The Alice & Herbert Sachs Therapeutic Conservatory at MossRehab’s Elkins Park campus—which serves as an oasis for patients and visitors and as the working center for MossRehab’s horticultural therapy program—was recognized as a 2017 Garden of Distinction during the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s annual Gardening and Greening Contest.
Specifically, the conservatory earned distinction in the Flower & Specialty Garden category, which is any size garden containing mostly flowers and/or trees and shrubs, including community flower gardens and specialty flower gardens.
MossRehab will receive a garden sign to acknowledge the distinction at a reception for this year’s winners November 14 at PHS headquarters.
“We're honored to be recognized by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society,” says Abby Jaroslow, HTR, MossRehab’s horticultural therapist, who oversees the conservatory and the horticultural therapy program. “It's been the caring love and attention provided by our patients, volunteers and Recreation Therapy staff that has kept the garden blooming and bringing respite and joy to so many visitors.”
Jaroslow’s submission to the PHS was one of 387 received by the PHS this year from throughout the tri-state area.
“We had an amazing range of gardens created by talented individuals and dedicated community groups in this year’s competition,” PHS President Matt Rader says. “PHS takes great pleasure in recognizing the accomplishments of these gardeners. We hope they inspire their neighbors to enter next year’s Gardening and Greening Contest, one of the many ways PHS connects people with horticulture and engages them in the joys of gardening.”
The Alice & Herbert Sachs Therapeutic Conservatory - named in honor of the project's benefactors - features three distinct work, grow and show areas, as well as an outdoor patio.
The work area is where patients participate in horticultural activities to gain practice in cognitive sequencing; increase strength, range of motion and balance; improve bilateral upper-limb integration and fine motor skills; and build in functional tasks. Activities in the conservatory are coordinated by the horticultural therapist supporting each patient's physical and occupational rehabilitation goals.
The conservatory's grow area is a working greenhouse that supports the horticultural therapy program.
The show area is a plant-filled respite space for patients and visitors. It features a living wall, stones from the Wissahickon Creek, finished concrete, natural cedar trim, a calming water feature and day lighting.
Learn more about the Alice & Herbert Sachs Therapeutic Conservatory