The purpose of incorporating sensory backyard concepts in your house is to supply an outside space which interacts with all 5 senses: sight, sound, scent, contact and style. Participating with what our senses are experiencing is without doubt one of the key rules of mindfulness.
The therapeutic parts of a sensory backyard will be constructed into your backyard design whatever the measurement of your house. It may assist to supply a relaxing haven, which permits us to focus our senses and due to this fact our minds, selling a way of well-being and the sensation of being at one with nature and our environment.
“In right now’s hectic world, our gardens are extra than simply aesthetic areas; they’re sanctuaries that floor us, evoking a way of calmness and tranquillity away from the hustle and bustle of busy fashionable life,” says plantswoman Sarah Raven.
Sensory gardens are glorious for folks with disabilities, comparable to autism, as they act as a spot of refuge,” provides Ali Wooldridge, co-founder of Gardenesque.
Create a aware outside house with these sensory backyard concepts
“You’ll be able to create a sensory backyard with any measurement house, whether or not you could have a small backyard or a sprawling house. The secret is to include completely different textures, plentiful colors, and crops that can entice backyard birds and different wildlife,” says Sarah Raven.
“Making a diversified planting scheme in your backyard landscaping that can have interaction all of the senses is a good place to start out, paying shut consideration to sight, look, contact, scent and style,” says Sarah.
1. Plant vibrant flowers for sight
Vibrant planting with contrasting types will draw the attention(Picture credit score: Leigh Clapp)
BBC Gardeners’ World presenter and gardening professional at Stannah, Mark Lane begins by explaining the significance of color in a sensory backyard.
“Introducing color into the backyard will assist with parts like visible enchantment, texture, form and type. Choose mounds and spires when placing crops collectively.
“Use scorching colors, comparable to purple, orange and brilliant yellow, to elevate your temper, or go for shades like blue, pink, smooth yellow and white to calm and chill out you. With lack of eyesight, brighter colors would possibly have to be thought-about, or contrasting colors used to outline areas, backyard edging or overhanging crops,” provides Mark.
Mark Lane
Stannah’s gardening professional, multitalented gardening professional and writer, he’s broadly identified for presenting BBC Morning Reside and BBC Gardeners’ World. Mark has earned many awards, together with the ‘first backyard designer in a wheelchair’.
2. Develop aromatic blooms for scent
Do not go for too many contrasting scents to keep away from overwhelming the senses(Picture credit score: Future)
Perfume is vital in sensory backyard concepts, notably for people with sight issues. Mark Lane mentions that scent is without doubt one of the necessary senses that may additionally assist with reminiscence loss and dementia.
“Childhood recollections or sure scents can assist spark the neurons within the mind. The aroma of rosemary can decrease the stress hormone cortisol in your blood, improve reminiscence high quality, and improve psychological alertness. Rosemary properties may even stop and gradual Alzheimer’s,” says Mark.
He advocates utilizing scent as a marker all through the backyard; “for instance, patio planting concepts like sweetly scented honeysuckle by the again door will let you know that you’re close to the home (it will want a sunny spot and shelter from winds to thrive), whereas strongly scented jasmine or rose in the back of the backyard will inform your location within the backyard.”
It’s doable to overdo scent in a backyard, so Mark means that we try to choose scented flowers with both related or contrasting scents and keep away from having them come out all concurrently.
“Spring-flowering aromatic crops comparable to daphne will likely be changed by summer-flowering scented crops like lathyrus, which in flip will likely be replenished by autumn- and winter-flowering fragrant crops like Viburnum,” says Mark.
Finest crops for sensory gardens
Briza maxima (Larger Quaking Grass)
The drop-like inexperienced flowers on this grass selection will catch the sunshine superbly. Develop it in full solar in well-drained soil.
Viburnum × Burkwoodii | Burkwood Viburnum
Fantastically aromatic flowers will explode in spring, to be adopted by wonderful evergreen foliage later within the 12 months. Plant it in full solar or partial shade for a good-sized shrub ideally suited for a border.
Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Prostratus Group’
This number of the aromatic herb has a spreading behavior making it ideally suited for softening edges of a border. Its delicate blue flowers will emerge in spring and can add to its enchantment.
3. Play with wind or water for sound
The sound of water will ensnare the senses and entice wildlife to your backyard(Picture credit score: Future / Jacky Hobbs)
Sound is an usually unforgotten part in a backyard, however one which is essential to a sensory backyard.
There are a number of methods in which you’ll be able to introduce refined sounds to your backyard. Mark Lane suggests decorative grasses, bamboo and open-structured timber sound wonderful, rustling within the wind, whereas water options will likely be auditory from all backyard areas.
“Select a gently trickling water characteristic for a zen, calming house or a gushing spout for an energised house. Wind chimes may add sound to the backyard. By making a biodiverse and eco-friendly backyard, additionally, you will entice musical wildlife, from the buzzing of pollinators and birdsong,” says Mark.
4. Plant herbs and vegetable patches to reinforce style
Edibles will be decorative and sensible additions to planting(Picture credit score: Bellephoto / Alamy Inventory Photograph)
“Herbs, greens and fruit will entice the style buds. Use herbs near seating areas or by the again door for ease, like curry plant (Helichrysum italicum), lavender, oregano, rosemary or sage,” says Mark Lane.
“Alpine strawberries can be utilized as groundcover in sensory gardens. Not solely will they flower, however they may also produce candy fruit and maintain the weeds down. Including a vegetable patch or creating espaliered fruit timber up partitions and backyard fences will make a feast for the eyes and the abdomen,” says Mark.
5. Or incorporate edibles into your planting
On this backyard designed by Alan Williams, massive brass planters and picket crates are planted with rosemary, alliums, achillea and catmint. Purple kale will be discovered at floor stage(Picture credit score: Future / Jacky Hobbs)
Separate vegetable backyard areas are largely house dependent, however extra just lately, panorama designers, comparable to Alan Williams on the RHS Chelsea Flower Present 2021, have proven us that edibles can ship on a lot extra than simply style.
“Interplanting edibles amongst ornamentals will make it easier to set up an plentiful sensory backyard. I’d suggest a mix of mustard ‘Purple Frills’, kale ‘Curly Scarlet’, radishes, and French sorrel,” says Sarah Raven.
“The sturdy, zingy lemon style of French sorrel is one in every of my all-time favourites and a must have for including to salads and dressings,” says Sarah.
Sarah Raven
Sarah’s love of gardening extends to all areas, from rising lower flowers and scrumptious greens from seed, to designing beautiful gardens packed filled with selection, color and scent. At all times with a give attention to serving to the atmosphere and biodiversity, Sarah’s gardens are havens for birds, bees and different pollinators.
6. Construct textured surfaces for contact
The Nationwide Autistic Society Backyard designed by Sophie Parmenter and Dido Milne for the 2024 RHS Chelsea Flower present(Picture credit score: Tammy Marlar)
Texture in a backyard refers each to planting and onerous landscaping supplies. “Take into consideration the supplies you need to use on pathways to create completely different textured backyard path surfaces. Low upkeep gravel backyard concepts will create crunch underfoot, thrilling the auditory senses whereas visually contrasting with turf and planting,” says Mark Lane.
“Pure stone will likely be clean to stroll and sit on, whereas picket buildings like pergolas will likely be heat and will be left clean or tough. Steel within the sensory gardens will likely be cooler to the contact, particularly in winter, so take into consideration handrails and materials selection proper from the beginning,” he provides.
For plant textures within the border go for textured foliage like ferns or grasses that you just will not have the ability to withstand operating your fingers by way of.
“Contemplate the whopping, spiky, football-like heads of Dianthus barbatus ‘Inexperienced Wicky’ and the velvety Tithonia ‘Torch’ for texture. These will look fantastic in pots, raised backyard beds or in borders,” provides Sarah Raven.
7. Create accessible pathways for people with mobility points
Create wide pathways which emit scent when walked over by planting creeping thyme between cracks(Image credit: Miriam Heppell / Alamy Stock Photo)
Think about installing firm, stable wide pathways in a sensory garden. “Ensure your sensory garden is inclusive by positioning its elements at an accessible height for wheelchair users,” says Mark Lane.
“Add a raised edge to pathways in accessible garden designs, so feet, wheels and canes don’t end up in flower beds. Illuminate pathways, introduce handrails to steps and different coloured edges to the treads, ramps and overhangs. Seats should be a mix of built-in and stand-alone. Ensure there are strong arms to push up from, or the benches are secure and stable and will not wobble when you get up.
“Gardens should be safe and secure places where you feel relaxed and protected. By thinking about these key senses and breaking down the garden into manageable areas, you can tackle each area individually, and you will create a space that you and the wildlife can enjoy for many years to come, keeping all the senses active,” adds Mark.
8. Zone different areas for the senses
Having different sensory zones will help create a sense of journey throughout your garden(Image credit: Eirasophie / Getty Images)
“Zoning can be used within your garden to create different areas that enhance each individual sense. This is a straightforward method for those who are beginners and unfamiliar with designing outdoor spaces,” says Tom Clifford. Zones are also great for dividing up long gardens.
“For example, creating a zone that is predominately centred around scent, using an abundance of flowers and plants that give off vibrant aromas,” adds Tom. “Although this area will likely also engage ‘sight’ senses it will not necessarily focus completely on visual elements, the sight zone will place more importance on the design of the space to create a visually interesting zone.
“Once your zoning is completed it is likely that a range of senses will flow throughout leaving a stimulating experience.”
Tom Clifford
Tom has been in the garden landscaping business for more than 13 years making him an expert in garden design. He is the director of Gardenstone Limited, a garden landscaping materials company.
9. Encourage birds and wildlife to your sensory garden
Stipa gigantea provides height and texture as well as attracting birds(Image credit: Kay Roxby / Alamy Stock Photo)
“Sensory gardens tend to attract a lot of wildlife, such as birds and butterflies, due to their array of flowers, plants and water features. Sensory gardens are a brilliant option for urban gardens to help create a country oasis in a town or city environment,” says Ali Wooldridge.
“There really is nothing nicer than a dawn chorus or bird song in the early evening. Encourage birds and animals to fill your space with their sweet sounds by planting shrubs that provide safe nesting spaces,” says Sarah Raven.
“Grasses like Stipa gigantea and Eucalyptus nicolsonii are perfect for this and will produce valuable forage too,” she adds.
Ali Wooldridge
Ali founded Gardenesque five years ago from a desire to transform her London city garden into a more artistic, rich and exotic green space. The brand grew out of the belief that every garden can be brought to life by beautiful gardenware that accentuates the natural beauty of your plants, and creates an organic extension to your home
FAQs
What does a sensory garden include?
“A sensory garden is purposefully made to allow one to feel closer to nature by engaging a variety of different senses. This includes the five main senses, smell, taste, sight, touch and sound. A sensory garden can be achieved using an interesting design with a range of different plants, materials and objects that have sensory qualities,” says garden design expert Tom Clifford.
These elements include:
Scent: “Lavender is an age-old favourite that works particularly well within sensory gardens due to its delightful scent and lilac colour that is pleasing on the eye. It’s common to rub lavender between your fingers in order to receive the most of its rich scent, which creates a sensory experience that includes both touch and smell,” says Tom Clifford.
Touch: “Texture plays a massive role within sensory gardens, not only are textures appealing for touch senses but they also play an important role in the visual and sound aspect of your garden. Large foliage is an easy method for adding a range of different textures and filling empty space within your garden. In addition, gravel is a texture that creates a crunching sound underfoot whilst also having a changing visual appearance in different weather conditions,” says Tom.
Sound: “Water features are a popular choice in a sensory garden as they engage sight, touch and sound. The flowing water provides a soothing sound that can create a calm and tranquil environment for homeowners to de-stress within. In addition, interesting designs can be used to create a central feature within your garden that provides visual interest,” says Tom.
Sight: A visually interesting garden with striking bright or soft and harmonious colour schemes as well as plants with different architectural qualities such as globe-shaped alliums, or spiky lupins.
Taste: A sensory garden should ideally include some form of edible plants, this can be anything from herbs to a vegetable patch, or fruit trees.
If you’re inspired by the idea of a garden which promotes a sense of zen and calm, then you could also consider incorporating some Japanese garden ideas into your space.
Typical themes include moss, natural stone and running water, all of which can help to boost the sensory appeal of your garden too.
