Please Touch and More: 5 Elements of a Sensory Garden
Get ideas for designing a garden that engages all the senses
Marianne Lipanovich
28 May 2017
Houzz Contributor. I'm a California-based writer and editor. While most of my projects are garden-based, you might also find me writing about home projects and classical music. Away from the computer, I'm found in the garden (naturally), on my bike, or ice-skating outdoors (yes, that is possible in California). I'm also willing to taste-test anything that's chocolate.
Houzz Contributor. I'm a California-based writer and editor. While most of my projects... More
The concept of a sensory garden may have gotten its start as a way to open up gardening to those with special needs, but it turns out that a garden that appeals to all five of our senses is pleasurable for everyone. Creating your own sensory garden, whether you incorporate your entire yard or just carve out a separate space, allows you to enjoy its benefits anytime you want.
Many of the plants that are recommended for a sensory garden also work well in a variety of landscape designs. Some can even do double duty. Ornamental grasses appeal to your senses of hearing and touch. Edibles are often bright and, of course, they appeal to your sense of taste. Some flowers are bright, fragrant and edible. And then there’s the sunflower’s bright color and edible seeds that bring birds, and their accompanying song, into the garden.
When choosing plants for your landscape, look for those that appeal to a number of your senses.
When choosing plants for your landscape, look for those that appeal to a number of your senses.
Foliage colors and shapes add variety to a water-wise garden.
1. A Sight to See
The primary sense that a garden engages is sight. Flowering plants are the obvious jumping-off point, thanks to the almost endless range of colors you can find in annuals, perennials, flowering shrubs and bushes.
Look at foliage as another way to add a visual element to your garden. Succulents in particular can provide a broad range of colors, from shades of green to blues, yellows and oranges. Many shade-loving perennials are also known for their bright foliage.
Browse more plants known for their foliage | Create a colorful flower bed
1. A Sight to See
The primary sense that a garden engages is sight. Flowering plants are the obvious jumping-off point, thanks to the almost endless range of colors you can find in annuals, perennials, flowering shrubs and bushes.
Look at foliage as another way to add a visual element to your garden. Succulents in particular can provide a broad range of colors, from shades of green to blues, yellows and oranges. Many shade-loving perennials are also known for their bright foliage.
Browse more plants known for their foliage | Create a colorful flower bed
Trees, especially those that turn spectacular hues, can add color to a garden. Fall is the time when most of them really shine, but some, such as Japanese maples, add a spark of color at other times of the year.
Your plants don’t need to be the only elements that add color to your landscape. Colorful hardscape elements can do that as well, such as this red zigzag boardwalk.
Common lilac
2. A Fragrant Space
Flowers and fragrance are a natural match, so creating a garden that perfumes the air is probably just as high on your priority list as creating one that is beautiful to look at.
Allergy note: Flowering plants often aren’t the cause of allergies. Learn more about what to plant if you have allergies
2. A Fragrant Space
Flowers and fragrance are a natural match, so creating a garden that perfumes the air is probably just as high on your priority list as creating one that is beautiful to look at.
Allergy note: Flowering plants often aren’t the cause of allergies. Learn more about what to plant if you have allergies
Geranium
Some plants, such as scented geraniums, rosemary and other herbs, especially mint, don’t release their scent until you brush against their leaves or crush them. Plant these in spots where you’ll naturally come in contact with them — or will be tempted to reach out to them.
Discover more scented plants
Some plants, such as scented geraniums, rosemary and other herbs, especially mint, don’t release their scent until you brush against their leaves or crush them. Plant these in spots where you’ll naturally come in contact with them — or will be tempted to reach out to them.
Discover more scented plants
3. Plants That Make Sounds
The sounds may be subtle at times, but your garden will talk to you, especially when it’s windy. Ornamental grasses, especially feather reed grass, silver grass and quaking grass, naturally rustle in the wind, as do the leaves of paper birch trees and quaking aspens. Corn too can be surprisingly vocal when it’s growing.
Occasionally, it’s the seeds that can be loud. Lupine and wisteria scatter seeds by shooting them out of the seedpods, and the sounds of those seeds hitting the ground, or other objects, can be quite explosive.
The sounds may be subtle at times, but your garden will talk to you, especially when it’s windy. Ornamental grasses, especially feather reed grass, silver grass and quaking grass, naturally rustle in the wind, as do the leaves of paper birch trees and quaking aspens. Corn too can be surprisingly vocal when it’s growing.
Occasionally, it’s the seeds that can be loud. Lupine and wisteria scatter seeds by shooting them out of the seedpods, and the sounds of those seeds hitting the ground, or other objects, can be quite explosive.
The sound of water, whether from a fountain, a stream or a pond, provides a tranquil background in any garden.
New Ways to Design With Water
New Ways to Design With Water
Thoughtfully placed wind chimes are another option for adding some sound to your space. Finally, choose plants that will attract birds. You’ll be able to enjoy their songs while you relax.
Learn more about adding sounds to your garden
Learn more about adding sounds to your garden
‘Karley Rose’ Oriental fountain grass
4. What to Touch
Some plants you just can’t help but reach out and touch. Dusty miller, fountain grass, lamb’s ears, Jerusalem sage and common yarrow are all known for their soft leaves or flowers.
4. What to Touch
Some plants you just can’t help but reach out and touch. Dusty miller, fountain grass, lamb’s ears, Jerusalem sage and common yarrow are all known for their soft leaves or flowers.
Don’t limit yourself to plants you can easily reach while standing or sitting to add some touchable elements to your garden. Moss, whether in the landscape or in a container, invites you to run your hands over it.
5. Tasty Treats
Adding edibles is the obvious choice for appealing to your sense of taste. Your choices are almost limitless, as almost any edible plant can be tucked into a landscape. Herbs are also at home in the landscape, especially rosemary, which often doubles as a drought-tolerant flowering perennial.
Adding edibles is the obvious choice for appealing to your sense of taste. Your choices are almost limitless, as almost any edible plant can be tucked into a landscape. Herbs are also at home in the landscape, especially rosemary, which often doubles as a drought-tolerant flowering perennial.
Fruit trees and berries are an obvious choice to add height and flavor. Also, don’t overlook edible flowers, such as lavender, nasturtiums, pansies, roses and stock.
Make a Path
Creating a path to and through your sensory garden is also key. Use stone, gravel or wood to add another element that appeals to the senses.
Creating a path to and through your sensory garden is also key. Use stone, gravel or wood to add another element that appeals to the senses.
Sit and Relax
Finally, add a spot where you can enjoy your garden with all of your senses.
More
Springtime Gardening: Begin by Listening to Trees
Unwind in Your Own Private Garden Escape
17 Wandering Paths That Take Joy in the Journey
Finally, add a spot where you can enjoy your garden with all of your senses.
More
Springtime Gardening: Begin by Listening to Trees
Unwind in Your Own Private Garden Escape
17 Wandering Paths That Take Joy in the Journey
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Very Very Pretty
I love these garden ideas and the cool plant ideas. And by the way I love windchimes and waterfalls, really anything that helps calms you down. T he smells of flowers and water!