The Healing Garden

Many hospitals have them: gardens, whose main purpose is to soothe, comfort and heal what ails you, both physically and emotionally. A whole branch of landscape architecture has sprung up just to study what it is that people need in a garden to help them to feel safe and calm, then to create it.

Healing gardens often have paved pathways and patios, making it easier for the elderly and for those in wheelchairs, and some have raised planting beds to make it easier to work the soil. They may look like Japanese gardens, designed simply for contemplation, or they may be filled with groups of plants with soothing scents and colors. They might invite active participation in planting and maintenance, or may ask nothing of the viewer, releasing them of any responsibilities.

It seems that just about any garden can have healing properties, depending on the kind of healing that is required, and I think I have found two right in the heart of Jeffersonville, and many more scattered across the county. After the recent devastating flooding, it seemed like nothing would ever be “normal” again, but when I walked into town the other day, I noticed that both the gazebo garden and the one in front of Peck’s supermarket are rapidly recovering, spreading hope to those who had been affected by the flooding that they will also recover in time.

Just a few short weeks ago, these gardens looked completely ruined. Branches and old tires were lodged between the plants, soil was washed away and everything was covered by a thick layer of mud. Through the diligent efforts of JEMS, Sullivan Renaissance and a host of volunteers, the gardens are now coming back to an almost pre-flood condition. The flowers that looked ruined a short time ago are once again standing tall, while others have been replaced or removed, and new plants added. Throughout the county the story is the same, with Sullivan Renaissance volunteers working to restore damaged or destroyed gardens. And so I thank the people from JEMS and Sullivan Renaissance for so quickly repairing the flood-damaged gardens, giving us all the confidence to believe that life will eventually get back to normal, if it hasn’t already. Truly, these are all healing gardens.