Garden Project Details

Hospitalized child and teen psychiatric patients at UNC have been given the opportunity to make their courtyard blossom as they have planned, prepared, and are about to finish planting a more engaging, colorful, and therapeutic garden.  The courtyard space was previously filled with less than 15 species of predominantly green, non-flowering plants- it now has 72 plants.  

This project has given kids and teens hospitalized for mental illness a series of positive experiences from working directly with plants and creating things of beauty. In addition, they have had an opportunity to be an authentic part of improving their hospital community.  This project allowed patients to contribute to something beyond themselves, which can give them a sense of agency and empowerment.  These feelings, along with an opportunity to learn and practice new skills, builds their sense of self-efficacy, helping them blossom as their garden grows.

Hospitalized child and teenaged patients have participated in all stages of the project ---planning, design, site preparation and planting.  Each stage and correlating activities have been carefully orchestrated to build in opportunities for control and meaningful choices, as well as interactions with nature, all of which serve to promote joy, well-being, and self confidence in those we serve. 

The space now provides enhanced programming for patients as well as an improved view of nature for visitors and staff.

Special thanks to our amazing designer Flo Chaffin for taking the kids’ and teens’ ideas and goals and creating an amazing plan for us.

This garden project was supported by a generous grant from the Jandy Ammons Foundation.

In June we are having a Garden Party to celebrate the reopening of the Neuroscience garden space including special activities for the patients!

Special thanks to our Garden Party Sponsors!

Gunter Family McDonalds
Julia & Bill Grumbles
Franklin Street Pediatric Dentistry
Athletic Lab
Pat and Mary Norris Oglesby