. Majuri, Charles, E. (2009). Upon Reflection: A Theoretical Perspective for Using Horticultural Therapy with Children. The Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture . Vol. XIX (65-67) Gallup, B., Reich, B. (1988). The Complete Book of Topiary. Workman Publishing Co.