Since 1987, Tim Lynch has been designing gardens for retirement operators throughout the UK. As this market has developed and the population has grown older, the need to design gardens for nursing homes has increased.

Over the past seven years, Tim Lynch has designed many gardens for the frail and elderly, mindful that there are residents still seeking some form of active involvement in the garden.

Creating enclosed garden areas for residents to use throughout the day helps to provide a sense of movement in the garden and allows garden activities to take place. Whether it is a coffee morning in the garden, garden club areas, garden tours to discuss the plants and develop the gardens further, or merely enjoying the garden rooms, they all play a part when considering designing gardens for the frail and elderly. This helps to integrate the home with the garden and assists in making everyone feel part of a larger community.

Therefore, it is important to provide planting with plenty of colour and scent, as most gardens are used in the summer but viewed all year round. Garden lighting, highlighting trees, focal points, water features, etc allow residents to view the garden at night and continue to enjoy the visual interest in the grounds.

Wildlife is often a continual source of interest, seeing the different birds throughout the season visiting the garden. Nesting boxes and bird feeders correctly located, again provide interest to those who may not always be able to walk round the garden.

With careful and considered garden management, the ongoing development of the grounds in a coordinated manner will provide long term interest to all concerned.