Gardening is good for the mind, body and spirit. Did you know you can enhance your garden by incorporating elements that engage all five senses? Creating a sensory garden is great for children and adults to enjoy nature on a deeper level.

Sight

When planning your garden think beyond just the flowers and plants you will use. Think of the way the light hits your garden and creates shadows, or the wind blows to create movement. Use warm colors like reds, oranges and yellows to promote energy or cool colors like blues, purple and white to promote restfulness and tranquility.

Balance your garden with a mixture of colors and textures to increase the visual appeal. Or use other elements like gazing globes, sculptures and garden stakes for added interest.  Use plants with a variety of bloom times to have continuous color in your garden.

For a rainbow of colors consider plants like Bleeding Hearts, Butterfly Weed, Coneflower, Cockscomb, Delphinium, Zinnias and Sunflowers.

Sound

Nothing is more tranquil than the sounds of nature to quiet the mind. You can increase the variety of sounds in your garden by adding different elements of naturally occurring sounds. Add a bird feeder or birdbath to increase bird activity. Use a fountain for the drip or trickling of water, or a wind chime so you can hear the wind. Consider nature’s sounds as well: Leaves crunching and the wind through ornamental grass.

Plants that make sound include False Indigo, Switchgrass, and Balloon Flower.

Touch

Think texture when creating a touch-friendly sensory garden. Try plants that are soft, fuzzy, rough, prickly, and springy. Use smooth and rough stones around the garden for touching.

Yarrow, Yucca, Hens and Chicks, Feather Reed Grass, Irish Moss, Wooly Thyme and Lamb’s Ear are all great choices.

Smell

Plan your garden for both subtle and strong smells. Think of those plants that you have to smell directly by sticking your nose in and those you can smell indirectly when walking by. Spread out your most fragrant plants so you don’t overwhelm the nose. Use aromatic groundcovers like creeping thyme, while mixing in roses, lilac, hyacinths, jasmine and lavender for a mixture of fragrance.

Taste

Explore taste in your garden by adding edible flowers, fruits, vegetables and herbs. Choose non-toxic flowers like violets and pansies, for a wintergreen flavor. Bee Balm for a citrusy flavor, and Allium blooms for an onion flavor. Mix in vegetables, fruits, and herbs to enhance your kitchen and your gardening experience.

Sensory gardens are a calming way to explore nature and enjoy the world around you. For more information on starting a sensory garden, visit any English Gardens location and talk with an expert.