1. Lavandula angustifolia 'Essence Purple'
Also known as English Lavender, it is a great pollinator with fragrant blue purple flowers from early summer. Lavender works well within a planting scheme, or alongside other mature lavender to create a hedge. Can also look fantastic in pots, and thrives in well drained soil in full sun.
The first record of lavender can be traced back to more than 2,500 years ago, and it is believed the ancient Egyptians used it as a perfume and for creating incense. It is well known for its calming qualities, with Lavender oil known to help improve sleep quality and reduce anxiety and emotional stress.
2. Panicum virgatum 'Squaw'
Ornamental grass within a sensory garden is a must due to their sound and touch, .and one of my favourites is Panicum virgatum 'Squaw', also known as Switch Grass 'Squaw'.
Although it's deciduous, I think it makes up for it in abundance during the months it is visible within the garden.
A clump-forming grass with a narrow upright habit, it's perfect for kids to explore due to its height, and gently run their fingers along the airy brown flower spikes which turn wine-red in late summer, while the narrow lush green leaves turn golden bronze in the autumn, It also creates a habitat for wildlife and provide seeds for birds and nesting material.
3. Thymus serpyllum
Creeping thyme is a great addition to a sensory space, and planted in bulk, it can be a great alternative to a lawn, so why not create your very own thyme lawn.
Edible and fragrant, this popular herb can even be walked on, taking moderate traffic to unleash a relaxing scent from the highly aromatic leaves. The scent can also help deter biting insects.
It is a low maintenance perennial, and looks great all year round.
If you predict high traffic through your creeping thyme lawn, it would be a good idea to place stepping stones to protect the plants.
4. Echinacea purpurea
The purple coneflower is one of my favourites, and it looks great planted alongside its white variety, the Echinacea purpurea 'Alba'.
The coneflower engages sight within the sensory garden reaching heights of 1m, and its flowers are fragrant. It is long lasting and great for pollinators.
They need to be planted in full sun in soil that drains freely and will even tolerate dry soil.
The coneflower is a very versatile plant, and looks great in a wide range of different planting scheme styles. It is edible too, the Echinacea leaves, flowers, and roots can be used to make tea and tincture.
5. Mentha x piperita f. citrata 'Chocolate'
Any variety of mint works well within a sensory garden, but one of my favourites is chocolate mint, and lets face it, who doesn't like chocolate! If you visit a good plant nursery you should be able to find unusual varieties such as strawberry, ginger, apple, and even pineapple mint.
Mint will enhance a sensory experience, as its crushed foliage releases incredibly strong fragrances, and this variety really does smell like mint chocolate. As it's edible, why not add it to deserts, or for the grown ups, it makes a great alternative to regular mint in a mojito!
The most important thing to remember however when growing mint is to keep it contained, as it will spread like wildfire if left to grow freely, so plant it in a pot and enjoy it all summer long.
So those are my Top 5 Plants for a Sensory Garden, but I'd love to know what your favourites are!
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