Hospital venture has patients blooming

Bringing flowers to cheer up loved ones recovering from illness or surgery at Woodwinds Hospital in Woodbury just got a whole lot more convenient.

Guests can simply step into the hospital's new Cutting Garden, snip off a bloom and deliver a slice of nature to a patient's room, vase included, at no charge.

"A fresh flower can perk up somebody's day," said Tom Schmitt, the hospital's CEO. "A hospital may not be where somebody wants to be, but this can enhance the experience. You instantly see a smile on somebody's face. What a difference that makes."

The garden is the latest venture for the hospital, which prides itself on being an innovator and a leader in integrating holistic therapies into the healing process.

It's believed to be the first garden of its kind in the country, Schmitt said. "I did a Google [search], and that didn't turn up anything," he said. Being first, "We light up when we hear that."

The hospital spent $17,000 to extend a paved sidewalk to connect with a labyrinth, nature area and two other gardens that make up the Woodwinds' Healing Gardens area. Donations from employees and residents in the community covered all of the costs, which included hiring Gertens Greenhouse and Garden Centers to design the space and Horticultural Services to put down mulch and 27 varieties of plants, such as daylilies, peonies, daisies, black-eyed Susans, roses and Sienna Sunset.

Although the Cutting Garden opened only three weeks ago, word has spread to other care facilities that are interested in creating similar gardens.

Those who want to cut flowers for a patient will be accompanied to the garden by a representative from the hospital's Guest Services staff or a volunteer from the Welcome Desk. That's so people don't cut more than three stems, Schmitt said. The hospital will provide the cutting equipment and vases, he said.

The idea for the Cutting Garden came from the ranks of employees and from some of the hospital's 400 volunteers, who are constantly suggesting "doing things that have not been done before," Schmitt said.

Of course, handpicked flowers for cutting will be available only during the growing season, roughly May through October. But already there are thoughts of building a greenhouse on a portion of the 30 undeveloped acres on the hospital's campus so the cut flowers can be offered year-round.