The Sensory Garden

Gardens can, and should be for everyone, including those with mental health struggles, disabilities or cognitive impairment. A sensory garden, in particular, is beneficial as it can open up opportunities to experience the outdoors in many different ways that may not otherwise be possible for people. For example, people with impaired sight or blindness can enjoy the heightened scents, textures, sounds and tastes present in a garden.

Our garden truly represents Octavia’s ideals of gardens for all. Sloping paths allow wheelchair access, and sound installations, texture and scent offer alternative ways for those with sensory loss to experience and enjoy the space, making a positive difference to overall health and wellbeing.

A garden that enriches our senses can be used as an educational tool and can help children connect with the natural world. Particularly, children with learning difficulties can find sensory gardens hugely beneficial, as it allows them to explore their senses safely.

A special installation in our garden by sound artist Justin Wiggan, records the electrical impulses of the plants, the earth beneath our feet, and the colours within blooms, wind and water. This will enhance connections to our garden and provide alternative experiences for visitors who are visually impaired or blind. Thanks to geocaching, visitors will even be able to share and ‘replant’ the garden’s sounds, creating their own ‘sound gardens’ around the world.

When creating a sensory garden, we should consider features that stimulate our five senses; touch, scent, sound, taste and sight. There are so many ways in which we can achieve this - through texture, highly scented plants, running water and wildlife sounds, growing fruit and vegetables to eat, and creating vibrant displays.