Comparison of Plant Application and Design of Chinese and Western Healing Gardens

Abstract

Using plants in therapeutic gardens has become an essential element in healthcare environments. In the future, as research and practice delve more profoundly, the application of plants in therapeutic gardens will continue to evolve. Scientific foundational research will explore the deeper connections between plants and human health, providing a more significant basis for plant selection and combinations. Cross-cultural collaboration will enrich the diversity of plants, benefiting users from various regions. Involvement will drive the collaborative design of plant landscapes to better meet user needs and create more personalised therapeutic gardens. Objective: As therapeutic gardens are outdoor garden spaces primarily catering to users' psychological health and therapeutic needs, this study compares the application and design of plants in therapeutic gardens in both Western and Eastern countries. We aim to review the literature on this topic, categorise and compare plant design elements in therapeutic gardens from both regions and provide plant design guidelines for medicinal gardens.  Methods: A comprehensive review of literature and case studies related to this topic.  Conclusion: From a comparative perspective between Western and Eastern approaches, it is concluded that plant design in therapeutic gardens should incorporate both strengths to enhance the therapeutic environment in these gardens. Our design guidelines provide essential components for landscape designers to effectively integrate plant design when creating therapeutic gardens.