This beautiful space was one of the very first gardens we ever designed and remains a heartfelt favorite. We were blessed to work with Clay, a wonderful and caring soul with a truly one of a kind personality. She was diagnosed with macular degeneration, meaning she will slowly lose her eyesight. She needed a garden that would have a ton of color, texture, sound and fragrance. We catered to her needs and made a sensory garden that will provide comfort and stimulation no matter the condition of her vision.

There were a few different ways for us to bring sound into the space. One was to use a wonderful product called decomposed granite, the crunch under your feet really helps you feel grounded and present. The path winds slightly, helping Clay test her ability to navigate and change direction. Large plants on the curves provide physical guidance. We made sure to use a lot of plants and trees to attract birds, brining a chorus of joy every morning. The addition of Serviceberry and Cherry provide edible food, complimented by Clay’s small vegetable garden.

Color, texture and fragrance were also important. By looking at the garden through squinted eyes, I was able to choose plants that would continue to provide structure over the years. Every color we chose for vibrancy, bright yellows, pinks and chartreuse. The fall color here is astonishing and draws a crowd of spectators. Plants that we used to provide fragrance include a mass of Echinacea, mature Fringe tree, Summersweet, Lavender, Nodding onion, Crabapple and Cimicifuga.

We are so proud of the efforts and partnerships made in our early years of operation. Clay has become a lifelong friend and someone we send a Christmas card to every year. The garden itself has been recognized with multiple nominations for the prestigious Saint Anthony Park Garden Club’s biennial garden tour. Many have made it part of their daily walk to stop by and browse the space, sometimes inviting themselves to walk the path!