Design a Sensory Garden with these Plants for the Senses
In this podcast episode of Super Cool Plants, we explore the power of plants to soothe the senses, comfort, and restore. Our panel of horticultural experts shares their favorite selections—from soft, touchable foliage to gentle fragrances and calming color palettes—for creating a more sensory-friendly garden.
Looking to design a peaceful retreat, engage more deeply with your outdoor space, or simply take the edge off a busy day? Well, we’ve got plants that deliver. Expect recommendations that appeal to all five senses—rustling grasses, velvety leaves, aromatic blooms, and more—along with practical tips for weaving them into your landscape. Tune in for a thoughtful, plant-filled conversation that just might change how your garden feels.
Podcast Episode Experts:
- Mark Dwyer is the garden manager for the Edgerton Hospital Healing Garden in Edgerton, Wisconsin, and he operates Landscape Prescriptions by MD. He is also a Midwest Regional Reporter for FineGardening.com
- Jason Reeves is a horticulturist for the Tennessee Department of Agriculture at the Ellington Agriculture Center in Nashville. He is also a contributing editor for Fine Gardening magazine. You can follow him on Facebook at Jason Reeves-in the garden.
Mark’s Favorite Plants to Soothe the Senses:
- Pineapple flower (Cephalophora aromatica, Zones 9–11)
- Chocolate cosmos (Cosmos atrosanguineus, Zones 7–9)
- ‘Rainbow Loveliness’ pinks (Dianthus ‘Rainbow Loveliness’, Zones 3–8)
- Silver sage (Salvia argentea, Zones 5–8/biennial)
Silver sage
Jason’s Favorite Plants to Soothe the Senses:
- Mexican feather grass (Nassella tenuissima, Zones 7–10)
- Sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica, Zones 9–11)
- Aromance® nemesia (Nemesia fruticans cvs., annual)
- Old-fashioned bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis, Zones 3–9)
- ‘Gold Heart’ bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis ‘Gold Heart’, Zones 3–9)
Photos by contributors unless otherwise noted.
See More:
Super Cool Plants Episode 1: Underappreciated Native Plants
How to Design a Tranquil Garden
See More Podcast Episodes
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