Dargan Landscape Architects

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Landscape Architecture Projects

Therapeutic Landscape Designs for Mental Well-Being

Are you bogged down with stress and looking for an outdoor escape? Gardening has long been considered an activity that can be cathartic and calming for those who enjoy working with plants and soil. The idea of nurturing plants to produce a bounty of vegetables and fruits, or creating a beautiful display of flowers and greenery, can provide a space for healing, meditation, restoration, and contemplation. 

Recently, scientists, doctors, and landscape architects have started collaborating to create therapeutic landscape designs for mental well-being.  Unlike traditional gardens, landscape planning for therapeutic gardens involves specific goals.

While a healing garden is designed to encourage overall health and encourage meditation, restoration, and contemplation, therapeutic gardens are designed to go beyond these goals to promote health and well-being. Landscape architects often work closely with the medical community to create gardens that will measurably contribute to a patient’s healing.

While this form of landscape planning is often used in long-term care facilities or rehabilitation centers, you can also opt to work with a landscape architect to develop your own therapeutic garden. Since the goals and measurable outcomes vary with the client, it’s essential to know what you want your therapeutic garden to accomplish.

For example, a garden created for a hospice may focus on quality of life and restoration for families, while a rehabilitation center’s therapeutic garden may serve as an actual component of therapy that provides respite from the hard work of physical therapy.

With 40 years in the business of landscape architecture, Dargan Landscape Architects would be happy to consult with you on a therapeutic garden design. Browse our portfolio of completed projects and contact us to learn how we can help.

Light Up Your Landscape with Votive Candles

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Do you want to light up your garden for late night strolls? Have you been looking to bring whimsical details into your garden design? From safety to creating a new focal point, votive candles can make a visual statement in a variety of garden and landscape designs.

Landscape lighting can be used to create safely-lit pathways, highlight certain features of your yard, or create an intimate setting for evening conversations. And when you are looking for soft light that encourages intimacy and a relaxed atmosphere, votive candles is an excellent choice.

The vessels you choose to contain your votive candles help define the style you wish to convey. Our Dargan Boundless Garden product line has many beautiful votive candles and accessories to make landscape lighting easy.

  1. Our Iron Rope Sconce with glass mounts to any flat surface and features a wrought iron scroll that encases protective glass for your votive candles. Mounted on deck posts or walls surrounding your conversation areas, you can create a soft, warm glow for relaxation or entertaining.
  2. Garden Votive candles are offered in several different color choices of textured glass. Whether used singly or in groups, these votive holders can cast beautiful light from any surface in your garden.
  3. Spring Mix is a selection of six garden votive selections in spring colors that come with their own wrought iron basket to create a beautiful spring centerpiece for any table.
  4. Add some romance to your landscape with our Hanging Wildewood Votive with glass. Wrought iron construction with detailed leaves can create a softly-lit romantic pathway or highlight an intimate conversation area.
  5. For a touch of whimsy in your garden, the Shard Rabbit Planter is the perfect size to accommodate a votive candle and makes a great conversation piece while casting soft light. These can be strategically placed to highlight features or used in a centerpiece to invite conversation.

Dargan Landscape Architects has many products and services that will make your landscape beautiful and unique to your tastes. Please visit our site for more landscape lighting ideas, or contact us to learn how we can design the perfect landscape for you.