Flowers make us happy says RHS report

One of the most uplifting sights at this time of year is the profusion of spring flowers bringing colour to our streets, commercial centres and communal areas as well as gardens and window boxes.

The power of flowers to increase happiness was proven recently in a survey of 2,000 people published by the Royal Horticultural Society. In the survey, 95% of respondents said that being in a beautiful garden lifted their mood, whilst over 60% said that they were saddened by looking at a row of paved-over front gardens.

The report comes amongst concerns that gardens are increasingly being paved over. According to the RHS, an estimated seven million front gardens in the UK contain concrete and cars rather than flowers and grass. As a result, the organisation is launching a "greening grey Britain" campaign to encourage the planting of trees, shrubs and flowers. It is hoped that this will attract wildlife and improve air quality as well as reducing flood risk.

The three year target is to transform around 6,000 grey spaces, including gardens and public areas with plants and flowers.

"Many of us get a boost by simply looking at a beautiful garden or having access to green space,” explains Alistair Griffiths, Director of Science and Collections at the RHS. "So instead of paving over green we can all play a part in reducing the grey and brightening it, and us, up with some plants.”

Amberol’s Managing Director Patience Atkinson-Gregory has also lent her support to the campaign. “We work closely with local authorities, Britain in Bloom groups and businesses to help bring colour and cheer to the streets of the UK, so we feel passionately about the importance of creating more green spaces,” she comments. “This can only be a good thing for communities and we wholeheartedly support the RHS in this initiative.”

Amberol’s self-watering containers can be used anywhere to create green spaces – to see the full range, click here.