"The love of gardening is a seed once sown that never dies."
Gertrude Jekyll
INTRODUCTIONS
This week's 'Friendship Group' cognitive stimulation therapy session focuses on 'The Garden' and all things in it, because April was 'National Gardening Month' and 1st - 7th May is 'National Gardening Week'.
To facilitate and illustrate the session, we printed off some images of gardeners and gardens (and related things) for the tables and when we came to a discussion point including the person, place or thing asked members to locate the image and hold it up. We included some local parks that members would recognise.
We continued the discussion by asking members if they like gardening or if they have a favourite flower, herb or shrub.
We asked members who would say they 'have green fingers'? We discussed the meaning of this phrase.
We asked if any members had an allotment, shed or pond?
We put up on the white board things people like or dislike about the garden ...
- Likes included: Flowers, fragrances, smell of garden fire, smell of freshly cut lawn, birds, butterflies, bees and produce for eating.
- Dislikes included: Hayfever, wasps, weeds, slugs, spiders, having to mow the lawn, having to water the garden and digging beds.
We asked which are members favourite local parks and gardens?
SOPHIA GARDENS, BUTE PARK, THOMSON PARK, VICTORIA PARK, ROATH PARK, CEFN ONN PARK, COSMESTON LAKES all featured ...
PROVERBS AND IDIOMS
We asked members to complete the following phrases ...
- A bird in the hand is worth two in the BUSH (having something of even lesser value is better than taking the chance of losing it in the process of trying to achieve something more desirable)
- A rolling stone gathers no MOSS (a person who does not settle in one place will not accumulate wealth or status, or responsibilities or commitments)
- The grass is always greener on the other SIDE (the things other people have or their situations always look better than your own, even when they are not really so)
- The early bird catches the WORM (one who arrives first has the best chance for success)
- The apple doesn't fall far from the TREE (a child usually has a similar character or qualities to his or her parents)
- You reap what you SOW (you eventually have to face up to the consequences of your actions)
- People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw STONES (you shouldn't criticise other people for bad qualities in their character that you may have yourself)
- Oops-a-DAISY (expression of encouragement to a child who has fallen or is being lifted)
- A late BLOOMER (a person whose talents or capabilities are not visible to others until later than usual)
- A needle in the HAYSTACK (something that is extremely difficult to find because the area you have to search is too large)
- A shrinking VIOLET (an exaggeratedly shy person)
- Snake in the GRASS (a person who is treacherous or deceitful)
- As fresh as a DAISY (healthy and full of energy)
- Out of the WOODS (out of danger or difficulty, or being thrown a lifeline)
- To come up smelling of ROSES (emerge from a difficult situation with one's reputation in tact)
- To hold out an olive BRANCH (do or say something to show you want to end a disagreement with someone)
- To let something go to SEED (a person or thing which is past it's prime and no longer full of life)
- To nip something in the BUD (suppress or destroy something at an early stage)
- To let the grass grow under your FEET (to delay in taking action or an opportunity and risk losing it)
- To lead somebody up the garden PATH (to mislead, deceive, hoodwink or seduce somebody)
- To beat about the BUSH (avoid talking about a difficult or embarrassing situation or subject)
- Green FINGERED (a good gardener)
FIRST SONG
SINGALONG LYRIC VIDEO - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Rifby1tVE8
Name some garden birds?
MUSIC & PICTURE QUIZ
Round 1. In The Garden
 | In which garden were Adam and Eve seduced into eating the forbidden fruit by the serpent? What was the 'forbidden fruit'? |
 | Who is the Patron Saint of Gardens, as known as 'The Little Flower'?
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 | On which device would you tell the time in a garden? Which common or garden weed provides another 'clock'? |
 | Trees that shed their leaves each year are called what? Trees that keep their leaves all year are? |
 | What does the term 'perennial' mean?
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 | What liquid does a flower produce which attracts bees and butterflies? What do bees make with it?
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 | How do you tell the age of a tree?
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 | What is the Japanese art of propagating miniature trees called?
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 | What is the art of clipping trees and hedges into ornamental forms called?
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 | If you wanted to buy a bunch of flowers for a loved one, which shop would you visit?
What is the name given to the floral foam they use to make flower arrangements?
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& Name these creatures that you might find in the garden?
Thumbs up or down. Which would you be pleased to see?
SONG. 'In An English Country Garden', by Jimmie Rodgers - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUyxCP5Rvco
Think of some occasions on which you would give flowers?
Round 2. Flowers & Weeds
 | What are the flowers of the four nations? |
 | If you get stung by nettles, which plant's leaves should you rub your skin with to soothe it? |
 | How tall can a Sunflower grow?
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 | What spice comes from the Crocus?
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 | Name this flower?
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 | How many varieties of Rose are there? a. Over 10,000 b. Over 20,000 c. Over 30,000 What sweet does rose water flavour?
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 | What shrub is known as 'The Butterfly Bush'?
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 | Which kitchen item does this flower give its name to?
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 | What is the sacred flower of Buddhism?
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 | What is the name of this Christmas flower?
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Anyone recognise this flower? It’s out of this world.
& Name these garden birds
Can you think of any others?
What is your favourite bird?
SONG. 'Flowers In The Rain', The Move - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_laosNxqzNg Hippies were associated with which peace movement in the 1960s? FACTOID. This song was the first ever played on Radio 1 on 30th September 1967. The DJ was Tony Blackburn.
Round 3. Name These 'Flowery' People
 | Name this singer and the flower she always wore in her hair? |
 | Who was the first lead presenter of the TV series 'Gardeners World'?
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 | Who is this celebrity & which flowers did she always hand out to her audience?
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 | Who was the main presenter of the BBC gardening show 'Ground Force'?
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 | Name the TV comedy series and the character/actor's names? |
 | Name this actor and his TV detective series? |
 | Name this TV comedienne and her alter ego? |
& Name these 'flowery' TV shows
Name the 'flower pot men' and their friend? TV theme - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIzh3mKMUp8
What was the TV show called and what were the character's names? TV theme - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUdbZ9QY5VU
What was the TV show called and what was the name of the "very friendly lion"? Song - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWJjcT7Uipo
Name the TV show and the characters? TV theme - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llHk6Ue52-0
Name the TV show and the characters and actors? TV theme - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GT-CLEsNR08
Name the TV sitcom about giving on 'The Rat Race' and becoming self sufficient?
Name the characters and actors? TV theme - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_ysdEPflIc
SONG. 'The Wombling Song', The Wombles - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWQMMPFtoG4
Where did they live and what were they concerned about?
Round 4. Herbs & Spices
 | What herb sauce is often served with fish?
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 | What herb is used to make Pesto Sauce? & what nut is also used? |
 | Which herb is often used as a savoury bread topping in Italian cookery?
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 | Which herb is often used in pickling cucumbers?
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 | Which herb sauce is often served with roast lamb?
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 | Which sauce is often served with roast beef? |
 | What is the main herb ingredient in Paxo stuffing?
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 | Which health benefit is Lavender said to have?
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 | Which spice gives us oil that can ease toothache?
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 | What is the main herb used in the Pastis drink Pernod?
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& Name these other herbs and spices?
You might smoke this?
You might roast potatoes with this?
You might put one of these leaves in a stew to flavour it?
You might have this in a salad?
You might make dishes more 'hot' with this?
You might find this in a curry?
Americans call this cilantro?
You might have grown these two herbs in school?
This spice is often used in Chinese cooking?
Round 5. Final Songs (Take your pick)
SONG. 'Scarborough Fair', Simon & Garfunkel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ccgk8PXz64
In which English county would you find Scarborough?
SONG. 'Love Is Like A Butterfly', Dolly Parton - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pvh5WelBcAg
Who starred in the hit UK TV sitcom 'Butterflies'?
Name some common butterflies?
SONG. 'Annie's Song', John Denver - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhJjH7UIAcU
Name some trees:
SONG. 'All Kinds Of Everything', Dana - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvLPw530qoE
Who is looking forward to the 'Eurovision Song Contest' on 13th May?
Where is it being broadcast from this year?
SONG. 'San Francisco', Scott McKenzie - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaPy1JBlxcI What is the famous red bridge which crosses San Francisco Bay?
How about the infamous island prison there?
SONG. 'I Never Promised You A Rose Garden', Lynn Anderson - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0VTAvYg98E
Make a list of spring, summer, autumn and winter flowers
SONG. 'Build Me Up Buttercup', The Foundations - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSofzQURQDk What does a buttercup tell a person about another?
Which margarine famously is made from sunflower oil?
SONG. 'Tie A Yellow Ribbon 'Round The Old Oak Tree', Dawn - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-RlLFxgCkk From which seed does an oak tree grow?
What signifies dawn?
SONG. 'Take Me Home Country Roads', John Denver - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTeUdJky9rY
Ask members to say where they grew up? Where is home now?
Where in the song is 'almost heaven'?
SONG, 'Green Green Grass Of Home - Tom Jones - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYjBpgz2lus Does anyone in the group suffer with hayfever? What is it that is produced by a flower, grass or tree that makes you sneeze? What tablet might you take to help you stop sneezing?
PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES
Planting seeds - cress and mustard. For making egg sandwiches in a later session.
- sunflowers
To see whose can grow tallest.
Planting tomato plants - or similar.
Having produce to taste is a great reward for your efforts.
Pressing flowers
An alternative to layering and pressurising flowers (the traditional method) is to bang flowers between blotting paper on the floor with a rolling pin.
The colour discharges and remains on the paper, making instant prints.
Arranging flowers
Bring a few bunches of flowers and a couple of vases and have members arrange the flowers as they wish. Use some oasis for a more artistic effort.
RELAXATION
A nice mindfulness activity to use with the 'Greensleeves' classical music track https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSjfkwvOOAM is to hand each member a flower to look closely at and observe in fine detail - look, colour, texture, smell, memories it brings to mind etc. (Caution. Just be aware that some clients with more advanced dementia may have hyperorality as a symptom and be at risk of putting flowers into their mouths. If there is any concern regarding this maybe don't use this activity, or use edible plants!) Painting flowers. As an alternative to flower arranging, ask members if any of them would prefer to have a go at painting the flowers. Display products with pride. Smells box. In the 'Resources' page, there is a link to a reminiscence smells box which provides a great activity. Many of the smells are floral. Fresh herbs and fruit smell and taste session. Try: - Tomatoes with basil and chives - Cucumber with dill and vinegar - Strawberries with mint and sugar - Apples with honey and yoghurt. Maybe with a glass of Dandelion and Burdock pop as a refreshment and another reminiscence opportunity. (Cautions. Be aware of any allergies. And any swallow concerns.)
ANSWERS
Garden Of Eden / Apple
St Theresa Of Lisieux
Sundial / Dandelion
Deciduous / Evergreen
Flowers each year
Nectar / Honey
Count its rings
Bonsai
Topiary
Florist / Oasis
Hedgehog, Ladybird, Snail
Squirrel, Mole, Bumble bee
Fox, Rat, Peacock butterfly
Wedding bouquet (ask members to describe theirs, if appropriate) (The person who catches the bouquet is next in line to marry, apparently!)
Valentine's Day ("Roses are red, Violets are blue, Sugar is sweet, And so are you!")
Mother's Day
Birthdays
Remembrance Sunday (poppies)
Christmas wreath (holly and ivy)
Funeral floral tributes
Wales - daffodil
Scotland - thistle
England - red rose
Ireland - shamrock
Dock leaves
14 feet
Saffron
Bird Of Paradise
Over 30,000
Buddleia
Marigold Kitchen Gloves
Lotus Blossom
Poinsettia
Triffid
Robin, Wren
Bluebird, Sparrow,
Blackbird, Starling (Murmuration)
Magpie (One for sorrow, two for joy, three for a girl, four for a boy, five for silver, six for gold, seven for a secret never to be told, eight's a wish, nine's a kiss, ten is a bird you must not miss), Wood pigeon (Ring dove)
Jay, Song thrush
Flower Power (Anti Vietnam War) / Campaign For Nuclear Disarmament
Billie Holiday / Gardenia
Percy Thrower
Dame Edna Average (Barry Humphries) / Gladioli
Alan Titchmarsh
'Keeping Up Appearances' / Hyacinth Bucket (Patricia Routledge)
John Nettles (D.I. John Barnaby) / 'Midsomer Murders'
Lily Savage / Paul O'Grady
'Bill & Ben' (And 'Little Weed')
'The Magic Roundabout' / Ermintrude (Cow), Florence (Girl), Dylan (Rabbit), Dougal (Dog), Brian (Snail) & Zebedee (Spring)
'The Herbs' / Parsley
'Hector's House' / Zaza & Mrs Kiki
'Worzel Gummidge' / Jon Pertwee & Una Stubbs
'The Good Life' / Tom & Barbara Good and Jerry & Margot Leadbetter
Parsley
Basil / Pine nuts
Garlic
Dill
Mint
Horseradish
Sage
Aids sleep
Clove
Fennel
Cannabis, Rosemary, Bay leaves
Chives, Chilli, Cardamom
Coriander, Mustard & Cress, Star anise
North Yorkshire
Wendy Craig
Red Admiral, Monarch, Cabbage White, Common Blue, Peacock
Deciduous - oak, maple, birch, ash, willow, poplar, beech, chestnut, sycamore
Evergreen - pine, spruce, cedar, bay, eucalyptus, olive
Liverpool
Golden Gate Bridge / Alcatraz
Spring flowers - crocus, tulip, daffodil, primrose, bluebell
Summer flowers - rose, geranium, hydrangea, sunflower
Autumn flowers - dahlia, begonia, gladioli, chrysanthemum
Winter flowers - poinsettia, pansies, snowdrop
Weeds - Dandelion, stinging nettles, daisies, ivy
If the person likes butter, a buttercup will glow brightly under their chin / 'Flora'
Acorn / Dawn chorus, milk float, sunrise, traffic
West Virginia
Pollen / Antihistamine
