An assault on the senses RHS Rosemoor horticulturist, Richard Wilson, describes how your garden – whether big or small – can be transformed into a multi-sensory experience, combining sight, sound, touch and, of course, fragrance

An assault on the senses An AssAult on the senses...

As a professional gardener, I often get engrossed in the busy daily schedules, routine work and the many distractions that occur as I beaver away. It is easy to forget to take a moment or two every now and then to stop, look, listen and feel your surroundings.

Agarden, regardless of its size and complexity is a wonderful assault on the senses and for me, to smell the Feeling the soft, velvety leaves of a Stachys byzantina ‘Silver Carpet’ or simply walking barefoot across a grassy area rarely daphne, listen to the song thrush, see the first spring bulbs fails to add to the glory and feel of a garden. emerge and have a sneaky tree hug is a valuable and hugely Fragrance in a garden is arguably top of most gardening beneficial “golden” moment. wish lists and if I were asked for four plants which have the

Multi-sensory designed gardens are becoming more popular ability to provide a year-round supply of heady scent, it would and will often be found at schools, hospitals and residential be the following great performers: Sarcococca hookeriana homes, providing a stimulating and beneficial environment var. digyna for the winter, Viburnum × burkwoodii taking you inviting users to sit safely and through spring, Abelia × grandiflora serenely or actively interact with “ There is little doubt of the supplying waves of summer scent particular features to generate a sensory response. impact that the sight of a well and Elaeagnus × submacrophylla ‘Compacta’ as a sound choice for

Additions to your garden need not assembled garden can have at autumn. be expensive or complicated and can create a personal sensory idyll any time of year. ” There is little doubt of the impact that the sight of a well assembled for you to lose yourself in. garden can have at any time of

The breeze passing through grasses such as the compact year. It is a very personal thing how your garden is put together, Miscanthus sinensis ‘Starlight’ or Molinia caerulea subsp. but combining colour, texture, shape and height to form a green arundinacea ‘Karl Foerster’, rattling bamboo stems together or space for yourself is hugely satisfying and a feast for the eyes. the sound of bees and birds attracted by nectar rich plants are a It is often the smallest things that give the greatest pleasure, treat for your ears. such as the sun casting across the bark of a tree highlighting

Cut back Cornus (Dogwood) and Salix (Willow) grown for colourful winter stems. ©RHS/Tim Sandall

the texture or the patchwork eff ect of stones together forming a wall.

Tasting and eating the bounty from a fruit and vegetable garden is also undoubtedly hugely satisfying and nourishing. If, like me, you have limited space and a purely ornamental garden it is still possible to tickle your taste buds by ‘growing your own’. Alpine Strawberries Fragaria vesca (F) can be grown in a container, need little maintenance and taste absolutely amazing! They are extremely sweet with a hint of vanilla and can be eaten straight from the plant or sprinkled over a cheeky bowl of ice-cream.

So, this spring, why don’t you treat yourself to your very own sensory hideaway to rest up, rejuvenate and consider your next horticultural masterplan as the garden begins to wake from what for some has been a very long winter. 

H are a few key jobs to k p mind and body fulfi ed:

• Protect new spring sh ts from slugs, Nematodes are worth a try. • Plant su er-fl owering bulbs. • Li and d de overgrown clumps of p ials. • Top dre containers with fresh compost. • Mow the lawn on dry days (if n ded). • Cut back Cornus (Dogw d) and Salix (Wi ow) grown for c urful winter stems. • Hoe and mulch w ds to k p them under control rly. • Prune bush and climbing roses. • Tie in climbing and rambling roses. • Sow hardy a uals, herbs and wild fl ower s d outd rs. • Incr se the water given to houseplants. • F d hungry shrubs and roses. • Sow new lawns or repair bare patches. • Watch out for late frosts. Protect tender plants. • Earth up potatoes, and promptly plant any sti rema ng. • Plant out su er be ing plants at the end of April ( cept in cold ar s). • Water rly and late to get the most out of your water, recycle water when po ible. • Open gr nhouse vents and d rs on warm days. • Li and d de overcrowded clumps of da odils and other spring-fl owering bulbs.

Abelia Grandifl ora ©RHS/Wendy Wesley Stachys byzantina ‘Silver Carpet’ ©RHS/Graham Titchmarsh

Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna ©RHS/Sheila Dearing

Gardens

Richard Wilson - RHS Rosemoor Horticulturist

I have been with the RHS as a member of the Formal Gardens team here at Rosemoor since May 2015 and am currently responsible for the maintenance of our colour themed gardens, the Hot and Cool gardens. In addition to this, areas of shrubbery along the stream side fall within my remit. I live near Barnstaple and enjoy helping with volunteer garden projects. I run competitively, row with Barnstaple Pilot Gig Club and enjoy long distance cycling. In my spare time, I tend to sleep!