The Best Plants for Your Sensory Garden List

Sensory gardens aren't just beautiful. They offer a holistic way to give you an enjoyable sensory experience. 

They're designed to stimulate the five senses - sight, smell, sound, touch, and taste. 

Anyone looking for a calming, interactive experience can visit sensory gardens. These gardens are also ideal for children and the elderly.

But to create a perfect sensory experience, you must choose the right combination of plants. 

Some plants are meant to make your garden more visually appealing, like flowers with vibrant colours. Other plants are useful for their tactile properties, like lamb's ear. 

If you want to know which plants to use for your garden, you can find it all here. This article offers a curated list of the best plants for a sensory garden. 

What Are the Best Plants for a Sensory Garden?

Creating a sensory garden involves careful consideration. 

You have to think about each plant's ability to stimulate the senses in unique ways. 

There are plants with vibrant colours, distinct textures, and strong scents. This combination can create a rich, interactive experience. 

Your sensory garden plant list should include the following:

1. Plants for sight
2. Plants for smell
3. Plants for sound
4. Plants for touch
5. Plants for taste

Plants for Sight

Let's start with plants that will visually enhance your sensory garden. 

The idea is to use plants that can stand out. Choose plants with vivid colours, striking shapes, and varying heights. 

These plants can make the garden visually stimulating.

These are some beautiful plants and flowers you can add to your sensory garden:

• Sunflowers

Bright and tall, sunflowers add cheerful colour and interest. Plus, they come in various heights. Some can even grow to be 10 feet tall. 

• Lavender

Lovely purple flowers and silver-green foliage add contrast. They bring some colour to the greenery. Lavender also attracts bees and butterflies.

• Coleus

Coleus are known for its brightly coloured foliage in shades of red, yellow, and green. They thrive in hot and humid conditions. 

• Coral bells

Coral bells have colourful leaves in shades of purple, red, and green. They're beautiful all year round.

• Vibrant coloured blooms

These include plants like zinnias, marigolds, and nasturtiums. They add visual appeal with their bright colours.

• Wildflowers

Common poppies, ox-eye daisies, ragged robins, and corn marigolds attract pollinators. They also add movement to the garden.

• Peace rose

Peace roses are known for their bi-coloured blooms and richly vibrant, glossy green leaves. They can make any garden more beautiful. 

• Weeping willow

If you have room, add a weeping willow. Just check your local area as these are classified as a weed in some councils. The graceful, arching branches and lush foliage create a serene visual atmosphere.

• Alliums

These plants produce balls of starry petals that float above other flowers. They add a strong vertical accent to the garden.

Plants for Smell

Plants that appeal to our sense of smell are key in a sensory garden.

Scent has a unique ability to bring back memories, lift moods, and create a calming atmosphere. Fragrant plants can fill the air with subtle or bold scents.

That's why you should add these to your sensory garden plant list:

• Jasmine

Small but mighty, Jasmine produces a sweet fragrance that fills the air, especially in the evening. Jasmine is often used in aromatherapy. 

• Rosemary

Rosemary is a fragrant herb that releases scent when touched. This invigorating aroma can awaken the senses. 

• Lemon balm

Lemon balm has a citrusy scent that can be released by brushing the leaves. It's easy to grow, but it prefers a rich, moist substrate. 

• Gardenia

Gardenia is known for its intoxicating, sweet aroma. Gardenia bushes grow well in warm, humid environments.

• Lavender

We've already mentioned lavender for its visual appeal. But it's also great for adding a sweet scent to gardens. Thanks to its sweet scent, lavender provides therapeutic benefits. 

• Mint

Mint makes a great addition to your sensory garden. These herbs are not only fragrant but also stimulate the sense of taste.

• Honeysuckle

These strong-scented flowers enhance the sensory experience. This plant is also a great climber if you're considering vertical gardening. 

• Southern magnolia

Southern magnolia emits a complex fragrance. It's a mix between sweet floral notes, citrusy lemon, and earthy musk.

• Curry plant

The curry plant is known for its beautiful scent on warm days. Its leaves carry a strong fragrance.

Plants for Sound

You can also use some plants to stimulate your sense of hearing.

Sound can enhance the environment in your sensory garden. It can also create a soothing, interactive experience. 

The sounds of leaves, grasses, and even seed pods moving can create a sense of calm and relaxation. 

Here are some plants that can improve the auditory experience of your sensory garden:

• Bamboo

Bamboo creates a soothing, hollow clatter. The stalks and leaves rustle in the wind, creating a relaxing sound. There's a reason they're included in every Japanese garden. 

• Fountain grass

Fountain grass makes a gentle sound when it sways in the breeze. You might think that grass can't make much of a difference. But you'd be surprised how it can contribute to a calming environment. 

• Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides)

This tree is known for its "quaking" leaves, which create sound with even a slight breeze. It's most beautiful in autumn. 

• Pine trees

Pine trees make an excellent addition to sensory gardens. When the wind moves through pine needles, it produces a calming, rustling sound.

• Ornamental grasses

Ornamental grasses can create sound when the wind rustles through their leaves and stems.

Plants for Touch

Some plants engage the sense of touch. They encourage visitors to connect with nature in a more hands-on, interactive way.

Tactile plants invite gentle exploration. They allow people to feel a range of textures. 

These are some plants that can stimulate the sense of touch:

• Lamb's ear

You can't have a sensory garden without this plant. Lamb's ear is famous for its soft, velvety leaves, which are especially appealing to children.

• Snapdragons 

Snapdragons are flowers that open and close, perfect for gentle squeezing. This flower is also called the dragon flower, and it comes in a range of colours.

• Sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica)

The sensitive plant is also called the shameplant. It got its name because its leaves fold inwards when touched. They create a delightful and surprising reaction. Make sure to check your local area as these are classified as a weed in some councils.

• Succulents

You can add a variety of succulents to your sensory garden. Their smooth surfaces are calming to the touch.

• Moss

Moss provides a gentle, spongy feel. It's great for adding a different layer of touch sensation in shaded areas.

• Japanese blood grass

Japanese blood grass is smooth. Its red leaves are pleasant to stroke. It's also called Cogon grass. 

• Feathery and plumed ornamental grasses

You can also add any feathery and plumed ornamental grasses to your sensory garden. They provide a soft and soothing texture.

Plants for Taste 

Adding plants that will cater to your sense of taste is easy enough. 

Edible plants add an interactive element. They allow visitors to enjoy fresh, natural flavours directly from the garden. 

There are many edible plants you can use for your sensory garden, including:

• Fresh herbs

Add fresh herbs like basil, coriander, mint, and parsley. These herbs are great additions because of their taste and aroma.

• Edible flowers

Use edible flowers like lavender, sage, and chamomile. All these flowers can be used in cooking. They also add variety to your taste garden.

• Fruits and vegetables

There are many fruits and vegetables you can grow in your sensory garden. These include carrots, chilli peppers, tomatoes, apples, strawberries, and blackberries.

• Wild strawberries

Wild strawberries evoke positive memories. They also provide a sweet taste throughout the summer. They're a fun addition, providing delicious, easy-to-pick fruit.

• Lemon balm

Lemon balm has a mild lemon flavour and scent. It's perfect for teas, desserts, or just nibbling in the garden.

• Thyme

Thyme adds a savoury element. It can also be used in cooking.

Additional Elements for Sensory Gardens

Aside from plants, you can also add a variety of other elements to your sensory garden. Here are some ideas:

1. Water features

These could be small fountains, streams, or small ponds. The sound of flowing or trickling water can create a calming effect. Still water provides reflection and visual interest.

2. Wind chimes

Wind chimes are a wonderful addition to a sensory garden. They can be made from wood or glass. Placed strategically, they add a musical element to your sensory garden.

3. Pathways and textures

Consider adding gravel or mulch paths that create sound when walked on. They provide tactile interest and make navigation interesting. Raised beds are ideal for easier interaction with plants.

4. Seating areas

Benches or seating areas near water features or in the garden allow for relaxation. Visitors can sit, relax, and take in the sensory experiences around them. 

5. Bird baths and feeders

Bird baths and feeders are a nice touch. They attract birds, adding to the visual and auditory experience.

6. Trellises and sculptures

Trellises and sculptures add textural elements and visual interest to the garden. 

These features aren't mandatory, but they will make your sensory experience all that better. 

Design Your Very Own Sensory Garden

A thoughtfully curated sensory garden can result in a beautiful, interactive space. 

The right plants and additional elements can stimulate sight, smell, sound, touch, and taste. You can create a garden that is both relaxing and educational.

With these plants and tips from Evergreen Infrastructure, you're ready to start creating your sensory garden. 

We're green space experts with experience in sensory-rich therapeutic landscapes in Melbourne. We know how to create spaces designed for peace and restoration.

If you want to know more about how we design green spaces, feel free to reach out to us. 

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