Some planted questions: Scientists work out the scents and colours bringing most joy to Scotland’s gardens
Gardeners have long known the benefits of growing their own and now scientists are examining whether the colours and scents of plants are the reason why it is so good for people.
The popularity of growing flowers, fruit and vegetables has soared during the pandemic and experts believe it could have a lasting positive impact on the health of green-fingered enthusiasts. A team at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has already established that gardening reduced stress hormones, even for people with limited outside space. Now RHS wellbeing fellow Dr Lauriane Chalmin-pui has embarked on a new project to examine whether the bright colours and scents could be a key
factor in the wellbeing boost from gardening. Dr Chalmin-pui, who leads a research programme on the influence of gardens and gardening on health and wellbeing, has already studied the health effects of exposure to plants and wildlife.
She said: “Exposure to plants improves our mental, physical, and social health. Gardening helps people develop a more positive outlook on life, better moods, a sense of pride and motivation. Gardens are often a place to relax and unwind so likely contribute to personal resilience during stressful situations. We know that plants do have an effect on our physiological stress responses too.
“Over 70% of respondents to a survey we ran in May 2020 felt that their outdoor space had helped their mental health during lockdown. We also know that gardens are an important component of our connection to nature and the world around us – including our neighbours and community.”
Gardening has been a popular hobby during lockdown as people have sought out fresh air, exercise and the satisfaction of growing
their own at home in the absence of social events and holidays. Allotment waiting lists have soared, along with demand for seeds, and many areas have seen city-centre rents fall as househunters look to homes with more outdoor space. But it is not crucial to have your own garden to reap many of the benefits offered by plants, even in an urban setting. Dr Chalmin-pui found that growing houseplants was also beneficial and allows people to appreciate the satisfaction of nurturing life and experience a “sense of fulfilment”. She added: “For those of us without an outdoor space, houseplants are a fantastic opportunity to regularly connect with nature. Being surrounded by nature and walking in green spaces is beneficial too, though it doesn’t allow quite the same connection as gardening.”
The Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh still attracted tens of thousands of visitors last year,
despite having to close from mid-march until July and then limit numbers. It has implemented several projects aimed at improving a sense of wellbeing when lockdown restrictions are eased, including the Garden of Tranquillity at the Edinburgh site, which has been created for people living with dementia.
Three dedicated silent space areas are also in place at botanic gardens in Scotland where visitors can enjoy peace with no mobile phones allowed. Simon Milne, regius keeper at the RBGE, said the pandemic has enhanced people’s awareness of the importance of nature and the boost it brings to their health. He said: “It’s led to people having a greater appreciation of quality gardens and green areas in and around where they live. I think it’s been a lifesaver for many people during the pandemic.
“The natural world is in the psyche of mankind, and we need access to trees, plants and nature. It improves our lives. It reduces the number of stress hormones in our bodies so this is not just us thinking plants are beautiful and it’s so nice to see them, it has a physiological as well as mental effect.”
But Mr Milne stressed that people can find the beauty of nature even with a modest window box. He added: “I know that environmental matters, protecting nature, is critical to our future wellbeing and it starts on your window ledge as much as it does in the expanses of the Scottish Highlands.
“For people to understand that it’s to respect nature as well, not to take it for granted because it’s disappearing at an alarming rate. If people respect and value it then we’re more likely to care of this planet which is our natural life support system, and that can start with growing lettuces or pansies in a window box.”
The Scots wife of Donald Trump’s treasury secretary has insisted she is a nice person, despite being labelled Cruella de Vil by critics.
Louise Linton, who is married to Steven Mnuchin, attracted criticism for social media posts celebrating the couple’s millionaire lifestyle.
But the actress, who was educated at Fettes College, in Edinburgh, has said she has learned from her mistakes, blaming much of the criticism on her close
ties to the Trump administration. She said: “I think I’m nice. I work really hard to be loving and encouraging to everyone in my life, and I care passionately about all the causes I support.”
Linton, 40, spent her teenage years living at Melville Castle on the outskirts of the capital but moved to California to attend university, and met Mnuchin, her second husband, in 2013.
But a social media post detailing her designer outfit on a presidential jet to Fort Knox in 2017 as $1.5 trillion in tax cuts were being pushed through led to a backlash, as did photographs of her and her husband with piles of the first bank notes bearing his signature.
Linton, whose selfproduced movie Me, You, Madness, in which she also stars, has endured scathing reviews.