Horticulture Therapy: Flourish Inside and Out

From May to October 2016, The United States Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C. hosts the Flourish – Inside and Out Gardens event. This five month long exhibit demonstrates the ways in which nature can improve human health and well-being. The theme: Take a stroll through the Garden; find your place in nature and Flourish, demonstrates the ability for people to connect through nature and find their place in life.

This year the United States Botanic Garden invited Melwood to display some of its gourds and to host a workshop, Horticultural Therapy in Action by Melwood’s horticulturalist Edward Goodman. The workshop focused on the direct correlation horticultural therapy has on community integration and how Melwood has transformed what may seem as a task, into a way of life. Pictured above is Melwood’s most thrilling display, the Gourd Birdhouses.

The Melwood Gourd Project is an excellent example of plants and people growing together. Each season Melwood participants are able to enjoy an array of exciting gourd craft activities.