The Outdoor Pharmacy

Marloes van Bennekom wants to link the garden with the city in order to bring the cure closer to the disease. “Think of the nettles-plantain effect: if you get stung by nettles, plantain will help relieve the sting.” In three locations across the Utrecht district of Overvecht, the Outdoor Pharmacy links plants to their target groups. A landscape of Ginkgo trees that help improve short term memory is placed near a home for the elderly. A garden that offers room to play and features elderberry trees – elderberries are packed with vitamins – has been designed for two primary schools. And next to the local vocational college there will be a garden full of sage to make a reviving beer for the students.