What is a sensory garden? A sensory garden is an outdoor space designed specifically to amplify all five senses: sight, smell, touch, taste, and sound to provide maximum and appropriate sensory stimulation. This is a carefully curated group of plants and accessories that can be themed, divided into sections, or presented as a whole. A typical garden can stimulate our senses too, but a sensory garden uses plants and hardscaping to create an immersive experience and these aspects provide opportunities for colour and texture and places to play or simply relax. Materials for the path surfaces can vary in size and shape throughout the garden and change depending on the accessibility and sensory needs of those using the space. First and foremost when choosing plants for sensory gardens, it is imperative that you choose plants that will thrive in your garden region. Native plants are great because they are use to the environment, are less susceptible to disease, and are generally lower maintenance than other non-native plants. Next, include plants and other things that entice the senses. Sound Include plants that encourage wildlife in the garden. The buzzing of a bee, the chirping of a cricket or bird singsong all stimulates the sense of hearing. Wind can offer sounds in many plants like bamboo stems, corn and grasses knocking and rustling together. Leaving dried leaves on a path allows for crushing and crunching when walked upon. Chimes and running water can also add sound to your garden. Touch There is no shortage of plants that offer interesting textures, perfect for encouraging the sense of touch. It is possible to incorporate many different textures into the garden by including soft flowers, fuzzy leaves, springy moss, rough bark, succulent leaves, and prickly seed pods. Various herbs also have great texture along with their smell. Some suggestions include snapdragons, succulents, and bottle brush varieties. Choose hardy varieties of plants that can cope with handling. Place delicate flowers and plants in hard-to-reach places. Place plants and trees close to walkways so children walking along the path may be brushed by foliage. Intersperse rocks, wood, fabric or toys of different size, shape and texture. Consider a variety of places for the children to walk and move. Paths and defined areas may have different types of surfaces such as sand, flagstone, wood chips, pebbles. – as well as a variety of inclines, steps, etc. Walking barefoot on different textures can be another way to be mindful and interact with your sense of touch. Smell Most sensory gardens are full of mingling aromas that entice a wide range of emotions. Highly aromatic plants, such as the sweet smelling gardenia, jasmine sweet peas, and herbs and spices provide ample opportunity for stimulation. For example you could include: lavender, rosemary, sage, lemon balm, peppermint and thyme. By planting along pathways many of these type of plants will release their aroma when walked or wheeled on. Sight Adding visual interest to a sensory garden can be achieved by using plants with varying habits such as those that creep, climb, trail, bush, or stand upright. Incorporating plants with different bloom, leaf, bark, stems and Sensory Gardens December 2022 { 36 }
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