How this Blueprint can help you

Get started | Three core elements | Design principles | Download the Blueprint

How to get started

Starting your journey of creating a wellbeing garden at home, in a school, healthcare or community space?

Pick an option for all resources and guidance:​

Three core elements

The Blueprint identifies three core elements and seven design principles to help you create a garden for wellbeing, whether you’re starting from scratch or enhancing an existing space. The core elements are:

  1. A garden of belonging – A lasting sense of place, ownership and connection for all who use it
  2. A garden of emotional wellbeing – A hopeful, restorative environment where people can rest and experience a healthy range of emotions
  3. A garden of ecological resilience – A diverse, robust planting environment that supports long-term health for people and nature

Design principles

Follow design principles with the strongest scientific evidence, drawn from a global review of research by the RHS and the University of Surrey and informed by our RHS work with NHS wellbeing gardens:

Download the Blueprint

Read the RHS Wellbeing Blueprint in full to explore in more depth the scientific evidence showing how gardens can positively influence wellbeing:

Get involved

The RHS is the UK’s gardening charity, helping people and plants to grow - nurturing a healthier, happier world, one person and one plant at a time.