Mystic Garden Club's Flower Therapy Brings Color to Mystic Manor

For years, members of the Mystic Garden Club have been making a special stop at Mystic Healthcare Nursing and Rehabilitation Center to bring the residents a burst of color and the chance to make bouquets made from fresh flowers.

Once a month the garden club brings fresh grown flowers (or fresh bought flowers, depending on the season) to a jam-packed recreation room where residents are waiting patiently for their batch of flowers.

"It's nice because it brings nature inside," said resident Joanne Francis, formerly of Pawcatuck and Stonington Borough. "A lot of people here can't go out to enjoy it themselves." 

During Garden Therapy, each participant is given a vase with floral foam and a handful of flowers and greens to arrange. Garden club members and staff stand by to help residents arrange their flowers as directed. 

Denice Senior, director of therapeutic programming, said Garden Therapy is one of the most popular and well-attended programs. 

The program is supported by the Garden Club's various fundraisers. Alice Butler, a member of the Mystic Garden Club said that the program has been happening for as long as anyone can remember. 

"It's so rewarding," she said. "It's so rewarding to meet and talk with everyone."