The Healing Landscape: Therapeutic Outdoor Environments

Martha M. Tyson

Historically, healing gardens were places designed for the restoration of the mind, soul, and body. Martha Tyson, a nationally recognized professional, merges classic design theory with the study of human behavior and guides the reader through the process of creating restorative outdoor environments. As she points out, good design seamlessly merges function, usability, comfort and beauty. Tyson’s elegant, thoughtful descriptions of how gardens can bring hope into the lives of many people in need of healing are as restorative as the gardens she describes.

Tyson presents a process for creating bridges between people through common experiences in the garden. She writes, “The familiar smell and sight of lilacs or roses, the taste of a fresh tomato from the vine, or the feel of smooth leaves from an oak tree or soil warmed from the sun are experiences that only the garden can provide … Here we will find the path to restoring the soul, capturing the imagination, clearing the mind, illuminating the senses, and healing the body.”

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