Ireland's hospital crisis could be eased by the use of horticulture, a conference with the theme: "The Plant(ed) Word" was told yesterday.
Ms Diane Relf, from the department of horticulture in Virginia State University, said research had shown that properly landscaped hospitals and the use of plants could reduce hospital stays by as much as two days.
She told the Bord Bia organised conference at City West Hotel that there was a huge amount of research linking plants and gardening to improved mental and physical health.
"This has resulted in reduced hospital stays and medicine usage, reducing Alzheimer symptoms and osteoporosis and reduction in stress," she said.
"While the proper use of landscaping and plants around hospitals can reduce bed stays, the same techniques can also be used to increase bed nights in hotels," she said.
She added that one US hotel chain had decided to invest $1 million in plants and landscape and another $1 million on maintenance. She said the result had been increased turnover and higher bed occupancy, which had generated $7 million.
Other research had shown plants linked to such economic issues as increased worker productivity, reduced job burnout and increased time spent in stores and shopping malls.
New research had also linked lower crime rates to areas which were sensitively landscaped and the same was true of new housing developments.
She added that police records also linked green landscapes with a lower incidence of violence as well as reduced vandalism, litter and graffiti. She told those taking part, who were drawn from the amenity horticulture sector, that they were not just selling plants, they were selling a lifestyle and an attitude towards life.
"Do not ignore these marketing assets because they are very important and are worth money," she said.
"Other research in the US has indicated that the actual selling price of a home with excellent landscaping was 12-15 per cent higher than one with fair or poor landscaping," she added.
Bord Bia's director of horticulture, Mr Michael Maloney, said the amenity horticulture industry here was now worth nearly half-a-billion euro annually.