May is Mental Health Awareness month, and one of the many ways The Dawes Arboretum encourages healthy mental choices is a practice called therapeutic horticulture.
According to the American Horticultural Therapy Association, therapeutic horticulture is the “participation in horticultural activities facilitated by a registered horticultural therapist or other professionals with training in the use of horticulture...through which participants enhance their well-being through active or passive involvement in plant and plant-related activities.”
There are various theories that support the practice of therapeutic horticulture, including the Stress Reduction Theory, The Attention Restoration Theory and the Biophilia Hypothesis. Biophilia is a “hypothetical human tendency to interact or be closely associated with other forms of life in nature,” according to Merriam-Webster.
Peter Lowe, Garden Program Manager at The Arboretum, said he’s personally experienced all of these theories and has found them to be helpful.
“I’m usually more focused in the garden,” he said. “When I’m down there, I don’t have to think. I get lost in the doing.
“Everybody needs to take the opportunity to sit in nature,” he said. “Never pass up the opportunity to appreciate the nature that surrounds you.”
According to Lowe, gardening has been used as medicine historically since the 1800s in psychiatric facilities, but it’s just been in the last decade and a half that’s been explored as a legitimate wellness option – combining horticultural and medical education.
“By learning how to care for a plant, you learn how to care for yourself,” he said.
Lowe earned his certificate in Therapeutic Horticulture from North Carolina State University and uses it around The Arboretum. Since 2025, The Arboretum has partnered with PALS Chrysalis Health to provide therapeutic horticulture experiences for their adult day services.
PALS and plants in action
On a bi-weekly rotation, the Monday sessions focus on cognitive, physical, emotional and social functions, while the Wednesday sessions emphasize vocational development. This community partnership improves participants' physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being through guided, plant-based activities, serving as a versatile tool that promotes collective healing and rehabilitation for individuals of all abilities.
Peter has seen individuals’ mental health improve while hosting the PALS program. He said he’s able to see individuals grow and become engaged throughout the different activities. Not only is it a lesson for the attendees, but it’s a lesson for Lowe.
“I’ve learned more about myself taking five hours to plant three marigolds then I have planting 100 trees in an hour,” he said. “It’s exhausting, but incredibly fulfilling to see smiles, conversation and excitement.”
Some of his favorite activities with the program have been building flower bouquets, growing recognizable plants from seeds (like thyme) and pot painting.
How-to practice therapeutic horticulture at Dawes
There are different ways to practice therapeutic horticulture individually around The Arboretum, and the first step is finding the right location.
Lowe recommends visiting the Dawn Redwoods, the Japanese Garden and the White Pine Grove at Red Barn Reserve. To him, these areas are quiet and bring peace.
The Arboretum also hosts wellness programs like Tai Chi and sound bathing, which is another opportunity for visitors to practice therapeutic horticulture, but according to Lowe, the practice is simply about nature appreciation.
One of the most unique skills Lowe thinks someone can gain through therapeutic horticulture is confidence.
“You become more adept at engaging and trying,” he said. “Your self worth goes up. Your desire to be a healthy individual goes up. Everybody has a plant they can care for. Gardening becomes easy when you find the right plant for you.”
Gardening has always been a creative and peaceful outlet for Lowe, ever since he was a teenager. When he’s sitting at a desk, he feels fidgety, but getting lost in the repetitive motions of planting and pruning, his mind feels calm.
His perfect morning is being in the Learning Garden when it’s dewy and overcast. He enjoys the birds chirping, trees changing colors and flowers blooming.
“You feel smaller,” he said. “Life happens around you whether you’re having a bad day or not...If nature finds a way, I can too.”