Plants with benefits
14 Jul, 2011 LDB Solutions| America in Bloom Releases New Book, “Ten Years of Best Ideas” In celebration of its tenth anniversary of planting pride in America, America in Bloom has released a new book, “Ten Years of Best Ideas.” The book is a compilation of the best and brightest practices in America in Bloom’s nearly 200 participating towns. It also features essays written by 14 towns on the benefits of participating in the annual program. The cost is $25. It can be ordered online at www.americainbloom.org. |
America in Bloom (AIB), a program that connects people to plants, has released a white paper written by Charles R. Hall, Ellison Chair in International Floriculture, Texas A&M University and AIB member. Titled “Plants Bring Communities Together: The Benefits of Human-Plant Interactions,” it states quality landscapes are a necessity, not a luxury, and explains how plants affect our physical and economic health and well being.
“Some of the economic benefits of green spaces, parks and other managed municipal landscapes are that the beautification of these areas draws customers to shopping districts, reduces shopper stress while they are there, enhances overall curb appeal for local businesses, boosts apartment and commercial building occupancy rates, increases revenue from tourism, creates local jobs (from various landscape design, installation, and maintenance activities), increases residential and commercial property values, and even reduces the costs of street repairs from the reduced temperatures resulting from shaded roadways and sidewalks,” Hall writes in the paper.
According to the paper, peer-reviewed research has documented a person’s ability to concentrate in their work environment when it is enhanced by the presence of plants and flowers.
“Children learn faster and are less distracted in plant-filled environs as well, and plants have even been documented to reduce stress levels, hypertension, and ease the effects of attention deficit disorder,” Hall writes.
To read the entire white paper, download it here. Other resources on plant-related benefits can be found in the “Benefits of Plants” resource area of AIB’s website. There are both health and economic benefits listed on the sites.
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