The Wisconsin Gardener

>> We're in the newly-completed healing garden of St. Clare Hospital in Baraboo. And my guest is Dr. Brad Schnee. Brad, why a healing garden? What is the importance of this? >> Shelley, I'm a member of the St. Clare Healthcare Foundation Board of Directors and a physician here at St. Clare Hospital. I felt that there was a need to provide a beautiful and tranquil setting where patients, family members and staff that work here at the hospital could retreat to to help get away from the stresses and emotional turmoil often associated with a hospital setting. I feel strongly that nature with its sights, sounds and smells can provide a real strong healing presence in our lives. >> I definitely agree with something like that. There's a tranquility, a sense of serenity and beauty sitting in a setting like this. How did it come to be? I mean, this has happened fairly quickly. You've had a really good response to this. >> Well, after the idea was brought up we put together a committee of ten people from the community. They brought their skills and love of gardening together and had several committee meetings

often at 6

30 in the morning and came up with a plan. We had to go out and raise the money, of course. And Keri Olson, our director was instrumental in the success of that. We were able to meet our budget. >> That helps! >> It was amazing how the community just fell in love with this project and not only did they donate money but time, and helping to come out and plant the various plants and also donated plants too. >> You've had a combination of volunteers and you've had some really small volunteers. >> That's right. The hospital has a day care center. And last summer... several of the members came out and tried to do their best at sticking seeds and seedlings in the ground. >> The smaller members, right? >> Yeah! >> You've had plants donated. I know you said the Aldo Leopold Foundation donated lots of prairie plants? >> Right. >> And you've got a wonderful rose with a story behind it. >> That's right. One of the staff members here donated a vintage rose that her grandmother had planted in 1890. >> Wow. >> We're anxious to watch as that grows through the years. We have lots of native plants here. We have a prairie section, a healing plant, medicinal plant section. >> Favorite spots? >> Well, I think I like over by the waterfall and pond because of the soothing sound of the rushing water. But as you look through here, every spot is beautiful and throughout the year different things are coming up. The prairie smoke is awesome in the spring. I have Elizabeth Magnolia planted in honor of my daughter, Elizabeth. And a redbud tree, a particular favorite-- Being at the edge of it's range we hope it will pull through. >> There's a labyrinth so there's something for everybody. >> That's right. >> Do you see people using it already? >> It's been amazing, the response. There's not a day that goes by in the hospital where I don't run into patients or staff members that say how much they appreciate it. I had a patient just last month who was here for over a week and he came out three separate times. And every morning, when I'd see him he said how much he appreciated being able to come out here and how much it had helped with his hospital stay. >> I think it's a wonderful setting. It's a great place to sit and be healed. Thank you, Brad. Next up, we'll learn even more about how important gardening really can be.