By Bellefontiane Nhan | Staff Writer

   Stress and frustration are common emotions that can affect an individual’s physical and mental health immensely. To counteract these negative emotions, people need to find ways to express the emotions in a safe or healthy way. Gardening allows one to learn acceptance, patience, and helps relieve stress.

   The Sydenham Garden Charity Trust had millions of people enter their gardening facilities with various mental disabilities, as well as insecurities. But, later those same individuals left the premises with a better understanding and acceptance towards their disabilities and acknowledged their worth. In a survey conducted by San Francisco Hospitals, 79 percent of patients felt joyful and at ease just by spending time in the garden.

   In another research study, scientists found the subjects more at ease and content while handling indoor plants. These experiences make it clear gardening is not just about growing beautiful flowers, it is also about embracing oneself and being more relaxed because of it.

   Even though not everyone is experienced in gardening, there are still many plants a beginner can grow. According to Blair Donovan at Country Living.com, these are some plants that are low-maintenance but can bring life to a garden or yard: perennials, Stewartstonian azaleas, Flower Carpet roses, Franklin’s Gem boxwoods, and spicebush or Lindera benzoin.

   There are several different versions of perennials that can add unique texture and color to the yard. The Evergreen perennial is recommended because it provides a vibrant dark green color throughout the year. Perennials are most known for their adaptability in various kinds of soil, and because they are a shrub, they need little to no care. They tend to bloom in early spring.

Perennials

   Boldly colored Stewartstonian azaleas are able to tolerate an assortment of environments. They are able to survive in containers or flowerbeds, making them some of the most accessible and versatile plants available. These azaleas stay their wonderfully bright red throughout the entire winter, unlike other azaleas. This makes them the perfect plants to include in a yard or garden to add pops of color.

Stewartstonian azalea

   Flower Carpet roses is a shrub rose that has a large spectrum of colors. These roses are known for having resistance to disease and insects. They also flower all summer long. They rarely need to be cared for as well. In general, roses can bring life, color, and elegance to a garden, therefore Flower Carpet roses are an exceptional choice to have.

Flower Carpet roses

   Franklin’s Gem boxwoods have the lowest maintenance and provide a vibrant green to the scenery. This plant is deer, insect, and disease resistant, and gives the yard or garden interesting textures. It is known for being a dwarf type plant, similar to other dwarf Japanese hollies. 

Franklin’s Gem boxwoods

   Spicebush or Lindera benzoin is a North American native flower and can tolerate a range of soils. This plant is aromatic and often attracts swallowtail butterflies. It blooms bright yellow flowers in the spring and plump red berries in the fall. One of its unique features is that their flowers tend to form or bloom before the leaves.

Spicebush

   Some of the local shops that have such plants available for sale are Home Depot, San Gabriel Nursery and Florists, and Lincoln Avenue Nursery. These plants make it simple to indulge in gardening and reap the benefits.