Therapeutic Horticulture

Therapeutic horticulture is a plant-based, outreach and onsite program that helps people experience mindfulness and the restorative health benefits of nature using their senses. Therapeutic horticulture programs are designed to provide people of all abilities with enriching plant related experiences. Each program is customized to enhance the physical, mental and social lives of its participants.  

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The Gardens offers a number of ways to engage with participants:

Therapeutic Horticulture at the Gardens

• Sensory Adventures — Discover our plant-based sensory programs at Denver Botanic Gardens.
• Summer Low Sensory Mornings — Experience the York Street gardens without the crowds. Offered May through August, the Gardens will open early on select mornings for those who wish to connect with plants in a safe, restful location.
• SPARK! — Visitors with early-stage Alzheimer’s or dementia and their care partners have the opportunity to explore the diverse world of plants at the Gardens. Sessions are the second Wednesday of the month.
• Sensory Processing and Autism Resource Kits (SPARK) — These kits are appropriate for people of all ages with autism or sensory needs to help them feel safe and supported while exploring the York Street gardens.
• Flourish With Parkinson’s – Visitors with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners are invited to experience Denver Botanic Gardens on the second Thursday of every month starting in March. 

Therapeutic Horticulture in the Community

• Sensory Adventures on the Road — Learn more about how we bring our plant-based sensory programs to your site.
• Horticultural Therapy Services — The Gardens’ trained horticultural therapy staff provides consulting services to eligible for­-profit and nonprofit facilities.
• Chatfield Farms Veterans Farm Program — This horticulture program supports the vocational, social, physical and therapeutic goals of post-­9/11 military veterans.