a feast for eyes , ears , nose and other senses Jim Weiker Columbus Dispatch | USA TODAY NETWORK
12 | SUNDAY , MARCH 24 , 2024 | THE RECORD
GREAT AMERICAN HOME & GARDEN REFRESH
Sensory gardens
a feast for eyes , ears , nose and other senses Jim Weiker Columbus Dispatch | USA TODAY NETWORK
A well-rounded garden should be a joy to see . And smell . And touch . And even hear and taste .
So-called “ sensory gardens ” offer opportunities to cover all bases . One of the nation ’ s largest opened in 2010 as part of the 250-acre Wickham Park near Hartford , Connecticut .
“ We divided experiences in five garden rooms , each sense with its own ‘ room ’ and a final one for imagination ,” said Jeff Maron , director emeritus of the park .
“ In the different gardens , we try to put something that relates to the senses such as smell — plants with pleasant odors ; taste — we use harvestable plants , such
as fruits and berries ; touch — we use plants that are soft and are pointed ; and sound — we use a water feature , a fountain and wind chimes .”
Here ’ s how gardeners can hit all five notes in their own sensory garden :
Sight : Pick plants that provide a variety of colors , textures and shapes , from vibrant flowers to muted grasses and shrubs . Taper plant heights , from ground cover to shrubs , and be sure to pick a mix that offers year-round interest , Maron advises .
Smell : Popular plants known for their fragrance include viburnum , lilac , hyacinth , jasmine , gardenia and garden
Wickham Park ’ s sensory garden in Connecticut , blends visual elements such as sculptures with foliage , water and other features . PROVIDED BY WICKHAM
PARK phlox . Some can overwhelm neighboring scents , so be careful to separate them and use them sparingly . Milder but just as pleasing can be pine , nasturtium or herbs .
Taste : Fruits and vegetables are always options , but for those who don ’ t want to battle critters , flowers such as violets , pansies and bee balm are edible . Otherwise , herbs such as thyme , rosemary , basil and dill are easily grown and offer a useful bonus for cooks .
Sound : From the gentle whisper of wind through grasses to the rattle of dried seedpods , gardens can offer audible pleasure . Gardeners can augment those sounds of nature by installing feeders or planting flowers to attract birds and bees , or by adding a water feature or chimes .
Touch : From rough bark to smooth succulents , feathery ferns and soft lambs ear , gardeners should seek a variety of textures and surfaces to complement the sights , sounds , smells and tastes of a well-curated sensory garden .
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