Sensory beds query

[piskieinboots]

I've (been!) volunteered to create a couple of sensory raised beds in our village. What plants would you use for this?

[burnie]

I have used some herbs in between some crazy paving round my greenhouse with sensory in mind, I used
Chamomile and lavender for texture and smell and some alpine strawberries for something edible.

[happyhumph]

Anything smelly that's easy to look after - lavender and chamomile as above, rosemary, winter box etc. Also consider sound - tall grasses sound great in the wind. Something like stacchys byzantina has lovely soft leaves to touch and is tough as old boots.

[burnie]

On thinking about it, Mediterranean 'erbs could be a good thing if the beds are well drained and offer edible as well as sensory.

[ecudc]

How about greater quaking grass which produces seed heads that will rustle, the can also be puller around a little. Honesty also has unusual seed heads which might make a noise and would feel unusual if touched. Sweetcorn sounds great and so does bamboo if you can find one that won't take over your bed.

[veggiechicken]

RHS Advice at https://schoolgardening.rhs.org.uk/R...sensory-garden

[Babru]

If it's not a windy spot you could have some perfumed winter plants.

I love viburnum bodnatense, Dawn or Charles Lamont. It's a deciduous shrub, but not massive.

Also a sarcococca, or Christmas Box is evergreen, tiny white flowers in winter with a powerful scent, followed by black berries. Maybe 5 foot tall, but takes a few years to get there. Likes a shady spot.

Neither need pruned or anything else done to them, just enjoy.

[roitelet]

Artemisia arboretum, soft feathery foliage and scented you rub your hands over it. Needs trimming regularly to keep it in check.

[Kirk]

Assuming the sense is smell I would guess:
Lavender, Rosemary, Chamomile, Lemon Balm, Rose, Geraniums (scented ones).
Suppose as a difference Night Stocks.
Really, really different one of those things that smells or rotting flesh.

My bay tree smells of Bay. Quite strongly.
Several thymes.