Sensory gardens plants

Creating a Sensory Garden

Updated March 07, 2019

Written by Rachel Drietz under the direction and review of David Graper. Drietz was a student in Dr. Graper's Herbaceous Plants class. One of the last assignments for the class was to write an outreach paper. Several of the best ones are published through SDSU Extension.

What Is a Sensory Garden?

A sensory garden is a garden that has a collection of plants that are appealing to one or more of the five senses; sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch. Sensory gardens should be accessible for all people to enjoy - disabled and non-disabled. Sensory gardens are typically geared towards young children, but are enjoyed by people of all ages.

Appealing to Sight

Bleeding Heart

Bleeding Heart

Bleeding hearts (Dicentra spectabilis) grow to a height of 2 to 3 ft. and flower May to June. The flowers look like downward-facing hearts that grow on gently arching horizontal stems. Flower color may be white, pink or red. The foliage is usually dark green but a variety with chartreuse foliage is also available. This hardy perennial performs best in part-sun to shade and prefers a site that has fairly consistent moisture

Butterfly Weed

Butterfly Weed

Butterfly weed (Ascelpias tuberosa) grows to a height of 1 to 2 1/2 ft. with a spread: 1 to 1 1/2 ft. Bright, showy yellow to orange flowers are produced from June to early September. Besides having the pretty flowers, butterfly weed is a primary food source for butterflies, especially the Monarch butterflies, which rely on this plant, and other members of the milkweed family, as food source for their larva. Butterfly weed grows best in full sun, is drought tolerant once established is a hardy, long-lived perennial.

Cockscomb

Cockscomb (Celosia argentea) grows to a height: 1/2 to 2 ft. with a similar spread. It produces a feather-like, showy flower spike that comes in a variety of colors including white, pink, red, yellow, orange, lavender and peach. Flowers first appear in June and continue until frost. The flowers may also be used as a fresh or dried cut flower. Cockscomb grows best in full sun.

Delphinium

Delphinium

Delphinium (Delphinium hybrid) grows from 1 to 4 ft. in height or more depending on the variety. It appeals to sight with its tall spikes of showy flowers which develop in June to July then possibly again in September. The flowers may be enjoyed in the garden as well as in the home since they make an excellent cut flower. Flowers may be white, pink, lavender, blue, purple or multi-toned. Plants perform best in full sun with protection from the wind.

Garden Pinks

Garden Pinks (Dianthus hybrid) grow to a height of 8 to 12 inches and bloom from spring until a killing frost in the fall. The plants produce many thin stems topped with several bright flowers that may be white, pink, lavender, red, or multi-toned. The flowers have a slight spicy aroma so they also appeal to the sense of smell as well. Pinks are usually grown as annuals in sun to part sun but may sometimes over-winter.

Garden Zinnia

There are many kinds of zinnias (Zinnia elegans) so one can find cultivars that will range in height from 1 to 4 ft. with a spread of 9 to 30 inches. Zinnias appeal to sight with their showy flowers and because they often attract butterflies. Zinnias begin blooming in June and will continue until frost. The flowers are available in a wide variety of colors and they also make excellent cut flowers. Zinnias are annuals that perform best in full sun.

Purple Coneflower

Purple coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea) usually grow to a height: 2 to 3 ft. with a spread 1 to 2 ft. They appeal to sight with their showy flowers and because they often attract butterflies and later, small seed-eating birds. They bloom from July to a hard freeze in the fall. Varieties are now available with flowers in a wide array of colors ranging from white to pink, purple, yellow, orange, red, and peach with different types of flowers as well. Plants are also drought tolerant once established and perform best in full sun.

Rose mallow

Rose mallow plants (Hibiscus moscheutos) are perennials grow to be quite large each year, reaching 3 to 4 ft. in height with a 2 to 3 ft. spread. They bloom from July to September, producing very large, showy flowers that last for one day once the bud opens, but can still be in continuous flower all summer long. They grow best in full sun.

Sunflower

Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) can grow to a height: 3 to 10 ft. with a spread: 1 1/2 to 3 ft. Sunflowers produce large, showy flowers with bright yellow to orange or brown rays (petals) and a dark center from July to August.The flowers attract bees and butterflies then later, as the seeds ripen, birds and other seed-eating animals. Sunflowers should be planted in full sun.

Appealing to Smell

Anise Hyssop

Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) grow 2 to 4 ft. tall and spread 1 1/2 to 3 ft. wide. They appeal to smell with a black licorice-like scent when leaves are rubbed between the fingers. Showy purple Flowers appear from June to September which are very attractive to bees, butterflies and humming birds. The young leaves and shoots can be used as a flavoring for teas as well.

Creeping Thyme

Creeping Thyme (Thymus Serpyllum) is a low-growing and spreading plant that will only get about 4 to 6” tall but may spread from 8 to 12” wide. They appeal to sense of smell when leaves are rubbed between fingers or if the plants are bruised when stepping on them, as they are often used as a hardy ground cover. Plants begin producing their tiny, but showy purple flowers in June and continue to August. Thyme performs best in full sun.

Catmint

There are several different varieties of catmint (Nepeta mussinii) that will range in height: 9 to 18 inches and spread: 1 to 1 1/2 ft. These hardy perennials appeal to the sense of smell by releasing a scent when leaves are rubbed between fingers, which may also be attractive to your cat. Small, pale purple flowers appear from May to September. Plants grow best in full sun to part shade.

Daffodil

Daffodils (Narcissus hybrid) are a favorite, hardy, early spring flowering bulb that will grow to a height of 1 to 2 ft. with a 6 to 12 inch spread. The very fragrant flowers appeal to the sense of smell, as well as sight since they come in a bright yellow color, but there are other flower colors available too. Plant daffodils in full sun for best performance.

Hyacinth

Hyacinths (Hyacinthus orientalis) are another hardy, perennial, early spring-flowering bulb that grow 8 to 12” tall with a 4 to 8” spread. They appeal to sense of smell with their flowers which have a sweet, strong scent. Flowers range in color from white, pink, red, blue and purple and can be used in flower arrangements.

Lily-of-the-Valley

This is a wonderful ground cover plant that only grows 6 to 8 inches tall but may spread to several feet. The small, usually white, very sweetly scented flowers are borne in early spring on arching stems about 8” tall. Lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis) is a hardy perennial that grows best in part-sun to shade but can tolerate full sun if it has ample moisture.

Appealing to Hearing

Balloon flower

Balloon flowers (Platycodon grandifloras) grow 1 to 2 1/2 ft. tall and spread 1 to 1 1/2 ft. wide. They appeal to the sense of hearing because the “inflated” buds make a popping sound when squeezed. Plants bloom from June to August, producing white, pink or a purple-blue, showy flowers. These hardy perennials perform best in full sun to part shade.

False indigo

False Indigo (Baptisia australis) is a hardy perennial that grows 3 to 4 ft. tall with up to a 3 to 4 ft. spread. It appeals to sense of hearing since it produces brown seed pods containing seeds that create a rattling sound when shook. The flowers range in shades of blue to yellow and appear from May to June. Plants Perform best in full sun to part shade and are a drought tolerant and long-lived plant, once established.

Pigsqueak

Pigsqueak (Bergenia cordifolia) grows about 8 to 12 inches tall with a spread of 1 to 1 1/2 ft. It is an interesting plant with its leathery foliage that can produce a squeak sound when rubbed together. It also has attractive and showy pink or white flowers from April to May and foliage that turns red to burgundy in the fall. This hardy perennial performs best in sun to part shade.

Switchgrass

Varieties of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) grow from 3 to 5 ft. in height with a similar spread. Ornamental grasses like this appeal to the sense of hearing though the susurrations of their leaves and stems as they rub against each other when the wind blows. They also appeal to the sense of touch with their tall, leafy stems, and later by their seed heads which develop beginning in August. This grass is very drought tolerant once established and will also provide winter interest. It performs best in full sun.

Appealing to Taste

Chives

Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) are clumping plants that grow 12 to 18 inches tall with a similar spread. They appeal to the sense of taste, since they are commonly used as an herb to provide a mild, onion-like flavor. Plants bloom from April to May, producing pink to purple, showy flowers and narrow, round leaves. These perennial plants perform best in full sun to part shade.

Nasturtium

Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) are interesting plants produce sprawling stems that may reach 1 to 2’ in height with a spread of several feet. The bright, showy flowers, available in red, orange, or yellow, are produced from May to September. The leaves are also interesting since the petiole comes out of the center of the back of the leaf. This annual performs best in full sun.

Appealing to Touch

Lambs’ ears

Lamb’s ears (Stachys byzantine) is a very fuzzy-leaved plant that grows to a height of 9 to 18 inches tall with a spread: 1 to 1 1/2 ft. The fuzzy, furry foliage and stems appeal to the sense of touch and it also blooms from May to July. This hardy perennial is generally used as a groundcover in a full sun to partly shady location.

Satiny Wormwood

This particular wormwood (Artemisia schmidtiana) has exceptionally fine foliage with a very silky feel. It only grows about 9 to 12” tall with a 1 to 1 3/4 ft. spread. This often short-lived perennial performs best in full sun to part shade in well-drained soil. It is often used as a groundcover.

Wooly Thyme

Wooly thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus) is a low growing ground cover plant, only reaching a height of 4 to 6 inches with a spread of 6 to 12 inches. It appeals to the sense of touch because its foliage has fine hairs covering its leaves. This hardy perennial performs best in full sun. Pale pink, showy flowers may be produced mid-summer which often attract butterflies.

There’s More to a Sensory Garden than Just Plants!

A sensory garden does not need to contain just plants that appeal to the senses, but hardscapes, pathways, bird feeders, and water features can be used for added sensory opportunities. Hardscapes provide different textures that can be seen and felt. Water features provide another sensory experience providing opportunities for sight, sound, and touch. These other, non-plant features, are good attributes to consider adding to a sensory garden.

The use of several elements, beyond plants, add to the sensory experience and enables the opportunity for flexibility in users. Through the creation of sensory gardens, many people can experience the beauty of the outdoors through more senses than just sight. Take the time to experience the outdoors through all human senses and relax.

the 10 best to grow in your garden |

(Image credit: RHS/Neil-Hepworth)

Sensory garden plants can delight all five of our senses. A backyard filled with these will have visual appeal, beautiful scent, enchanting sound when their leaves shift in the breeze, and interesting textures. Plus, of course, some of these choices – including both edible flowers and herbs – please our sense of taste.

While all yards have the potential to delight our five senses, sensory garden ideas focus very specifically on these elements in their design and in the selection of plants for the space, turning up the dial on sight, sound, touch, smell and taste.

Here, we’ve put together a guide to our favorite plant options for a sensory garden to assist in your design.

Sensory garden plants

The sensory garden plants in this selection include those that are particularly appealing to one of the five senses, or to more than one. Use them to inform your flower bed ideas and make sure to choose a mix of plants with varying habits, such as those that scramble over a trellis or have a commanding presence in the border due to their height.

1. Curry plant (Helichrysum italicum)

(Image credit: Nahhan/GettyImages)

This compact evergreen shrub with silvery gray foliage and clusters of pale lemon pollen-laden flowers is beautifully scented on warm days and known for attracting bees. It likes a sunny, sheltered spot in well-drained soil, and should be trimmed to keep its shape.

Height: 3.9 to 9.6in (10 to 50cm)

Spread: 19.6 to 40in (50cm to 1m)

2. Anethum graveolens (dill)

(Image credit: Tasty Food and Photography/GettyImages)

With its feathery aromatic blue-green leaves and flat umbels of bright yellow flowers this plant has many different roles in the sensory garden, from adding long flowering brilliant acid-green color to creating textural interest with its spangled flowers and flavorful leaves for cooking. Happy in full sun where it will self-sow freely.

Height: 19.6 to 40in (50cm to 1m)

Spread: 3.9 to 19.6in (10 to 50cm)

3. Camomile

(Image credit: Jacky Parker Photograph/GettyImages)

From crushing it underfoot on summer lawns to release its crisp apple scent, planting under seats to create a pleasant place to linger or adding to soothing teas, fragrant camomile is one of our favorite sensory garden plants and one that can be used as part of a host of garden decorating ideas. The feathery leaves are highly fragrant when touched and the daisy-like flowers add a pretty detail.

Height: 11.8in (30cm)

Spread: 17.7in (45cm)

4. Lamb’s ears (Stachys byzantina)

(Image credit: Bernhard Ernst/Alamy)

A must in the sensory garden for its velvety foliage and a sound choice for a small garden, this evergreen perennial has very touchable textured leaves that are so soft that this plant is also known as bunnies’ ears. It produces spikes of purple-pink flowers in summer, too. It likes well drained soil in a sunny position.

Height: 3.9 to 19.6in (10 to 50cm)

Spread: 19.6 to 40in (50cm to 1m)

5. Buddleia

(Image credit: Jacky Parker Photography/GettyImages)

This plant is known as the butterfly bush for a reason. It’s easy to tempt beautiful butterflies into your garden with a buddleia that will bloom for months. Prune buddleia to keep the flowers (and butterflies) coming. Choose a sunny sheltered spot for your plant as butterflies like heat but really it will grow anywhere.

Height: 8 to 10ft (2.5 to 3m)

Spread: 8 to 10ft (2.5 to 3m)

6. Lavender

(Image credit: Thompson & Morgan)

A staple of the sensory garden, add scent and color by using lavender in a sunny spot either potted up as the solo act or weaved in among other summer flowers. For impact position it near doors and paths to get the full benefit of the fragrance when you pass by, and watch the bees and butterflies swarm all over it.

Height: 19.6 to 40in (50cm to 1m)

Spread: 19.6 to 40in (50cm to 1m)

7. Mock orange (Philadelphus)

(Image credit: Olga Bungova/GettyImages)

Pure white blooms set against the dark green foliage means the mock orange shrub is a visual treat plus it has intoxicating scent that’s a magnet for butterflies, too. Philadelphus are tolerant of most soils in full sun or light shade.

Height: 10 to 12ft (3 to 3.6m)

Spread: 10 to 12ft (3 to 3.6m)

8. Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

(Image credit: Martin Wahlborg/GettyImages)

Long-lasting purple coneflowers have pink flowers with a distinctive orange cone at the center. They work well planted in drifts with ornamental grasses and other herbaceous perennials, and are popular with pollinators. Grow in rich well-drained soil in full sun.

Height: 3.2 to 4.9ft (1 to 1.5m)

Spread: 3.9 to 19.6in (10 to 50cm)

9. Alliums

(Image credit: Mint Images/GettyImages)

Introduce sensory garden plants with both color and shape with some of these magical globes. Balls of starry petals rise high on spiky stems to float above other flowers and add a strong vertical accent. Another bonus is that bees and butterflies flock to them.

Height: 1.6 to 3.2ft (50cm to 1m)

Spread: 3.9 to 19.6in (10 to 50cm)

10. Bamboo

(Image credit: Keren Su China Span/Alamy Stock Photo)

Create a serene space for quiet reflection. The canes of bamboo form an airy green screen that shifts and ripples in the breeze to add movement to your planting. The rustle of foliage can also help to screen traffic and other background noises to enhance the tranquillity in your yard.

Height: 13 to 26ft (4 to 8m)

Spread: 13 to 26ft (4 to 8m)

What plants do you put in a sensory garden?

Plants for a sensory garden can include flowers, foliage, bark and stems, which can all be visually appealing as well as offering textural interest. Velvety lamb’s ears (Stachys byzantina), the feathery plumes of ornamental grasses and cool fern fronds are all good to run your fingers through, as are drifts of lavender which have the bonus of releasing an intoxicating scent, too.

Other aromatic plants that are good for a sensory garden include roses, honeysuckle and jasmine, as well as aromatic herbs that you can pick and crush between your fingers to release their scent.

Choose sensory garden plants that produce a soothing sound as well as movement that catches the eye when the wind blows, such as ornamental grasses and bamboo.

Another obvious way to stimulate the senses in your garden is by opting for bright and bold flowers with interesting shapes, like purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) and mauve allium pompoms.

Choosing flowers that attract butterflies and attract bees to the garden adds another visual dimension as well as the soothing sound of lazy buzzing.

What sensory garden plants are good for autism?

Sensory garden plants that you might choose if a child is autistic include sunflowers, bamboo, silver sage, and sweet pea, according to Living Autism , which provides assistance with finding autism services, advice and support.

In general, opt for plants with different colors, textures, fragrances, and tastes, and consider elements such as water features and wind chimes, too.

Lifestyle journalist Sarah Wilson has been writing about gardens since 2015. She's written for Gardeningetc.com, Livingetc, Homes & Gardens, Easy Gardens and Modern Gardens magazines. Her first job on glossy magazines was at Elle, during which time a visit to the legendary La Colombe d'Or in St-Paul-de-Vence led to an interest in all things gardening. Later as lifestyle editor at Country Homes & Interiors magazine the real pull was the run of captivating country gardens that were featured.

Sensory gardens. Placement of plants in sensory gardens.

Gardens in a country house are practically the norm in our country, but many do not even realize that gardens are created not only to produce tasty and healthy fruits, but also to enhance various human senses. Such gardens are called sensory gardens. The main function of sensory gardens is the optimal selection of plants, various artificial landscape design objects and other elements that contribute to a sharper perception of the surrounding world.

As a rule, there are sensory gardens designed only to enhance one of the senses. For example, to sharpen the sense of smell, gardens are created with a large number of contrasting aromas. But there are also such gardens, where there are several special sections for each of the senses at once. There is also a variant of the sensory garden, where there are a large number of external stimuli of all human senses, in such a place a person feels most comfortable and peaceful.

A well-planned sensory garden can combine a number of useful functions. Sensory gardens are used for educational purposes, adaptation projects, meditation sessions. When creating sensory gardens for the healing of people with disabilities, emphasis is placed on a certain sense organ, for this there are both private sections in such gardens, and complex ones for free communication of visitors. The construction of such gardens is most appropriate for medical, therapeutic, educational institutions and, of course, in suburban areas.

The design of sensory gardens can be very diverse, but there are certain design trends that unite all sites of this type.

It's no secret that one of the fundamental elements of the sensory garden is artificial design structures. In the open spaces of the garden, a variety of materials are used for laying garden paths: stones, wooden blocks, sand embankments, lawn with different cover heights, small pebbles, and so on. The recommended width of the path is at least 70 cm, and when designing a garden for people with musculoskeletal disorders, at least half a meter.

Flowerbeds on pedestals of various heights are used for ease of access for visitors with organic capabilities, as well as for people with low vision. Flowerbeds placed on the ground are perfect for inquisitive children. Places for relaxation in the sensory garden should be placed, trying to optimally surround the visitor with the tranquility and fragrance of plants. As a “seat”, it is best to use natural material with natural irregularities, which will also help to exacerbate a person’s feelings.

In order to have a more colorful sensory garden experience, it is recommended that visitors install various informative prompts and signs. For example, near certain plants, place leaflets with information about which particular organs of perception are “activated” in this case. Such clues encourage the visitor to interact with nature. For visually impaired people, Braille can be used, or an electronic guide with a pleasant female voice can be installed. And for a more detailed study of the sensory garden, promotional products should be created with descriptions of all the most interesting places. It is desirable that on the first page of the booklet there is a map with a division into zones of influence of human feelings.

The selection of plants of various kinds also plays an important role in creating a sensory garden. The fundamental task of the sensory garden, as mentioned earlier, is to attract visitors to interact with nature. Therefore, for such gardens, it is unacceptable to choose fastidious plants that require chemical treatment, as well as plants with poisonous or allergic juice, as many visitors will touch them with their hands, and some will even taste them. Certain types of plants can combine several sensory functions, for example, mint leaves provide an opportunity for the manifestation of both smell and taste.

Representatives of the plant world, grouped according to certain criteria, for example, by color, by smell, by size, can leave very pleasant impressions for your guests. And a tea corner, organized in the depths of the sensory garden, will give unique coziness and comfort to visitors.

Roses, coltsfoot, mint, lilacs, dandelions, peonies, chrysanthemums, jasmine are excellent plants for sensory gardens. A certain novelty will be introduced by arborvitae, spruce, linden, fir, juniper, ornamental chestnut, as well as plants such as bamboo and eryngium.

Plants that can be tasted are recommended for sensory gardens, rhubarb is a very harmonious plant, rye, wheat are pleasant to the taste and fluffy to the touch. Peas, parsley, dill, strawberries - will allow you to perceive such a familiar taste from childhood in a new way.

❀ Sensory garden: therapy for the senses

Thinking about the functions of the garden, I would like to consider its therapeutic properties. A well-designed garden space can activate our vital senses - sight, smell, hearing, touch, taste - and thus have a beneficial effect on the psycho-emotional state, and therefore health. What is a sensory garden, what therapeutic properties does it have and how to create it on your site, read the article.

The environment constantly influences us, which is reflected in our emotional and, as a result, physical condition. We perceive information through the five senses that nature has endowed us with: sight, touch, hearing, smell and taste. They can awaken in us both positive memories and associations, and negative ones, influencing our subconscious from the outside. For example, if a complex life situation is associated with some aroma, taste or sound, then every time you hear it or feel the “flavor of the past”, the conditioned reflex will return you to a certain range of emotions and state of mind.

The task of the sensory garden is to stimulate pleasant sensations.

sensory garden

sensory garden gives impressions

The task of the sensory garden is to stimulate pleasant sensations, to sharpen the perception of all the senses or a particular group through plants and other natural materials harmoniously located in one space. For example, we already know about the existence and purpose of fragrant or fruit orchards. In the same way, you can create gardens in any color palette, each of which will evoke the necessary emotional state. Or fill the space with sounds and materials of various textures, which will also have a positive effect, which we will talk about below.

Who can benefit from the sensory garden

The sensory garden is widely used, but the main thing is the restoration of a harmonious psycho-emotional state of people with impaired one of the senses. Suppose a person has poor eyesight, then as compensation, other senses are sharpened and stimulated, which will help him complete the picture of the world to the fullest. However, for residents of the metropolis, especially for those who need rehabilitation after an illness or restoration of mental strength, a visit to such a garden will not be superfluous at all.

It is important to mention the great importance of the sensory garden in the development of young children. At an early age, the development of speech is closely related to the stimulation of fine motor skills of the hands. And this is explained by the fact that in the brain the speech and motor centers are located very close to each other. Therefore, when the motor skills of the fingers are stimulated, the speech center begins to activate. In the sensory garden, it is possible to surround the child with a variety of scents, colors, shapes, sounds and textures of plants that can be touched with fingers and tasted immediately. Thanks to these new sensations, neural connections are formed in the child's brain, which will give impetus to the development of the nervous system and intelligence.

sensory garden develops fine motor skills

sensory garden for the visually impaired

Basic blocks of the sensory garden

Vision. We live in a colorful world where colors are like food for our mood. Even in ancient times, Chinese healers tried to treat patients with scarlet fever by wearing red scarves. And in the 19th century, English scientists D. Down and G. Blunt proved that ultraviolet radiation has healing properties and can be used to treat skin diseases and rickets. In the modern world, the method of color treatment is called "color therapy", occupying a niche in alternative medicine and some methods of psychology. Each of us noticed the effect of color on mood. Choosing clothes in the morning, eating food of a certain color, we form the energy of the day, and this is not an accident. Each shade of the rainbow has its own meaning and influence on the psychophysical state. By choosing colors, you can achieve the desired therapeutic effect.

garden to stimulate the organ of vision

color therapy in the garden

● Green is the number one color for calming the nervous system, there is never too much of it and it is impossible to get tired of it. Achieving greenery in the garden is not difficult - it's a lawn, trees and shrubs.

● Blue and white - the colors of coolness, balance, peace. They have to stop and think about the meaning of life. Take a break from everyday life. Cool down.

● Red , orange and yellow shades will add energy, invigorate, not let you get bored, encouraging you to take action. The main thing is not to overdo it with a bright range, so as not to cause excessive aggression or overwork. By the way, the fruits of coffee are originally red. And, as we know, this drink invigorates and energizes. Who knows, maybe this is not a coincidence.

Each shade of the rainbow has its own meaning and influence on the psychophysical state.

In the sensory garden, you can use the palette to select plants in the right shade for flower beds, making bright accents and creating focal points. The shape and texture of plants also affect the stimulation of the visual organ. When creating compositions, remember that the eye needs to “hook” on something, focus on the center element, the viewpoint. What will it be? You decide.

garden singing winds

garden fountain

bird drinkers

Sounds. Our life is filled with sounds that cause certain response vibrations and body reactions in our body. If the sound is unpleasant, such as grinding on glass, the sound of a jackhammer or a siren, we react to it as stress, which entails accompanying unpleasant symptoms. Some sounds can not only relieve stress, but also heal the body from certain diseases. For example, it is a well-known fact that in the Middle Ages, during a plague epidemic, bells were rung. The ringing of the bell resonates with our body, as if adjusting to the sound frequency of the vessels, increasing the lymph flow and thereby inhibiting pathogenic bacteria by 40%. Sounds of a certain frequency, coming out at different intervals, are able to relax the muscles and get out of depression.

The sound world of the sensory garden enhances the experience and expands perception.

The world of sounds of the sensory garden enhances impressions and expands perception. It is not difficult to create beneficial sounds - this is the murmur of a stream, the sound of the wind, the rustle of leaves or the singing of birds and the buzzing of bees. It is enough to build an artificial stream in the garden, where birds and bees will flock to drink, as well as plant grasses waving in the wind, and the sound design of your sensory garden is ready! Enjoy the sounds of nature and harmonize for health.

sensory garden fruit shrubs

aromatic herb tea

Taste. It would seem, why do we need to stimulate taste buds, because everything is clear with them. There are four basic tastes that we can taste - bitter, sour, sweet and salty. However, the training of fine taste today is a vital necessity, as easily accessible food, the so-called fast food, drowns out our taste buds with synthetic additives. As a result, we have a hard time understanding the freshness and safety of the foods we consume, let alone tasting gourmet subtleties. And under stress or illness, taste buds can play a cruel joke with us and weaken or disappear altogether, which, you see, will make our life less bright.

A "delicious" garden will help you listen and feel the undertones and variety of flavors of fresh berries, herbs, salads, herbs and juicy vegetables. Include in such a garden only edible plants with different specific tastes. It will be useful to collect a set of plants from such a garden, for example, medicinal chamomile, mint, blackcurrant leaf, and brew fragrant tea, after crushing it in your hand, feeling the aroma and tasting fresh leaves. Sometimes this is a great opportunity to evoke memories and pleasant soothing associations.

fragrant garden

aroma brings memories

Smell. Fragrant gardens, where spicy-fragrant plants are grown, have recently become popular. The aromas of thyme, mint, lavender, rosemary and roses really help to relax, soothe a headache and create an atmosphere of relaxation. Many progressive companies have been using aromatherapy in their offices for a long time, increasing productivity and caring for the mental health of their employees. For example, the Japanese firm Sumitsu sprays the scents of healthy flowers and herbs as an energy boost for workers. Inhaling the aromas of lavender, jasmine or lemon, the body relaxes, and when stress is reduced, the likelihood of errors in work is reduced.

If fragrant plants are included in the sensory garden, then in the complex one can expect a more powerful effect, for example, the release of forgotten emotions driven into the most hidden corner of the soul. Modern man does not have time to listen to himself, to his feelings and desires. Very often in the race of everyday life, we do not notice how we suppress many emotions, among which are not the most pleasant, which as a result can lead to physical ailments. After all, our spirit is reflected in the body.

The world of smells is able to restore your peace of mind, awaken emotions and make you happy!

When designing the range of plants for the sensory garden fragrant block, take into account the activation of the smell of plants at certain times of the day. For example, mattiola or fragrant tobacco will fill the evening garden with aromas, and roses will fill the morning garden. Mowed lawn is especially fragrant after rain, and lavender will give off its strong aroma in the sun. The world of smells is able to restore your peace of mind, awaken emotions and make you happy!

rosemary sprigs

tactile garden for children

tree bark

Touch. Almost the main task of the sensory garden is a tactile function. In such a garden, you should want to touch the plants, feel their shapes and feel the surface. First of all, it will be useful for people with poor eyesight and for small children who are just learning to explore the world through tactile sensations.

The main condition for selecting plants for such a garden is the ability to touch them and safety.

Our fingers and hands are endowed with many receptors, acupuncture points, which are reflexively connected with other internal organs. Properly acting on the points on the hands, you can improve your overall health. Japanese doctors have long used this healing technique in their medical practice. You can get a range of tactile sensations in your own garden, in contact with plants. When touching smooth leaves, rough bark, fleshy, voluminous succulents or juniper needles, nerve endings at the fingertips are activated, which help us improve memory, cardiovascular activity, relax or increase vitality. The main condition for selecting plants for such a garden is the ability to touch them and safety. That is, the plant must be hardy, not suffer from touch and be safe for humans. It should not have sharp thorns and it should be non-poisonous.

sensory garden for the visually impaired

miniature sensory garden

sensory garden for children

Place the contact plant in an accessible place, for example, in a high container bed, so that it can be easily approached and examined close up without bending over.

Not only the hands can be stimulated, but also the soles of the feet. For this purpose, a good solution in the sensory garden would be to lay a lawn mixed with pebbles, filling of different fractions, wooden beams or wood chips. The feeling of different surfaces is very useful for the body and has a relaxing effect. Also used are garden accessories, garden sculptures, water fountains and fog installations that will add brightness to the sensations.

Urban sensory garden

Sensory garden at Chelsea 2013

Sensory garden planting chart

This sensory garden composition is suitable for a small suburban area. As you can see, the therapeutic corner takes up little space and can replace a relaxation area or playground for children. The sensory garden ideally includes all five blocks, stimulating all the senses.

The sensory garden ideally includes all five blocks, stimulating all the senses.

But you can also use separate components, if you wish. For example, in my landing scheme, I emphasized the stimulation of tactile, sound, aroma and taste buds. For color therapy, I have a separate place in the garden, filled with a wide variety of palettes. Although if we talk about the predominance of colors in the sensory zone of the garden, then I have a calm green-gray tone. So, let's go through the assortment of plants.

Assortment of plants and materials for the sensory garden

Center of composition

● Rocky juniper. A coniferous tree with a vertical crown of bluish-green color. The needles are needle-shaped, pleasant to the touch and smell.

● Horizontal Juniper Jade River. Creeping juniper, the surface of which resembles flowing water. The needles are scaly, pleasant to the touch. You can pick a branch, feel the aroma of pine needles.

● Perovsky. Fragrant perennial subshrub with lush lilac panicles. Blooms from June to August. It has a pleasant strawberry-sage aroma, the flowers can be used both in tea and as a condiment.

● Feather. Cereal with fluffy panicle. Swaying like waves, spikelets of feather grass create a bewitching spectacle. They can be ironed, wrinkled, without fear of damaging the plant.

● Garden fountain. Creates a pleasant murmuring atmosphere that you can not only listen to but also touch.

● Round bench. The shape of the bench allows you to arrange a view from any side of the garden. Wooden planks around the perimeter also play a tactile role.

● Lawn. Pleasant to the touch emerald grass, on which you can walk barefoot or sit, enjoying the nature around.

● Pebble. Excellent foot massaging material, safe and aesthetic.

multi-surface sensory garden

edible garden elements

Left wooden container

● Currant bush. An unpretentious fruit shrub with fragrant fruits and leaves that can be brewed into tea, giving it an oriental touch. You can simply touch the rough surface of the leaf, rub it in your hand to feel the characteristic currant aroma. For the development of fine motor skills of the child, it will be useful to collect berries, and then taste them.

● Lemon thyme. Has a distinct lime aroma and taste. Used as a condiment. Nice to touch and smell.

● Strawberry. Aromatic berries with a sweet and sour taste and the same fragrant leaves that can be added to tea. Easily grown in a container.

● Mint. A perennial herb with unique soothing properties. Can be used for food and tea.

● Common thyme. Medicinal-spicy subshrub with pubescent foliage and lilac fragrant flowers.

● Marigolds. Flowers contain biologically active substances that have antiviral and antifungal activity. Therefore, marigold petals are recommended to be added in small quantities to drinks. They help to activate the metabolism, cope with respiratory diseases and improve the digestive functions of the body. When touched, it exudes a pleasant pungent aroma.

● Basil. This spice for salads contains up to 1.5% essential oil, has a specific spicy-salty taste.

● Dill. It is used not only to add to salads and soups, but also as a medicinal spice to treat intestinal diseases, increase appetite and normalize metabolism. Essential oil, which is found in all parts of the plant, gives a special aroma to the grass.

examining the leaf surface

sensory garden cereals

herbs

Wooden container on the right

● Byzantine chives. Fluffy and soft to the touch, silvery leaves, popularly referred to as "hare" or "sheep ears", are incredibly pleasant to touch and stroke. In addition, they contain a large amount of vitamin C and essential oils.

● Hairy sedge. Pleasant to the touch thin soft drooping foliage of this ornamental grass really resembles hair. Suitable for growing in containers.

● Gray fescue. Lush dove-gray bush of a spherical shape with modified leaves, twisted into a thin tube, which makes them a little prickly. Inflorescences in the form of spikelets-panicles hovering over a tussock.

● Lavender. Semi-woody shrub consisting of numerous shoots with dove felt leaves and fragrant spicy branded lilac inflorescences. Lavender needs no introduction to its healing qualities. It is used in many areas - in cooking, cosmetology and aromatherapy.

● Styloid bryozoan. Something between moss and grass. Low, creeping shoots well adjacent to the ground form emerald springy pillows no more than 8 cm high. The stems are soft, so if you step on or press on them, they will not break. Feel completely relaxed!

● Stonecrop. Forms a low carpet of numerous thin fleshy shoots that rise above the ground hardly more than 10 cm.

● Yucca filamentata. This species has practically no stem. Pointed bluish-green leaves, on the edges of which are thin white threads.

● Miscanthus. A very powerful spreading grass, reaching a height of 3 m. It has wide, up to 2.5 cm, shiny foliage, panicle flowers of a pink hue, gradually changing to silver. When the wind sways and creates a calming, pleasant sound effect.

● Reed. Perennial herb with erect strong tall stems, narrow green leaves and golden panicle inflorescences. Rugged and beautiful even in winter.

Experiment, rejoice and fill your life with the brightest sensations!

Delving deeper into the topic of gardening, I want to be more conscious in planning a garden and choosing plants. Proper use of the most common and affordable plants will not only improve your state of mind, but also save time on expensive procedures.

Sensory gardens plants

Creating a Sensory Garden

What Is a Sensory Garden?

Appealing to Sight

Cockscomb

Garden Pinks

Garden Zinnia

Purple Coneflower

Rose mallow

Sunflower

Appealing to Smell

Anise Hyssop

Creeping Thyme

Catmint

Daffodil

Hyacinth

Lily-of-the-Valley

Appealing to Hearing

Balloon flower

False indigo

Pigsqueak

Switchgrass

Appealing to Taste

Chives

Nasturtium

Appealing to Touch

Lambs’ ears

Satiny Wormwood

Wooly Thyme

There’s More to a Sensory Garden than Just Plants!

Related Topics

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the 10 best to grow in your garden |

Sensory garden plants

1. Curry plant (Helichrysum italicum)

2. Anethum graveolens (dill)

3. Camomile

4. Lamb’s ears (Stachys byzantina)

5. Buddleia

6. Lavender

7. Mock orange (Philadelphus)

8. Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

9. Alliums

10. Bamboo

What plants do you put in a sensory garden?

What sensory garden plants are good for autism?

Sensory gardens. Placement of plants in sensory gardens.

❀ Sensory garden: therapy for the senses

Who can benefit from the sensory garden

Basic blocks of the sensory garden

Sensory garden planting chart

Assortment of plants and materials for the sensory garden

Learn more