ornamental grasses Archives - Naturally Healthy Living

the 10 best to grow in your garden |

Sensory garden plants can delight all five of our senses. A backyard filled with these will have visual appeal, beautiful scent, enchanting sound when their leaves shift in the breeze, and interesting textures. Plus, of course, some of these choices – including both edible flowers and herbs – please our sense of taste.

While all yards have the potential to delight our five senses, sensory garden ideas focus very specifically on these elements in their design and in the selection of plants for the space, turning up the dial on sight, sound, touch, smell and taste.

Here, we’ve put together a guide to our favorite plant options for a sensory garden to assist in your design.

Sensory garden plants

The sensory garden plants in this selection include those that are particularly appealing to one of the five senses, or to more than one. Use them to inform your flower bed ideas and make sure to choose a mix of plants with varying habits, such as those that scramble over a trellis or have a commanding presence in the border due to their height.

1. Curry plant (Helichrysum italicum)

This compact evergreen shrub with silvery gray foliage and clusters of pale lemon pollen-laden flowers is beautifully scented on warm days and known for attracting bees. It likes a sunny, sheltered spot in well-drained soil, and should be trimmed to keep its

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when to plant for color-filled pots, beds and borders |

Knowing when to plant a fall garden, and with a little planning, you can continue the color show right through to the end of the year. This is vital if you are all too aware that your yard reaches its floral best during spring and summer only to fade away in fall.

There are many shrubs, trees and plants that put on a breath-takingly colorful autumn show. From the best fall trees, such as standout Japanese acers in their vivid shades of red, orange and purple, through to fall flowers for pots, such as flamboyant dahlias and more subtle but no-less beautiful, ornamental grasses you can find late season stars for every area of your yard.

Fall planter ideas and plants for hanging baskets also play an important role at this time of year. Replace fading late summer flowers with sculptural evergreens such as box, bay and laurel and berry laden favorites including ghostly snowberry, skimmia, hypericum and callicarpa with its bold purple fruits. Fall flowering bulbs add striking notes of color – cyclamen, colchium and nerines being just three to mention while many climbing plants also come into their own dazzling with glowing leaves, fruits and flowers.

All have different requirements, but this guide to when to plant a fall garden will help you set a schedule.

When to plant a fall garden

Just because the days are growing shorter and the weather cooling,