Benesse Healing Gardens_Shelbyville

With five calming water features and a number of separate areas promoting meditation and privacy, the nearly one-acre Benesse Healing Gardens is the largest hospital-related facility of its kind in central Indiana. The $600,000 facility, funded by private donors in the region, can be easily accessed directly from treatment facilities in the Benesse Oncology Center in the Intelliplex park.

The elaborate gardens include a butterfly sensory garden to attract butterflies and hummingbirds, a spiritual garden modeled after a Native American “Kiva Pit,” and an artistic labyrinth that promotes symbolic self-discovery and introspection.

The Benesse Healing Gardens include the following innovative features:
• Five separate water treatments, from open springs to an open runnel with water bubbling across set stones
• A Spiritual Garden, which features a Native American-styled Kiva Pit in a sunken area with seating
• A Sensory Garden with special butterfly-attracting plants and flowing water springs
• A figurative labyrinth area with a large polished stone at the center to symbolize self-discovery
• A leaf patio, with hand-cut patterns of autumn leaves sealed in textured concrete
• A Meditation Garden with features tall bushes and trees to provide a shady and restful environment promoting privacy

Benesse Oncology Healing Gardens SHELBYVILLE IN

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PHOTO CAPTIONS
1 & 2: A cedar arbor welcomes visitors to the garden from the walking path in Intelliplex. The first thing these visitors will see is a restful, obelisk fountain beckoning them to come, sit, and rest for awhile.

3) The raintree is a custom water feature made of copper that models a dogwood dripping water from its branches after a spring or summer shower.

4) A view of the custom built obelisk fountain from the sensory garden.

5) Lanterns light the garden paths after dark.

6) The sensory garden features a bubbling rock that patients and others enjoy as an open spring for water play.

7) The water runnel ends at the edge of the plaza featuring the obelisk fountain.

8) Teak benches underneath a cedar pergola provide restful seating.

9) The lush viewing garden is visible through the floor to ceiling windows in the medical oncology area. Each treatment bay offers a unique view of the garden and the many birds and small animals that make it their home.

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PHOTO CAPTIONS (continued)
10) A water runnel helps mask highway noise and is a big hit with garden visitors due to its unique construction and amazing similarity to an actual stream.

11) These copper daisies were created by metal artist Jonathon Barbeen in honor of Gail Gibson. They adorn the water wall in the viewing garden.

12) This granite snail was sponsored by the family of Gail Gibson, affectionately known as "Snail." Memorial contributions in her name funded the viewing garden, which is the part of the garden immediately outside the medical oncology treatment areas. Each private treatment area features its own panorama of the viewing garden through floor to ceiling windows.

13) A footpath leads to the sensory garden, which is planted with flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies and features a bubbling rock. Water is pumped through a channel drilled in this rock to mimic an open spring.

14) The labyrinth is a symbol of introspection and self-discovery--not to mention a favorite of the children who visit the garden. They can't resist skipping along the path to the center where they love running their hands over the polished rock.

PHOTO CREDIT
©The MEK Group

This photography is available for use in any media.

Much Higher Resolution versions are available of all photography.  Contact Mike Snyder msnyder@themekgroup.com for details.