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| Tetratheca thymifolia |
Having proven therapeutic value, sensory gardens can provide lovely places to relax, meditate, reflect, talk or just contemplate...contributing to our overall wellbeing. They can also provide the elderly and people with disabilities opportunities to enjoy nature in a safe environment.
With only a little effort, you can create sensory bliss in your garden!
Design and planting ideas
A soothing effect can be created with enticing scents, flowers and a variety of textures, shapes and shades of green - green being such a soothing colour.
Include herbs that can be smelt or eaten, brightly coloured shrubs and perennials along with native grasses with interesting flower heads.
Provide year round fragrance in the garden by selecting a combination of plants which produce scented blooms at different times of the year. Bird-attracting species are a must, for the song generated in the garden can bring pure joy!
Dusty daisy bush (Olearia phlogopappa) has masses of strongly scented flower heads (white, pink, blue or mauve) in spring; and the Bulbine lily, Bulbine bulbosa, for spring through summer. A perennial lily with very attractive yellow flower stems above its long fleshy leaves, which are a great chive substitute.
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| Bulbine bulbosa |
Geraniums, prostanthera (native mint bush), and many herbs provide fragrant foliage and are a sensory delight when brushing past or walking on them. Let them ramble a little over and amongst pathways to get the full effect.
Rock correa (Correa glabra), a fast growing medium sized shrub with citrus scented foliage would be ideal. An added bonus is its nectar rich, bird-attracting blooms from summer’s end through to spring. It adapts to most soils.
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| Correa glabra |
Prostanthera rotundifolia, the Roundleaf mint bush, grows to about two meters, has wonderful lilac to purple flowers (attracting birds) and mint scented foliage. Perfect for a sheltered, moist position.
Leptospermum petersonii, one of the lemon-scented tea trees, releases a beautiful aroma when the leaves are crushed and has lovely delicate white flowers (with hints of pink and green) and bright, green foliage.
The native geranium, Pelargonium australe, has that fantastic geranium scented foliage, but also provides colour in a winter garden. Very hardy with pink flowers and foliage which changes colour with the seasons.
Leaves that rustle in the breeze are another stimulating addition to a sensory garden, appealing to our sense of hearing. Trees such as the Black she oak (Allocasuarina littoralis), which can be tip-pruned early to ensure a tighter, more compact habit, and the light and airy Acacia cognata varieties. Plant them along pathways for visitors to skim as they walk by.
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| Acacia cognata 'Green Mist' |
Vary the texture of foliage, stems and fruit from rough, such as the Black she oak fruit, to the smooth bark of gum trees such as new varieties of Eucalyptus sp., more suited in size to our gardens. Vary lower growing texture with the sharp foliage of Lomandra and Diplarrena, to the soft, velvety leaves of Plectranthus, lamb’s ears.
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| Plectranthus argentatus |
Include edible plants such as herbs and some vegetables in your garden. Rosemary provides year round interest, while the favourite combination of cherry tomatoes and basil are easy to grow and a real treat in summer! Compliment these with natives such as species of Dianella, which have edible fruit, are very drought tolerant and adaptable to a range of conditions. For edible flowers, try Viola hederaceae, the Wild violet, or Wahlenbergia sp. (Bluebells). Why not include them in a salad?
Provide interest when selecting ground surfacing materials. Gravel for paths varies the texture from smooth hard surfaces used around seating, or a water feature.
Always consider the health and safety of those using your garden, especially in children’s gardens. Avoid toxic plants as well as those that aggravate allergies or have sharp prickles and thorns.
After a some planning and a little effort , it’s time to sit back and savour your surroundings...with ALL your senses!
