While gardening soothes my soul in many ways, the one I think I appreciate the most is the opportunity it provides on a social level. It allows you to make a connection with another human being who truly understands your passion for all things garden related. Many years ago when I had just moved into a new community, I discovered one of my neighbors had an amazing garden. Being shy, I decided to keep walking past the home in the hopes that one day I would spot the gardener working in that lovely garden. Sure enough, one day I found the man that had created the beauty and I got up the courage to say "Hello". We became instant garden friends; trading plants as often as we traded garden stories. He has since passed on, but the plants and seeds he gave me have helped to keep his memory alive for me.

I don't know what made me visit this forum today, but I'm glad I did. What a fantastic resource Twigs is (thank you for the link the that website). I am pleased to hear you have found gardening such a help in your recovery. Stick with it! :-) While I am not a new gardener, I am not a seasoned gardener, either, so I am not sure what advice I could give you other than to enjoy what you're doing and not take it too seriously. Sometimes trial and error and "happy accidents" are the most effective teachers. Best of luck with your courses! I hope you keep us posted about your progress.

Difficult to assess from a single photo. Looks attractive from the shot's advantage point as posted, however. A simple solution to the "too busy" or "collector's garden" problem is to repeat one or two of the plants throughout the garden, especially ones that will be noticed b/c of size, color, or texture. Also, use a single edging plant to tie things together - like pots and pots of licorice 'Limelight' or nummularia or thyme or lavender, etc.

In the nursing homes, who do you think will take care of watering and tending those plants in the room? You can bet that few of the patients would be able to do it, either physically or mentally. Anyone that is still capable of having plants and caring for them, most likely already has a few in the room. You would also have a problem with available light. It will vary from room to room. And what if water is spilled on the floor as a patient tries to water the plant? That's very likely to happen. And then a patient slips in the water? What you want to do would require more work from the staff. Practically all such homes are understaffed. They really don't need to watch after your plants. As far as cuttings, some of the patients won't live long enough to see them root. I know you mean well, but what you are thinking about simply isn't a good idea on several levels. Not to mention the sorrow that a patient might feel should their plant die. May I suggest that if you are interested in brightening their day, check with the administation and see if there is an area where the patients can go to sit and look at special arrangements of some sort. Container gardens, etc. Ferns and blooming flowers with lots of color add so much. Annuals would probably be the best. You could put in new ones as the older ones finished blooming. I am sure that the administration would want you to see that the plants were properly maintained. They are not going to agree to assign staff to do it. This is a very thoughtful thing for you to want to do, it's just not practical.