ACCORDING TO A 



1975 HARRIS POLL 



CONDUCTED AMONG 



ELDERLY AMERICANS. 



GARDENING AND 



RAISING PLANTS WAS 



SECOND ONLY TO 



SOCIALIZING WITH 



FRIENDS AS POPULAR 



RECREATIONAL 



ACTIVITIES. 



BOLD TEXTURES. Remember that 

 visual acuity tends to decline with 

 age. This means that fine details can 

 be lost to an elderly person as well as 

 the ability to discern between light 

 and dark values. Therefore, greater 

 contrast in plant textures and foliage 

 colors is required. Plants with bold 

 textural effects read from a distance, 

 are more effective than fine textured 

 plants which must be viewed up close 

 to be enjoyed. Since perception be- 

 tween light and dark values is dimin- 

 ished? such as discerning between 

 bright sunlight and deep shade, shade 

 trees that cast heavy shade are best 

 avoided. Trees that offer dappled light 

 and light shade would be better choices. 



FRAGRANCE. Over time, one's sensitivity to odors 

 can greatly decline, since as many as 73% of the 

 nerve fibers responsible for sensing smell can be gone 

 between the ages of 76 to 91. As people age, a prefer- 

 ence evolves for flowery odors over fruity ones. This 

 does not mean that planting tor fragrance is in vain, 

 hut that the plants selected should be strongly fragrant 

 as well as used in quantity in mass plantings. Also, 

 plants that release fragrance when bruised might be 

 effective when used to edge walkways. 



FA.MILIARITY/REME.MBRANCE. Using familiar 

 plants, especially plants from one's childhood, can 

 help foster a sense of belonging as well as being con- 

 ducive to putting an elderly person in familiar, com- 

 fortable surroundings. Since many senior citizens are 

 in the 70-90 year range, plants that would have been 

 commonly planted 75-100 years ago, so called "old- 

 fashioned" plants, would be good selections as would 

 be many of our native plants. 



BIRDS/WILDLIFE ATTRACTORS. Because many of 

 the elderly lead rather sedentary lives and spend a 

 great deal of time either sitting or reclining, plants 

 that attract wildlife — particularly birds — can be a great 

 source of enjoyment. In addition to plants that pro- 

 duce food for wildlife, choices that provide nesting 

 sites and protection, as well as flowers, can help at- 

 tract desirable bird species. 



Although commonly used landscape plants generally 

 cause few problems, for the elderly, certain characteris- 

 tics could spell disaster. Some examples are: 



ALLERGENIC PLANTS. As people age, they tend to 

 become less sensitive to allergens. However, certain 

 pollen producing plants as well as those irritating to 

 the touch should be avoided. 



POISONOUS PLANTS. Since some seniors may at 

 times be childlike, older people may become disori- 

 ented and not be aware of where they are or what 

 they are doing. Therefore, avoid plants that could be 

 poisonous if ingested. Although fruits are most likely 

 to be ingested, plants with other poisonous parts, such 

 as seeds, flowers, and leaves, should also be avoided. 



BEE/INSECT ATTR.ACTORS. Avoid plants that un- 



14 THE PLANTSMAN 



duly attract bees and other undesirable 

 insects. Such insects could be a hazard, 

 particularly if they occur in substantial 

 numbers. Consider not only plants that 

 attract such insects because of fragrant 

 flowers, but also because of decaying 

 fruits. For example, in the fall many 

 types of crabapples drop fruits which 

 rot and attract yellow jackets that can 

 deliver severe stings if disturbed. 



MESSY PLANTS. Plants which pro- 

 duce undue amounts of leaves, fruits, 

 or dead wood could be considered a 

 liability for the elderly, as well as an 

 additional maintenance problem. These 

 plants, if located near walkways, can 

 cause slippery conditions which could 

 spell trouble for an elderly person. Dead wood, while 

 merely an inconvenience to a younger, more mobile 

 person, could be a formidable obstacle for a less agile 

 senior citizen. 



ARMED PLANTS. Plants that have thorns or prickles 

 could prove to be a safety hazard to the elderly, espe- 

 cially if located near walkways or pedestrian areas. 

 Sensitivity to touch, pressure, and vibration declines 

 in people over 50, and one's threshold to pain in- 

 creases with age. In addition to the hazard of being 

 injured, older people may not even be aware that they 

 have been hurt. 



To demonstrate how these criteria might be ap- 

 plied, consider the example of the common forsythia. 

 Since the elderly tend to perceive yellows and oranges 

 best, this plant offers nearly ideal flower color. .More- 

 over, it is a plant familiar to many people and could 

 be considered to be a plant from the childhood 

 memories of many. Although it generally does not 

 have effective fall foliage or colorful fruits, it is not a 

 safety hazard, for it is neither poisonous nor does it 

 have thorns or messy fruits. Because it satisfies several 

 ot the above criteria, forsythia, given the availability 

 oi hardier, more compact cultivars, would be a good 

 plant tor an elderly client. 



Compare this choice with the frequently — and 

 often over — used evergreen yew. This plant does not 

 have effective flowers, fruits, or colorful fall foliage, 

 although its foliage could provide good contrast to 

 deciduous plants as well as offering winter appeal. 

 In addition to providing cover for birds, fruiting types 

 would supply food for them. However, since the seeds, 

 as well as other plant parts, are poisonous, non-truit- 

 ing (male) forms are preferred, but should be used 

 with discretion. 



As we become an older society, the elderly may 

 very well prove to be an important target sales group 

 of the future. But in order to respond to this potential 

 market, people in the plant industry will need to sen- 

 sitize themselves to the critical issues and concerns 

 that come into play when recommending plants tor an 

 older clientele. 



Ralph Winslow is an Extension Pro-am Associate, 

 Agricultural Resources for Belknap County. He can be 

 reached at (603) 524-1737. »•- 



