View through a window

Headlines about a 1984 seminal study linking human health to nature declared, “View through a window may influence recovery from surgery.” That early study found that hospital patients with a view of green space outside their windows recovered from surgery more quickly with fewer pain medications or complications than those without. Now, Loretto Living Center residents with rooms on the north side will have a view that includes native plants which attract birds and nourish the human spirit with beauty and color.

After months of planning and discussion with the Motherhouse Aesthetics Committee, phase one of the project was implemented March 13-15, thanks to volunteers Karen Bess and Mike Below. Karen and Mike are retired native landscape architects, and Karen has been coming to Knobs Haven for over 30 years. With their expertise, the project grew from “Let’s plant a few bushes along the edge of the parking lot …” to what Karen dubbed, the “healing habitat garden.”

The first phase involved adding topsoil to create a berm and then mixing in composted leaves. Phase two will involve planting and will take place in May. Stay tuned for more photos!

Meanwhile, the St. Mary’s courtyard garden for residents of the memory care unit is also receiving attention. Carefully tended for years by Bea Klebba, it is now being cared for by Mary Nelson and Joe Graves, Motherhouse groundskeeper, who are lending their expertise to help reinvigorate the garden with new life.

These and other native landscaping projects are moving forward thanks to many of you who have donated to the Motherhouse tree and native plants fund in memory or in honor of someone you love. Thank you.