The relationship between plants and gardens and our health is ancient. As early as 3000 B.C. the Chinese have used medicinal herbs. The Greeks built a temple for Asclepius, their god of healing, set among mineral springs, bathing pools, and gardens. Green was a sacred color in ancient Egypt and represented the hope of spring that brought new vegetation and life.
This appreciation for the power of plants and gardens to our health has thankfully carried on to present times. Healing gardens can now be found in community parks, arboretums, botanical gardens and a variety of institutions including substance abuse treatment centers, outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities, hospices, retirement homes and hospitals around the world. And most importantly, they can be found/built even in your own backyard.
Grow plants that you find pleasing. If you like a monochromatic color scheme, stick with that. If you love all sorts of bright colors, go wild. Grow what you love! Try mixing finely textured plants like Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum venustum) with more bold textures like Hostas to create a visually interesting garden. If you mostly stay inside and enjoy your garden from a table or a comfy chair, think of those views when you look out so that you can enjoy your garden from both the outside and inside. You can also add focal points to the garden such as a sculpture or interesting rock formations to draw the eye around the space.