Planting hope

A new “Hope Garden” in the Flagstaff Courtyard invites reflection, connection, and care for mind and body.

This fall, students planted 50 yellow tulips in the main Flagstaff Courtyard—flowers that will bloom in the spring as a bright reminder to take care of mind and body. The planting is part of the Yellow Tulip Project (YTP), a youth-driven movement that encourages open conversations about mental health and reassures people that hope happens—and that no one has to struggle in silence.

When Casey Smith, instructor in studio art and a coordinator in the Office of Community and Multicultural Development (CAMD), learned about the program, he was optimistic the garden could be a beacon of hope and inspire other mental health initiatives on campus. 

“These tulips will serve as a visual reminder to students that there is hope, that someone is aware and mindful of their mental health and their needs,” says Smith. “I also anticipate they will be a cue for people to make time and space for self-care, despite busy schedules.”

To bring the project to life, Smith partnered with colleagues across campus for this community event. Allison Guerette, manager of sustainability, climate, and energy programs, gathered interested students and supplied gardening tools, gloves, and expert advice for planting. Bryan Montejunas, manager of grounds, helped students dig holes and taught them how to place the bulbs.

Guerette was delighted to see students connect through the process. “I personally find working with plants meditative and restorative,” she says. “Beds of yellow tulips will be especially cheerful in the spring.”

Smith plans to continue working with the YTP—which has inspired the planting of more than half a million tulips across the country—to add signage such as “Hope Garden” to the new flower bed and to bring more positive, proactive wellness activities to campus.

“This project allows us to focus on students’ needs and on those who are being targeted and marginalized,” says Smith. “As the tulip bulbs brave the winter and prepare for spring, we will look to bring additional information to campus and look to see a greater shift in the ways we have conversations about our mental health on campus.”