All gardens pamper to our senses to a greater or lesser extent. Add features and plants to stimulate sepecific senses   and you will create a sensory and potentially therapeutic garden.

Movement and Sound

• The sound of wind or even a slight breeze can stimulate our aural senses.
• Grasses are very useful in this situation as the leaves, stems or flowers can rustle together and also make shapes and movement.
• On a hot summer day pollinating insects may buzz around your flowers.
• Running water is ever popular in most sensory gardens but take care on behalf of young children.
• Hard landscaping and path materials should be chosen with sound in mind. Gravel can be nice and crunchy whilst cobbled paths may echo from shoes and boots.

 

Scent and Smell

• Do not exclusively think about flowers, important though they may be.
• One of the most evocative garden scents in cut grass and another can be fresh sweet compost.
• Crushable leaves are both tactile and give off aromatic oils. Choysia, conifers some pelargoniums and Catmint are worth incorporating.
• Herbs are obvious winners for aromas and I would include mint, sage, lavender, thyme and rosemary.
• Interaction in a sensory garden is important so position scented plants where they can be accessed and appreciated.

Senses of the Spirit

• A good sensory garden will lift the spirits and encourage participation in the garden all different sort of ways.
• Include a range of tactile items that can be touched or leaves that can be stroked like Lamb’s Ears (stachys byzanthina).
• Include spaces for resting sitting and pondering. This is also important for attracting and retaining wild life.
• Sculpture, ornaments, layout and landscaping should be key features.

Other Plants for a Sensory Garden

• Bellflower, Forget-me-not, Sedum spectabile and Valerian
• Ferns, Phormium tenax, Hydrangea Serrrata
• Dead Nettle, Hebe, Shasta Daisy. Mock orange, Buddleia the butterfly bush
• Zebra grass, Feather Grass, Yarrow and bamboo.

Other Thoughts

• Give extra thought to health and safety for those who may have some sensory deprivation
• If the public are to use the garden consider the size and quality of signage and name tags.
• If the budget allows have a talking trail with verbal commentary.