Back

The Making Sense Garden

Get Started Gardens

The Making Sense Garden has a sensory theme and has been designed specifically for people with smell and taste disorders in mind. The garden was created to provide a space for people with disorders such as anosmia or hyposmia, to explore, sit, talk and enjoy a garden in which the other senses – sight, sound and touch – are enhanced and given a platform.

The garden is divided into two levels, with both levels generously planted. Multi-stemmed trees with tactile bark frame two corners of the garden. A curving path with steps leads the visitor down to a sunken area, for sitting while immersed among the planting.

The generously planted herbaceous beds have a loose planting scheme. Plants are allowed to grow into each other and self seed as the garden matures.

A water feature protruding from a wall provides a pleasant splashing sound. The harmonious colour palette varies subtly across the levels and features cool tones with accents of colour.

At a glance:

Who is this garden for? 
A sensory garden intended for those who have smell or taste disorders.
Where is the garden set?  
The garden is imagined to be in a small garden setting or hospital trust​.
Who or what is the design inspiration?
A sensory garden specifically designed for those who have taste or smell disorders, inspired by the work of the Fifth Sense charity.
 

Key sustainability points

  • Opting for a self-binding gravel path minimises concrete usage and maximises how excess water is managed through the use of a permeable surface.
  • Concrete is minimised – fence posts are driven hard into the ground and compacted earth used to set them in place. The steps are timber framed and not constructed from concrete blockwork.
  • British based nursery partners are all certified as peat free and everything is grown in recyclable pots.

Repurpose & relocation

All key elements of the garden will be relocated across three private projects being undertaken by the designers.

RHS People’s Choice Award

The votes have been counted – did your favourite gardens win?

All Show Gardens

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.