Sensory Garden
In 2003, it was decided to try and develop a Sensory Garden here in a small over-grown patch behind the Information Office. The Education Centre concentrates on introducing nature to children via the five senses, and it was felt that a Sensory Garden would compliment the programme. Coincidentally, 2003 was also the Year of the Disabled and the paths around Glendalough were being upgraded to facilitate all users. It was felt that a Sensory Garden might also benefit those that are unable to visit the nature in much of the National Park. Finally, the Sensory Garden aimed to show people how to make a garden more wildlife-friendly.
Design
The garden was designed and constructed by National Park staff. Many of the ideas came from a German volunteer student, Nanni Ulbrecht, and from similar gardens around the country. The plants and features try to appeal to the senses. Some smell good, some feel good, some look good, some sound good, and one or two even taste good! (But please don’t eat our garden….)
The raised beds serve two purposes – they help to lift the plants to a level where they can be easily appreciated, and the raised edges act as a tapping rail for visually impaired visitors. This tapping rail continues right around the garden.
The first area of the garden features an insect area. An area of sand gives insects a place to bask and warm up in the morning sun. Hemp Agrimony (Eupatorium purpurea), Ice Plant (Sedum spectabile), and Feverfew ( Tanacetum parthenium) are particularly favoured by butterflies and bees.
A granite spiral planted with Houseleeks (Sempervivum sp.) makes use of a dry area under a large Monterey Pine (Pinus radiata), and is particularly touchy-feely – rough granite / spiky Sedums.
Many of the plants at the front of the large raised beds smell good. Many are herbs – Peppermint (Mentha spicata), Lavender (Lavandula augustifolia), Sage in various colour varieties (Salvia officinallis) etc. Some are interesting to touch and some are interesting to smell. At the back of the beds are plants that have particularly bright flowers – bright red Lobelias, and deep red Scabious (Knautia macedonica). People with very little vision appreciate such hot colours.
The fenced off area around the pond is a wildlife area. The densely planted herbaceous plants die back in winter, but are a mecca for wildlife in the summer months. Flowers of Shasta Daisy (Chrysanthemum maximum), Thalictrum, etc are particularly eye-catching. A giant Gunnera manicata arches over the pond. Within the pond are water lilies, Bogbean, Flag Iris, Pickerel Plant amongst others. Keep your eye out for the pond’s inhabitants – Great Diving beetles, dragonfly larvae, tadpoles & frogs, all arrived naturally. The wildlife is encouraged by the exclusion of fish. The constant trickling of the waterfall helps to keep the pond aerated and therefore clear, and also appeals to the ears. A large bamboo nearby also rustles gently in the breeze.
Behind the pond area is a sensory path. The brave among you can take off your shoes and socks and put on a blindfold. But the sensory effect of the different substrates beneath your feet may also be felt with your shoes on and your eyes open!
In the corner of the sensory path is ‘Hattie’, our decorative pot with a spiky grass growing in his hat. He was chosen to be touchy-feely, as were the furry silver-leaved plants in front of him.
In the opposite corner of the garden is a large tree stump – the remains of a large Western Red Cedar that had to be cut down. The stump has been left to enable people to count the rings and estimate its age. The low evergreen shrub around this stump, with the amazing scent, is the Mint Bush (Prosanthera cuneata), no relation of true mint, and not to be eaten!
A very large sanded log opposite this stump makes a good seat in winter, but not in summer. In summer the attic of the Information Office serves as a maternity roost for hundreds of Pipistrelle bats. Each evening they exit the building by via the eaves above this seat, and in doing so they tend to leave many small ‘calling cards’ on the log!
All around the garden is a double fence enclosing a Fuschia hedge. This is a traditional cottage garden hedging plant in Ireland, although the species originates in South America. The flowers are much appreciated by bees. Within the hedge have been planted three Buddleia bushes – known as the Butterfly Bush, no wildlife garden should be without one. The double fence is to keep the hedge safe from hungry goats. Glendalough has a herd of about 150 feral goats – very impressive creatures, but causing havoc for the native woodlands. The gates of the garden are locked at night for this reason. A peckish goat could eradicate our garden in one night.
Visiting the Garden
The Sensory Garden is open whenever the Information Office is open.
All are welcome. Admission is free.
Children must be accompanied by an adult, and parents of toddlers should be aware that the pond is not totally inaccessible.
Sorry, dogs are not permitted (except guide dogs).