A sensory garden is a space specially designed to stimulate all of our senses: sight, smell, touch, hearing and even taste. Creating such a garden can transform your outdoor space into a haven of peace and well-being.
Here's how to design a garden that will delight your senses with fragrant plants, varied textures, calming sounds and vibrant colors.
The Sight: Vibrant Colors and Attractive Shapes 🎨👁️
Choice of Plants:
- Colorful flowers: Use flowers in bright, varied colors like tulips, dahlias, daisies and hibiscus. Continuous flowering plants, like rose bushes, add color throughout the season.
- Decorative foliage plants: Japanese maples, heucheras and hostas offer beautiful foliage with color variations ranging from purple to bright green.
Layout:
- Winding pathways: Create curving paths to catch the eye and invite exploration.
- Decorative Elements: Incorporate sculptures, colorful flower pots, and trellises to add visual points of interest.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0604/6577/4832/files/DALL_E_2024-06-18_22.27.53_-_A_vibrant_garden_showcasing_an_array_of_colorful_flowers_and_decorative_foliage._The_scene_includes_vivid_tulips_dahlias_daisies_and_hibiscus_flowe_480x480.webp?v=1718746149)
Smell: Bewitching Perfumes 🌺👃
Choice of Plants:
- Scented Plants: Lavender, roses, jasmine, and honeysuckle are perfect choices for filling your garden with enchanting scents.
- Herbs: Plant herbs like thyme, mint, basil and sage, which give off pleasant aromas when touched.
Layout:
- Plants near seating areas: Place fragrant plants near benches, patios and paths so their scents are easily appreciated.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0604/6577/4832/files/DALL_E_2024-06-18_22.29.15_-_A_beautiful_garden_filled_with_fragrant_plants._The_scene_includes_lavender_roses_jasmine_and_honeysuckle_flowers._There_are_also_aromatic_herbs_li_480x480.webp?v=1718746216)
Touch: Varied Textures 🌿✋
Choice of Plants:
- Textured Plants: Incorporate plants with interesting textures like agaves, lambs ears, ferns and sedums.
- Soft Plants: Herbs like stipa (angel hair grass) and soft bushes like sagebrush (Salvia) provide a soft-touch texture.
Layout:
- Paths of different textures: Create paths using different materials like gravel, wood, and stone slabs for a varied tactile experience underfoot.
- Tactile spaces: Set up areas where touching and interacting with plants is permitted.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0604/6577/4832/files/DALL_E_2024-06-18_22.29.57_-_A_garden_designed_to_stimulate_the_sense_of_touch_with_a_variety_of_textured_plants_and_pathways._The_scene_includes_plants_with_interesting_textures_480x480.webp?v=1718746270)
Hearing: Soothing Sounds 🌳👂
Natural Elements:
- Russling Plants: Bamboos, grasses, and banana leaves add calming sounds when stirred by the wind.
- Birds and insects: Attract birds with feeders and nest boxes, and plant flowers that attract bees and butterflies.
Artificial Elements:
- Fountains and ponds: Adding a fountain or small pond creates a relaxing sound of flowing water.
- Wind Chimes: Hang wind chimes to add a gentle melody when it's windy.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0604/6577/4832/files/DALL_E_2024-06-18_22.38.27_-_A_serene_garden_designed_to_stimulate_the_sense_of_hearing_with_soothing_sounds._The_scene_includes_natural_elements_such_as_rustling_bamboo_grasses_480x480.webp?v=1718746776)
Taste: Edible Plants 🍓👅
Choice of Plants:
- Herbs and vegetables: Grow herbs like basil, parsley and mint, as well as vegetables like cherry tomatoes, strawberries and peppers.
- Edible Flowers: Pansies, nasturtiums and marigolds can be added to salads for a colorful and tasty touch.
Layout:
- Vegetable Gardens and Raised Beds: Use vegetable gardens or raised beds to grow edible plants within easy reach.
- Herb Garden: Create an herb garden near the kitchen or patio for easy use in your recipes.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0604/6577/4832/files/DALL_E_2024-06-18_22.41.10_-_A_vibrant_garden_designed_to_stimulate_the_sense_of_taste_with_a_variety_of_edible_plants._The_scene_includes_herbs_like_basil_parsley_and_mint_as_480x480.webp?v=1718746928)
A sensory garden is more than just a green space. It is an oasis for the senses, where every sight, smell, texture, sound and taste contributes to creating a harmonious and calming experience. By carefully choosing plants and integrating various elements, you can transform your garden into a place of relaxation and enjoyment for the whole family. 🌸👃👂
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