Identifying features within a garden linked to emotional reactions and perceived restoration

Figures & data

Figure 1. Overview of RHS wisley wellbeing garden zone including locations 1–4 used in this study. RHS/Oliver Dixon.

Table 1. Examples of prominent features within selected zones 1–4 during spring/summer.

Zone	Examples of features within the Zone	Images
1	Bright red and orange planting [Kniphofia ‘Alcazar’; Crocosmia ’Hellfire’ & ‘Emberglow’] Large, wooden curved bench seating View of RHS Hilltop Building
2	Running water into a small pond Tall circular planting [Rudbeckia laciniata ‘Herbstsonne’; Pinus mugo ‘Pumilio’; Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Gracilis’; Iris ‘Silver Edge’] View of RHS Hilltop Building
3	Expansive view of distant trees and hills White scented planting [Lavandula angustifolia ‘Arctic Snow’; Achillea ptarmica ‘The Pearl’ (clonal); Oenothera lindheimeri]
4	Curved path leading up to the garden. Green shrubs edging the path [Pinus mugo subsp. mugo; Pimus mugo ‘Mops’; Salvia rosmarinus ‘Miss Jessopp’s Upright’] View of RHS Hilltop Building

Table 2. Examples of prominent features within selected zones 1–4 during autumn/winter.

Zone	Examples of features within the Zone	Images
1	Red planting [Salvia confertiflora; Rosa ‘Munstead Wood’] Large, wooden curved bench seating View of RHS Hilltop Building
2	Running water into a small pond Tall circular planting [Rudbeckia laciniata ‘Herbstsonne’; Pinus mugo ‘Pumilio’;Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Gracilis’; Iris ‘Silver Edge’]
3	Expansive view of distant trees and hills White scented planting [Lavandula angustifolia ‘Arctic Snow’; Achillea ptarmica ‘The Pearl’ (clonal); Oenothera lindheimeri]
4	Curved path leading up to the garden. Green shrubs edging the path [Pinus mugo subsp. mugo; Pimus mugo ‘Mops’; Salvia rosmarinus ‘Miss Jessopp’s Upright’] View of RHS Hilltop Building

Table 3. Means and standard deviations for each emotion relevant to garden zones for spring/summer.

Emotion	Zone 1	Zone 2	Zone 3	Zone 4
Sad	M = −1.27	M = −1.53	M = −1.49	M = −1.09**
	SD = 1.08	SD = 0.85	SD = 0.95	SD = 1.02
Happy	M = 0.89***	M = 0.70	M = 0.98**	M = −1.09
	SD = 0.89	SD = 0.97	SD = 1.06	SD = 0.98
Excited	M = 0.06**	M = −0.22	M = −0.05	M = −0.26
	SD = 0.95	SD = 0.90	SD = 0.95	SD = 1.01
Calm	M = 0.65*	M = 1.27***	M = 1.34***	M = 0.27
	SD = 1.12	SD = 0.94	SD = 0.89	SD = 1.11
Perceived	M = 0.35**	M = 0.68**	M = 1.07***	M = −0.06
restoration	SD = 0.94	SD = 1.04	SD = 1.12	SD = 0.98

Sample size N = 79. Mean scores are from −2 (Very untrue of me) to 2 (very true of me).

* = Significant differences with higher scores for emotional reaction or perceived restoration *p < .05. **p < .01. ***p < .001.

Table 4. Means and standard deviations for each emotion relevant to garden zones for autumn/winter.

Emotion	Zone 1	Zone 2	Zone 3	Zone 4
Sad	M = −1.13	M = −1.39	M = −1.40	M = −1.08**
	SD = 0.98	SD = 0.82	SD = 0.82	SD = 0.92
Happy	M = 0.57	M = 0.71*	M = 0.85***	M = 0.40
	SD = 0.90	SD = 0.95	SD = 0.88	SD = 0.85
Excited	M = −0.29	M = −0.24	M = −0.39	M = −0.38
	SD = 0.88	SD = 0.94	SD = 0.95	SD = 0.95
Calm	M = 0.60	M = 1.19***	M = 1.27***	M = 0.64
	SD = 0.98	SD = 0.88	SD = 0.70	SD = 0.85
Perceived restoration	M = 0.31	M = 0.8***	M = 0.98***	M = 0.17
	SD = 0.98	SD = 0.83	SD = 0.72	SD = 0.96

Sample size N = 63. Mean scores are from −2 (Very untrue of me) to 2 (very true of me).

* = Significant differences with higher scores for emotional reaction or perceived restoration *p < .05. **p < .01. ***p < .001.

Table 5. Examples of garden features related to emotional and restorative responses.

Emotional response	Identified features in the RHS Wisley garden	Examples for garden design
Excited	Bright red and orange planting [Kniphofia ‘Alcazar’; Crocosmia ’Hellfire’ & ‘Emberglow’]	Bright planting with bold contrasting colours (e.g. Red, orange). Ensure to consider seasonal changes and include plants with such colour in the Winter seasons.
	Large, wooden curved bench seating	Large areas suitable for social activities. Such as open seating or larger pattio spaces.
Calm	Sounds of running water	Create calming spaces with use of sound such as running water features, wind chimes, tall planting that rustles in the breeze or by encouraging birds into the garden.
	Tall planting that gives a sense of seclusion.	Include tall planting that encloses spaces to give a sense of privacy.
Happy	Seeing insects including bees and butterflies.	Include a variety of pollinator-attracting plants. Position these in spaces where garden users can easily see and watch the wildlife.
	Variety of planting colours and textures.	It’s important to consider variety and texture in the planting palettes to prevent disinterest or boredom.
High perceived restoration	Open and expansive views.	Orientate the garden to encapsulate nearby views. Where possible position seating to overlook open views.