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A sensory garden stimulates the use of the five senses. Plant material selected for therapeutic potential should provide a stimulus for enjoyment, be multipurpose in nature, have scented and interesting textural differences, provide for seasonal change and display brightly coloured flowers, fruits and foliage.
Smell:
People with a visual impairment can benefit from fragrant and aromatic flowers, fruits, interesting leaf textures and bark as it extends their range of sensitivities. Some plants yield their foliage or flower fragrance on a gentle breeze or by the heat of the sun. Scented plants not only provide a pleasant smell when rubbed, but it also allows for plant recognition.
Suitable Plants
Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile): sweet-smelling lawn of flowers
Meadowseet (Filipendula ulmaria): almond-smelling flowers
Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum): fragrant pink and yellow flowers
Lavender (Lavendula spica): flowers are dried for making perfume and lavender bags
Ramsons (Allium ursinum): also known as wild garlic, strong onion smell in spring
Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria): the flowers smell of apricots
Tansy (Chrysanthemum/Tanacetum vulgare): highly aromatic herb, effective insect repellent
Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis): exotic flower with a lovely evening fragrance
Camomile lawn - Scented and soft underfoot.
Lemon verbena - Sharp citrus scent.
Wild ferns - Soft green woodland scent.
Thymes - Aromatic leaves and pink flowers
Touch:
Plants which provide interesting tactile features include: autumn leaves, seeds, plants such as lambs ears. The large shiny leaf of the magnolia grandiflora or the rough texture of borage leaves provide differing experiences.
Suitable Plants
Stonecrop (Sedum album): thick fleshy leaves used to store water throughout drought
Hedge woundwort (Stachys sylvatica): hairy leaves
Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum): large spiny seed heads
Lamb’s ear (Stachys byzantina): soft, furry leaves
Cowslip (Primula veris): slightly hairy leaves
Taste:
Taste is another sensation that can be stimulated through careful selection and placement of plant material. A vegetable or herb garden can promote a sense of accomplishment and confidence and can be used in cooking.
Suitable Plants
Marjoram (Origanum vulgare): used for seasoning in cooking, mild flavour
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis): highly fragrant leaves, used to flavour meat and fish
Fennel (Fennel vulgare): strong anise smell and flavour
Salad burnet (Sanguisorba minor): young leaves can be used in salads
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum): pick young leaves for salads etc.
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus): tasty peppery orange and yellow flowers
Wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca): small sweet fruit
Alpine strawberries - Fruity taste.
Sound:
Sounds can be used for orientation, social contact, learning and relaxation. Sounds can be introduced through running water, waterfalls and windchimes, bird attracting plants, bird baths, walking through autumn leaves, wind in the trees and other sounds heard while sitting in the garden such as sprinklers.
For good garden audio, plant grasses and listen as the wind rustles through. Plants that attract bees are also great to give your sound garden a summer buzz.
Suitable Plants
Quaking grass (Briza media): attractive shaking seed heads
Wild oats (Avena sativa): another rustling plant
Aspen (Populas tremula): delicate quivering foliage
Yellow rattle (Rhinanthus minor): rattling seed heads
Canterbury bell (Campanula medium): great plant for buzzing bees
Wind chimes - Delicate sound of bells.
Waterfall - Soft, cooling sound of water.
Bowles golden grass - Windblown colour with rustling sound.
Sight:
A well designed garden can give much visual pleasure and make a person feel relaxed and peaceful.
Subtle gradations of colour are calming while bright colours will stimulate and often cheer people up. Colour contract in foliage can be appreciated by people with limited vision.
Plants selected for their flower or foliage qualities for picking are very useful for horticultural therapy programs.
Suitable Plants
Corn marigold (Chrysanthemum segetum): bold yellow flowers
Scentlesss mayweed (Tripleurospermum maritimum/Matricaria inodora): yellow and white flowers
Poppies (Papaver rhoeas): bright red blooms
Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus): bright blue blooms
Californian poppy (Eschscholzia californica): bright yellow and orange flowers |
