Please click on any of the links below to view detailed drawings and planting ideas for the Sensory Garden.

1. Sensory Garden Pack
2. Design Notes
3. Trees
4. Large Shrubs
5. Climbers
6. Flowers
7. Herbs & Vegetables
8. Grasses
9. Fixtures & Fittings

The Sensory Garden

The last building extension to Darsdale was completed in 2002
and cost £250,000; unfortunately we had to use the land where
there had been a small sensory garden. Our funds were completely exhausted so we were unable to reinstate the garden. New residential home regulations, further enhancements and a considerable bedroom refurbishment programme all served to push the replacement of the sensory garden back and back in our priorities.

At the beginning of this year it was decided that we should try to replace the garden with one that would not only enable our residents to sit and enjoy the countryside, but would also allow them to stimulate their remaining senses. We decided to call upon the services of a professional garden planner to prepare a set of proposals.

The area chosen was the site of Darsdale’s original sunken garden, that also had a fish pond, which has long since been filled in for safety. Although it still retains an element of early twentieth century charm it is totally impractical to allow blind and partially sighted people to wander around. The area, which measures approximately 285 sq.m is shown to the right, it cannot be used by residents because of very uneven paving and other potential hazards, but the spot will make a perfect site for the new purpose built sensory garden. It is in close proximity to the resident’s main lounge and doors from the conservatory, and always in sight from the main building.

We consulted with our residents to establish their views and involved our staff, particularly with respect to how they would be able to maintain safety for their charges.

A series of meetings were held with the garden planner and the specifications were drawn up. However, we allowed him to have a free hand to develop his ideas; but insisted they should be both practical from a low maintenance view point, as well as sensory stimulating. We also wanted a layout that was also visually attractive; many of our residents have regular visits from their sighted relatives and friends. We wanted these people to be able to enjoy the garden just as much as the visually impaired person they were visiting.

With special thanks to Complete Gardens for allowing us to use material from their interactive CD-ROM.