What is a sensory garden? Simply put, it is a garden that purposely engages any or all of the five senses: sight, touch, sound, taste and smell.
At one time, sensory gardens were created specifically for those with some sort of disability like blindness or lack of mobility. It was understood early on that people with learning disabilities or who were autistic benefitted greatly from sensory gardens. But as the effects of being outdoors and interacting with plants have been studied further, we’ve realized that this type of engaging, dynamic garden benefits everyone.
Engaging all senses ensures that everyone can feel the benefits, even if one of their senses is greatly reduced. The more senses that are involved, the richer and more memorable the experience will be. Stepping outdoors and engaging with the garden after a stressful day can calm your mind and your nervous system, reset your mood and boost your serotonin.
