Our program’s mission is to provide therapeutic and recreational opportunities for people of all abilities and life experiences to have direct access to the natural world through hands-on experiences.



The Dallas Arboretum’s Therapeutic Horticulture program offers life enriching, horticultural therapy activities that actively engage participants with plants and nature for restorative benefits.

The program will be on hiatus from April through June 2013. Please contact Susan Morgan at smorgan@dallasarboretum.org for information during this time.

What is Horticultural Therapy?
Horticultural Therapy (HT) is the purposeful use of nature and gardening activities that are professionally conducted to advance the health and well-being of participants. HT activities are organized by a horticultural therapist and delivered based on participants’ abilities and therapeutic goals for a variety of groups.

What are the Benefits of Horticultural Therapy?
Direct interaction with nature and participation in horticultural activities provides countless benefits for participants. From creating floral arrangements or planting a raised bed, HT activities actively engage participants in the hands-on process of doing the therapeutic activity. Research supports how HT activities positively influence physical activity and health, including lowering blood pressure and heart rate and improving fine and gross motor skills and coordination. HT provides an outlet for meaningful activity with psychological benefits, such as reducing stress and anxiety, elevating mood, stimulating social interaction, and offering opportunities for self-expression and achievement. HT can work within the context of a treatment plan and complement existing treatment modalities.

Who Benefits from Horticultural Therapy?
• Individuals with physical or developmental disabilities at hospitals and day centers
• Older adults at skilled nursing facilities, senior centers, or retirement communities
• People living with illness at hospitals, hospice agencies, and rehabilitation centers
• Veterans and active military personnel at V.A. hospitals and rehabilitation centers
• At-risk youth
• Clients of social service and human advocacy organizations
• Participants in vocational training programs
• General public seeking a connection with nature


Program Offerings
The Dallas Arboretum’s Therapeutic Horticulture program offers formalized horticultural therapy and informal therapeutic horticulture activities to a wide variety of audiences at senior care facilities, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and human service organizations. Participants complete hands-on plant- and natural craft-oriented activities modified for their therapeutic goals and abilities.

Garden Therapy-on-the-Go – Outreach Program
Dallas Arboretum staff comes to your location and delivers a 45-minute session using cutflowers, dried herbs, and other natural materials. Activities are tailored to your group’s therapeutic goals. Our staff brings the necessary supplies to complete a horticultural or nature craft activity. Sessions are designed to be conducted in an indoor setting, with the option to move outdoors if feasible for the group and weather permitting. Your organization must provide one or two staff members and additional volunteers to assist our staff, depending on participants’ needs and abilities (negotiable). Following each session, our staff will complete a group progress evaluation form and submit to the agency staff member. Sessions are currently offered Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Maximum of 15 participants per session.

Premium                                                                    Cost is $300 per session.*
Select one of the following activities:
Cutflower Centerpieces
Designer Containers, Part 1: Painting Pots
Designer Containers, Part 2: Planting
Eco-Terrariums

Premium Plus                                                            Cost is $375 per session.*
Select one of the following activities:
Cutflower Centerpieces Extreme
Living Arrangements
Start the Plant Presses
Succulent Masterpieces

A la carte                                                                    Contact program coordinator for pricing.
Work with Dallas Arboretum Therapeutic Horticulture staff to design a custom activity specialized for your clients.

Program bundles
Half Program                                                                                    Cost is $1050 for bundle.
Choice of 4 Standard + 1 Premium sessions

Full Program                                                                                     Cost is $2100 for bundle.
All 8 Standard sessions + Choice of 2 Premium sessions

* Fees are based for up to 15 participants per session.
* Additional travel fee for programs outside Dallas county may apply.


Opportunity for Professional Development in Horticultural Therapy
Learn how to combine a passion for gardening and helping people through the innovative field of horticultural therapy. Join students from across the country to learn more by enrolling in the Fundamentals of Horticultural Therapy class this fall at the Dallas Arboretum November 21-24, 2013.

For registration information, contact the Horticultural Therapy Institute or visit their website at http://www.htinstitute.org/.


Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers assist staff with the organization and delivery of offsite program sessions in the Therapeutic Horticulture program. These sessions are delivered by staff with the assistance of volunteers. Includes indoor and outdoor work. Training provided. Shifts scheduled on weekdays, with limited opportunities on the weekends.


Contact Information
For additional information about the Therapeutic Horticulture program, please contact:
Susan Morgan
Senior Manager of Therapeutic Horticulture
Dallas Arboretum
8617 Garland Road
Dallas, TX 75218
Phone: 214.515.6595
Email: smorgan@dallasarboretum.org