- Home
- Why Greenstone
-
Services
-
Gallery
- Dementia sensory gardens
- International School grounds design - AAS Moscow
- Natural play in Early Years - North Islington
- Sensory play gardens - Hickory House
- Special needs schools - sensory play
- Sensory gardens for mental health - residential care village Norwood
- Stressed execs - residential sensory gardens
- Outdoor classrooms and community gardens
- Eco resorts - Portugal, Malaysia
- News
- Links
- Publications I Press
Sensory gardens - some background
From the Landscapers register website:
Sensory landscapes have always been popular in parks and public places, as well as in schools and homes for those with disabilities. However, they are becoming more popular in private homes, as people appreciate the pleasing atmosphere they create along with the aroma of plants. There are two types of sensory landscapes - sensory gardens, and sensory trails. Sensory gardens are areas deliberately set out to provide a wide range of sensory experiences (smell, touch, vision, hearing) in a small area. Typically, a bench or seating would be included in the design, allowing users to sit and enjoy the range of sensory experiences on offer.
Sensory trails work on the same principles as sensory gardens, but involve movement along a path to enjoy the different experiences along the way. These are commonly used for education, because as you move along the path you move into different areas which utilise different senses, allowing people, particularly children, to recognise different senses along the way. Usually, a sensory garden will also allow users to touch and feel objects along the way, perhaps interacting a little further in some cases by climbing and swinging. Naturally, this places additional challenges on design as the requirement for more hardy plants which will stand up to being touched and crushed.
It is worth bearing in mind that a sensory garden can appeal to more than just the 5 basic senses, and so can potentially make use of the additional sensory tools including gravity (changes in height, slopes), temperature, space and enclosure, and the changes between areas in the garden.
Here are some ideas for the different senses you can make use of in a sensory garden:
Use of Visuals
in Your Garden Colour is one of the most important things to consider in a garden such as this. Plants which change through the seasons can be particularly delightful, so consider the effects of the seasons on plants and their leaves and berries. Flowers can also be very colourful during the summer, while many trees will blossom in spring before their leaves turn to shades of gold, brown and red in the autumn. Also consider the changes in colour and appearance of wet and dry materials. Garden paving and pathways can also add colour, with coloured flags and stone pathways, and dyed aggregate.
Shapes
can also play a key role in the garden. Consider simple and distinctive shapes. For example, oak and sycamore trees, and flowers such as the daisy and poppy; perhaps a fruit tree can be added to the garden. Pathways can also be created with interesting shapes; for example crazy paving and rough-cut flags.
Movement
is also interesting to the eye, so perhaps add trees which make the most interesting movements, such as willow trees. Additionally, mobiles or moving water, such as a fountain or waterfall can add movement to the garden. A well planned garden will probably also attract birds, in turn creating interest through their movement and actions.
Sound and hearing
In most gardens, there will be plenty of sound for users to listen to, with the natural sounds of wind rushing through trees, as well as any wildlife sounds. You can also add water features which will add trickling water sounds, as well as wind activated noises such as wind chimes.
Smell and scent
Again, consider the various plants you could use for this task. Ideally, you want a mix of plants and flowers which give off different smells. Some will give off a smell without the need to touch them (for example winter honeysuckle, roses), while others may require closer investigation in order to get a good whiff (daffodils, violet). Finally, some plants may require crushing in order to release a smell (mint, for example). There are also non-plant smells to be considered, such as freshly mown grass, pond water and cut wood.
Touch and feeling
The outdoors is full of naturally occurring textures. You will wish to include as many as possible, covering many different textures. Textures to include are rough (mosses and lichens), smooth (pebbles and some leaves), ridged (textured stone and prickly leaves), hairy (some leaves) and bumpy (cobbles and twigs). You may also want to consider factors such as temperature, wet and dry, and contrasts in densities.
Taste and Flavour
If you wish to employ the sense of taste, you must be careful. Only include berries and fruits which are clearly recognised, and only allow taste under strict supervision.
Wildlife
A sensory garden can attract plenty of wildlife. Most animals use a wide range of senses to protect themselves and to find food. A sensory garden will help animals use their senses, and so large numbers will no doubt home in upon the garden, creating further interest.
Planning
Your sensory garden should be placed in a sunny spot in your garden, to allow plants and flowers to make use of the light, and to create a more colourful appearance.
You should plant small beds of different flowers, leaving gaps between them to allow people to move to other plants which may be behind them. Use of stepping stones or bark mulch is advised.
Before commencing planting on your garden, ensure any weeds are removed, particularly nettles and ground elder, which could cause discomfort should anyone touch them.
Sensory landscapes have always been popular in parks and public places, as well as in schools and homes for those with disabilities. However, they are becoming more popular in private homes, as people appreciate the pleasing atmosphere they create along with the aroma of plants. There are two types of sensory landscapes - sensory gardens, and sensory trails. Sensory gardens are areas deliberately set out to provide a wide range of sensory experiences (smell, touch, vision, hearing) in a small area. Typically, a bench or seating would be included in the design, allowing users to sit and enjoy the range of sensory experiences on offer.
Sensory trails work on the same principles as sensory gardens, but involve movement along a path to enjoy the different experiences along the way. These are commonly used for education, because as you move along the path you move into different areas which utilise different senses, allowing people, particularly children, to recognise different senses along the way. Usually, a sensory garden will also allow users to touch and feel objects along the way, perhaps interacting a little further in some cases by climbing and swinging. Naturally, this places additional challenges on design as the requirement for more hardy plants which will stand up to being touched and crushed.
It is worth bearing in mind that a sensory garden can appeal to more than just the 5 basic senses, and so can potentially make use of the additional sensory tools including gravity (changes in height, slopes), temperature, space and enclosure, and the changes between areas in the garden.
Here are some ideas for the different senses you can make use of in a sensory garden:
Use of Visuals
in Your Garden Colour is one of the most important things to consider in a garden such as this. Plants which change through the seasons can be particularly delightful, so consider the effects of the seasons on plants and their leaves and berries. Flowers can also be very colourful during the summer, while many trees will blossom in spring before their leaves turn to shades of gold, brown and red in the autumn. Also consider the changes in colour and appearance of wet and dry materials. Garden paving and pathways can also add colour, with coloured flags and stone pathways, and dyed aggregate.
Shapes
can also play a key role in the garden. Consider simple and distinctive shapes. For example, oak and sycamore trees, and flowers such as the daisy and poppy; perhaps a fruit tree can be added to the garden. Pathways can also be created with interesting shapes; for example crazy paving and rough-cut flags.
Movement
is also interesting to the eye, so perhaps add trees which make the most interesting movements, such as willow trees. Additionally, mobiles or moving water, such as a fountain or waterfall can add movement to the garden. A well planned garden will probably also attract birds, in turn creating interest through their movement and actions.
Sound and hearing
In most gardens, there will be plenty of sound for users to listen to, with the natural sounds of wind rushing through trees, as well as any wildlife sounds. You can also add water features which will add trickling water sounds, as well as wind activated noises such as wind chimes.
Smell and scent
Again, consider the various plants you could use for this task. Ideally, you want a mix of plants and flowers which give off different smells. Some will give off a smell without the need to touch them (for example winter honeysuckle, roses), while others may require closer investigation in order to get a good whiff (daffodils, violet). Finally, some plants may require crushing in order to release a smell (mint, for example). There are also non-plant smells to be considered, such as freshly mown grass, pond water and cut wood.
Touch and feeling
The outdoors is full of naturally occurring textures. You will wish to include as many as possible, covering many different textures. Textures to include are rough (mosses and lichens), smooth (pebbles and some leaves), ridged (textured stone and prickly leaves), hairy (some leaves) and bumpy (cobbles and twigs). You may also want to consider factors such as temperature, wet and dry, and contrasts in densities.
Taste and Flavour
If you wish to employ the sense of taste, you must be careful. Only include berries and fruits which are clearly recognised, and only allow taste under strict supervision.
Wildlife
A sensory garden can attract plenty of wildlife. Most animals use a wide range of senses to protect themselves and to find food. A sensory garden will help animals use their senses, and so large numbers will no doubt home in upon the garden, creating further interest.
Planning
Your sensory garden should be placed in a sunny spot in your garden, to allow plants and flowers to make use of the light, and to create a more colourful appearance.
You should plant small beds of different flowers, leaving gaps between them to allow people to move to other plants which may be behind them. Use of stepping stones or bark mulch is advised.
Before commencing planting on your garden, ensure any weeds are removed, particularly nettles and ground elder, which could cause discomfort should anyone touch them.
Services
> edible gardens > planting plans > resorts > community gardens > gardens for health > urban design > air quality > natural play > inclusive play > sustainable playgrounds > outdoor learning > special needs > school grounds design > inset day & CPD training > social & therapeutic > sensory gardens > wellness gardens |
Greenstone Design UK Ltd is registered in England & Wales No.06944998. Registered Office: Alderbrook, Abinger Hammer, Surrey RH5 6SA UK. VAT registration No 976 3017 05 |
Corporate Social Responsibility | Diversity & Equality | Environmental Policy
Quality Management Statement
© Greenstone Design UK Limited 2001-2020 All rights Reserved
Based on the Surrey-Hampshire border we work locally, nationally and internationally to advise and design gardens for health and well-being