A Brief History of Horticultural Therapy

The growth in popularity of HT in North America over the past 50 years does not give accurate history to the roots of the practice, which has been present in many cultures for hundreds of years. However, starting after the Second World War, the medical community recognized this type of therapy to rehabilitate veterans and it has been growing ever since.

In Asia, there has been a great recognition of the use gardening and horticulture as therapy and in 1997 the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations published an interesting article. This article can be found at the following link and recognizes the benefits of horticulture as a means of empowering the rural disabled in Asia and the Pacific:

http://www.fao.org/sd/PPdirect/PPre0037.htm

Mitchell Hewson’s translation of “Horticulture as Therapy” to Japanese also demonstrates the popularity of this means to healing in Asia. Mitchell has been widely recognized in Japan by the Japan Horticulture Therapy Society. The Buddhist religion and Japanese culture places great emphasis on the growth and care of house plants and gardens. The familiar Bonsai tree and rock gardens of monks and other spiritual peoples lend great evidence to why the practice of Horticulture Therapy has been so highly recognized in the same location where eastern cultures, who have pioneered holistic care, originated.