Sensory planting scheme
Sensory planting scheme
A sensory garden is designed to stimulate the five senses of sight, smell, sound, touch and taste. This type of planting not only encourages connection with nature, but also heightens awareness of surroundings, supports the practice of mindfulness and enhances a sense of well-being and calmness.
The flower heads of Allium hollandicum ‘Purple Sensation’ provide pops of colour dotted through the border while Salvia nemerosa ‘Caradonna’ gives vertical interest with its vibrant flower spikes. Rosa ‘Nice Day’ has a delicate fragrance and Lonicera periclymenum is sweetly scented. Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ has both aromatic foliage and scented flowers so it is perfect along paths where it will be brushed past.
Mentha spicata and Rosmarinus officinalis have aromatic foliage that smell and taste delicious. The soft, furry leaves of Stachys byzantina and Phlomis russeliana feel lovely when touched. Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’ has bristly flower heads that add soft texture to a border. The tall flower heads of Stipa gigantea provide texture and movement as they nod in the breeze. Briza media provides a calming sound as it rustles in the breeze.
1.Lonicera periclymenum 2.Rosa ‘Nice Day’ 3.Stipa gigantea 4.Phlomis russeliana 5.Rosmarinus officinalis 6.Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ 7.Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’ 8.Allium hollandicum ‘Purple Sensation’ 9.Briza media 10. Stachys byzantina 11.Salvia nemerosa ‘Caradonna’ 12.Mentha spicata
①
Lonicera periclymenum
A vigorous, shrubby climber with oval-shaped, green foliage and highly-scented, tubular, white, purple-flushed flowers in summer. Glossy, red berries follow in autumn.
②
Rosa ‘Nice Day’
A small climber with neat dark foliage and loose sprays of dainty, fragrant, salmon-pink flowers in summer and autumn. Works well in containers and grown over arches.
③
Stipa gigantea
A tufted, evergreen grass with arching, green leaves and panicles of oat-like, purple-green flowers that turn gold as they mature. Great for adding height and movement to a mixed border.
④
Phlomis russeliana
A spreading perennial with erect stems bearing heart-shaped, grey-green foliage and soft yellow flowers. A useful drought tolerant plant with a long flowering period.
⑤
Rosmarinus officinalis
An upright shrub with aromatic, narrow green leaves with white undersides that is used for culinary purposes. Pretty light blue flowers appear in late spring. Ideal for adding evergreen structure to borders.
⑥
Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’
A bushy shrub that boasts aromatic grey-green foliage, that fills the air when brushed past, and scented dark purple flower spikes in summer. Highly attractive to bees and other pollinators.
⑦
Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’
A clump-forming, delicate, ornamental grass with arching, green leaves, that transition to yellow in autumn. It has pink-tinged, fluffy flowerheads in late summer.
⑧
Allium hollandicum ‘Purple Sensation’
In early summer, this bulb produces spherical flower heads of deep violet, star-shaped flowers on long stems above strap-like green leaves. Looks lovely paired with ornamental grasses.
⑨
Briza media
A clump-forming, ornamental grass that is most effective when planted en masse. It has narrow, grey-green leaves and green flowers with a purple hue on upright stems.
⑩
Stachys byzantina
A drought-tolerant ground covering perennial with velvety, silver-green foliage and spikes of purple-pink flowers in summer. Well suited to gravel and rock gardens.
⑪
Salvia nemerosa ‘Caradonna’
A compact mound-forming perennial with grey-green leaves and dark stems bearing upright racemes of violet-blue flowers in summer. Great for the front or middle of a sunny border.
⑫
Mentha spicata
A useful culinary mint which forms clumps of bright green leaves. It spreads easily so is best kept in a container to restrain the underground runners.