Sensory gardens can be found all over the world–at children’s museums, within botanical gardens, at zoos, at long-term care facilities, and as stand-alones in communities.
Garden of the Senses
Henry Doorly Zoo, Omaha, Nebraska
The garden has more than 250 kinds of herbs, perennials, and trees, along with “blankets of roses and flowers,” and is designed to ignite all five senses.
Central Park Gardens
Davis, California
This sensory garden is a collaboration between community volunteers and the city. The Central Park Gardens offer many classes and ways to get involved.
Tucsawilla Preserve Sensory Garden
Museum of Arts and Sciences,
Daytona Beach, Florida
This sensory garden, at the entrance to a 90-acre nature preserve, has a butterfly and hummingbird garden and an area for native wildflowers and herbs.
Lerner Garden of the Five Senses
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay, Maine
This one-acre sensory garden includes a labyrinth and reflexology walking area, as well as an area devoted to the sense of taste.
Sally Stone Sensory Garden
Botanica, Wichita, Kansas
This new sensory garden has planting bays where wheelchair users can work with plants, as well as displays that show techniques and tools for gardeners with special needs.
William T. Bacon Sensory Garden
Chicago Botanic Garden, Chicago
In the entry garden, a large sycamore tree is surrounded by plants chosen for their fragrance and colors. Visitors can stroll next to raised beds or walk through birch trees and wildflowers.
Sarah Zobel, a writer who focuses on health and wellness, lives in northern Vermont with her husband and two sons. Reprinted from Spirituality & Health(March-April 2010), a bimonthly that offers resources for the spiritual journey.www.spiritualityhealth.com