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The MindWELL Garden includes many sensory plants including the soft leaved Lamb's Ear and the tall round Rush.
The Healing Gardens at St. Ambrose include areas of shade, enclosure, safe walking surfaces, few trip hazards, varying working heights and adaptive tools as well as access to restrooms and other therapeutic elements.
Healing Garden Design Characteristics
Safety: The first consideration for any therapeutic garden is safety. 
  • Safe access and navigation within the site for all abilities
  • Safe storage of tools and supplies so that they cannot be misused or cause accidental injuries
  • If the garden is going to be used by young children, people who are flight risks or trauma survivors, the garden should be enclosed in some way with clear entry and exit points
  • Garden areas should be designed so that beds and watering systems minimize trip hazards, sharp edges and  elements that can be easily picked up and used as weapons
Accessibility:
Work areas that can accommodate the user population. This can include raised beds, beds designed to accommodate people in wheelchairs or with walking impairments, shaded beds, specialized tools and watering systems. This also may include designing for the hearing or vision impaired and taking into consideration those with memory or other cognitive impairments.
Readable
  • The garden should be designed to be easily “read” by users. It should be clear how to get from one section of the garden to another and the purpose of each part of the garden.
  • Clear signage that can be interpreted by people with varying abilities
Comfort
  • Adequate seating
  • Access to restrooms
  • Access to shade
  • Varied environment
  • Places of sensory interest and stimulation
  • Places of rest
  • Places for active interaction with the garden
  • Places for passive enjoyment