Chicago-based Therapeutic Horticulture Workshops

Flexible workshops for schools, nonprofits, and corporate groups, are offered year-round as single sessions or ongoing programs, held at your location or on site.  

Example Activities:

• Build your own terrarium
• Herb container gardens
• Succulent dishes
• Floral arrangements
• Pressed flower art
• Seed and bean mosaics

Who can participate?

Therapeutic horticulture sessions can be adapted for all ages and abilities. Our Therapeutic Horticulture Coordinators are experienced in co-treating with physical, occupational, and recreational therapists.

Location:

We provide both on-and-off-site workshops. Year-round, one of our trained Therapeutic Horticulture Coordinators will come to your site with all the supplies needed to conduct a session. We also host workshops at our headquarters at the Farm on Ogden in our classroom space.

Buehler Enabling Garden Therapeutic Horticulture

Designed to be universally accessible as well as therapeutic, the Enabling Garden features raised bed plantings bursting with color, texture, and scents.

Amenities:

• Large, accessible bathrooms
• Wheelchair-accessible tables
• Proximity to parking

Example Activities:

• Sensory dish garden
• Propagation
• Flower arranging

Who can participate?

The Enabling Garden was designed with accessibility in mind and can curate experiences for a wide variety of individuals, including those experiencing:

• Physical and mobility impairments
• Dementia or Alzheimer's
• Visual, hearing, speaking, and/or sensory impairments
• Intellectual and developmental disabilities Cognitive impairments

Participants are welcomed and encouraged to bring their aid or caregiver, if applicable.

Location:
Sessions are offered at the Buehler Enabling Garden at the Garden’s main campus in Glencoe.

Memory Cafés at the Chicago Botanic Garden 

Memory Cafés provide people living with dementia and their care partners with a welcoming space to connect, socialize, and enjoy meaningful experiences together. The Chicago Botanic Garden offers a peaceful, nature-rich setting that supports relaxation, enjoyment, and well-being for both participants and caregivers.

Who the Program Is For?

Individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia and their caregivers, care partners, or family members accompanying participants

Program Goals:

• Create a supportive and inclusive environment
• Reduce social isolation and foster connection
• Encourage friendship and community
• Promote relaxation and stress relief through nature
• Offer accessible, plant-based activities that support creativity and enjoyment 

Benefits:

• Time in a calm, restorative garden setting
• Gentle social engagement and creative expression
• Shared, meaningful experiences for participants and caregivers 

Example Activities:

Activities are designed to be sensory-rich, accessible, and adaptable to varying abilities.

• Tropical terrariums
• Fresh flower arranging
• Herb dish gardens
• Music listening and board games

Program Structure:

Frequency: Twice per month

Dates: 
March 18, 19, 25
April 1, 2, 8, 16, 23, 29, 30
May 6, 13, 14, 20, 21, 28
June 4, 11, 18, 25
July 9, 16, 23, 30
August 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27
September 3, 10, 17, 24
October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Location: Chicago Botanic Garden:

• Linneas Room (cooler months)
• Buehler Enabling Garden (warmer months)

Setting: Small group and welcoming