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Making a blueprint for wellbeing gardens

In spring 2026, the RHS will launch a blueprint for wellbeing gardens. Based on scientific research and real-life examples, it’s designed to help people create gardens that support wellbeing – whether at home, in the community or in organisations

People Target 2 of the RHS Sustainability Strategy: Design an evidence-based wellbeing garden blueprint

To further research and create an evidence-based wellbeing garden blueprint, regarding both design and process, that enables everyone to enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of a garden

What does this target mean?

Launching in spring 2026, the RHS Wellbeing Garden Blueprint will be a summary of the scientific evidence on how gardens can positively influence wellbeing. Hosted on the RHS website – the Blueprint will be free for anyone to access.

What will it include?

  • Guidelines and guidance that empower people to maximise the wellbeing benefits that can be derived from a garden and that are relevant to themselves.
  • Identification of the ‘active ingredients’ that can be present in gardens and that can play key roles in promoting health and wellbeing.
  • A summary of the scientific evidence on how gardens can positively influence wellbeing (some published by the RHS but mostly published by others).
  • Case studies on a range of projects with ambitious goals and tested best practice in large garden projects and easily achievable ideas and affordable steps in smaller gardens or on tighter budgets.

What has the RHS done in the area of wellbeing and horticulture?

NHS staff explore the Colchester Wellbeing Garden
The RHS has commissioned and participated in extensive research on the impact of plants and gardens on human health and wellbeing. A key part of this has been the creation of the RHS Wellbeing Fellow role, currently held by Dr Ashby Sachs, the RHS scientist researching the impact of gardens on human wellbeing through a collection of ongoing studies with school children, RHS hospital gardens. She continues the garden design and wellbeing work of Dr. Lauriane Chalman-Pui, who formerly held the role and published extensive research in this area.

This body of work at the RHS has also been supported by Dr. Tijana Blanusa with her work on indoor plants as well as green schoolyards and wellbeing. Dr. Chloe Sutcliffe has also led research on the wellbeing benefits of ecological gardening practices. RHS Director of Science and Collections, Professor Alistair Griffiths (along with garden designer Matt Keightley, and garden writers Annie Gatti and Zia Allaway), have written Your Wellbeing Garden, an RHS book which brings the current scientific knowledge to a wider audience.

In addition, the RHS has worked with the NHS on green social prescribing projects, such as at RHS Garden Bridgewater in Salford.

The RHS has been working in partnership with NHS hospitals across England to create wellbeing gardens, green spaces designed to support the mental and physical health of staff, patients and local communities. These gardens, developed with input from healthcare workers and local communities, are tailored to each site’s specific needs and environmental conditions.

As part of this initiative, the RHS Science team have collaborated closely with the RHS Community Outreach team to compile a suite of case studies that document the design, implementation and impact of these healthcare gardens. This growing body of evidence is contributing to the RHS Wellbeing Garden Blueprint, a resource aimed at guiding future projects and demonstrating the measurable benefits of horticulture in healthcare settings. Through this collaboration, the RHS is not only enhancing hospital environments but also advancing scientific understanding of how gardens can promote wellbeing and resilience.

How will the Blueprint relate to the work done to date and how will it be applied?

This Blueprint combines scientific expertise in design and creation to help individuals optimise their garden’s wellbeing benefits in a locally relevant, empowering and evolving way. It introduces features that inspire curiosity and personal selection, fostering balance and fulfilment.

The Blueprint will include both case studies of domestic, institutional and school gardens that support wellbeing. It will also detail design recommendations for creating your own wellbeing garden.

A big part of the Blueprint is making sure that gardens in public spaces and organisations are designed in a way that is clear, consistent, and welcoming to everyone. This doesn’t just mean how the garden looks, but also how we talk with people and involve them in the planning and building process. It’s about creating gardens together – not just for people, but with them – so that everyone feels included, heard, and supported. That’s how we make outdoor spaces that truly help people feel better and improve their wellbeing.

Recommendations from the Blueprint

  • Diversify planting – Plants are the heart of any garden. As mentioned, planting choice must first be determined by the local environment.
  • Foster serenity – Any garden users are consciously using gardens as a peaceful and quiet space to relax in.
  • Create distinctive spaces – No matter the size of the garden, it can be created with different spaces that are maintained and separated for diverse needs and purposes.
  • Encourage exploration – A garden should have elements that inspire easy exploration. Stimulating all five senses as a means of discovery can be achieved through planting variety.
  • Celebrate cultural significance – A garden that embeds wellbeing in its design is itself embedded in its local culture and history.

Why should gardeners care about this?

Former RHS Wellbeing Fellow, Dr Lauriane Chalmin-Pui who has contributed to the research says: “Think of all the research that has been done about gardening for wildlife; which plants are best for which pollinators. Yet we have no evidence on how to optimise gardens for humans. Ultimately, we’re animals, and we have habitat preferences too.

“As there are ever more people on planet earth, living ever closer together, there’s a huge need for evidence on how to make our green spaces as people friendly as possible. How much shade do we need? In which contexts is a still pool more restorative than moving water? Which fragrances are most uplifting? These are just a few of the questions we need to ask.

“It’s also important to understand people’s different needs, experiences and cultural contexts. These matter for design and will influence what people appreciate and value about a space. You need to be sensitive to all these viewpoints when creating a wellbeing garden so the most fundamental step in the process is first to listen to what matters to the community.”

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The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.