The sensory garden, located adjacent to the pavilion at the Nature Preserve was designed for more than just looks. The plants are meant to be touched, smelled, and heard. The main requirements for plants used in these beds were sensory appeal and hardiness. The garden was designed to need minimal care after it was established.
The backbone of the two 10’ square beds is perennial herbs. Herbs like rosemary, oregano, thyme, sage and mint fit the requirements of appealing to more than one sense and easy care. Annual dill was added to attract and feed butterfly larva. Interesting ornamental grasses were chosen to add texture and sound. The Mexican feather grass has appeal year around.
Spring brings the sweet scent of the daffodils and dianthus. Summer color comes from yarrow, autumn sage and lantana. A rusty Black Haw viburnum and Mexican Mint Marigold offer fall color. And in the winter the dried plumes of the ornamental grasses give the garden interest.
Because these gardens are in a nature preserve the plants were also chosen for their lack of deer appeal. If deer get hungry enough, they will eat almost any growing plant, but they are not generally attracted to ornamental grasses or strong-smelling plants like herbs.
