You can include almost any plant that you would grow in a normal garden in a sensory garden. The difference is this.
In this part of my article I have listed sensory garden plants we can use to create a sensory environment and will discuss materials on my sensory garden design page.
So let's think about the senses we would like to develop and choose plants for their different types of scent, texture, sound, taste. Their visual effect and effect on those senses.
Note: Some scented plants can also be planted to stimulate other senses like seeing, touch, sound and taste, so the list of sensory plants on this page may include the same plants in more than one category.
Plants for scent
When you select your sensory garden plants for smell, also choose some for the different ways they release scent;
Basil, Beebalm, Chamomile, Heliotrope, Hyacinth, Lavender, Lemonbalm, Lily, Lily-of-the-Valley, Mint, Peony, Pinks, Sage, Scented Geranium, Stock, Thyme, Violet.
List of plants for sensory effect.
Not forgetting a very important sensory organ, our tongue.
Plants for taste
Safe fruits and vegetables include pumpkins, tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, carrots, strawberries. Herbs, like mint, dill, and parsley can be
good for flavouring many types of food as well as providing colour and texture in a sensory garden design.
Lists of easy to grow fruit and vegetables here growing your own.
Try this Wildflower lawn
Scents without touching the plant Mock orange, Philadelphus, some roses, Honeysuckle, and the Curry plant.
Sensory plants to get up close to smell the scent Violet, primrose and some Narcissus.
Ones to pinch or crush in your hand Peppermint, Apple mint, Lemon thyme most culinary herbs, Camomile and scented Geranium.
Pathways, Plant fragrant plants like rosemary, lavender, honeysuckle, sweet alyssum, lemon balm, mint, and sweet peas along paths and entrances where they can be fully appreciated. Plants to be planted in paths.
I don't want to complicate things here, but as well as selecting plants for their sensory effect it's a good idea, essential in fact, to select plants that will thrive in the type of soil in your garden and conditions like sun and shade .
Trial and error will work but to save time, money and avoid disappointment read the articles I have written and linked above.
Remember.....
Mike